Darlene Rites, Family Law Lawyer & Mediator

Darlene Rites, Family Law Lawyer & Mediator Darlene is a family law lawyer and mediator experienced in the resolution of all family law matters.

She assists clients resolve family law disputes in a sensible and efficient manner using a variety of approaches.

Two years ago, Rites Law opened its doors with a clear purpose: to support clients through some of life's most difficult...
05/27/2026

Two years ago, Rites Law opened its doors with a clear purpose: to support clients through some of life's most difficult moments with care, clarity and genuine attention.

We're grateful for every client who has placed their trust in us, and for the privilege of doing work that matters.

Here's to the next chapter — and to everyone who lets us be part of theirs. ✨
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For many women, a grey divorce means revisiting every financial decision made during a marriage, with less time to recov...
05/20/2026

For many women, a grey divorce means revisiting every financial decision made during a marriage, with less time to recover and more at stake than ever before.

The financial complexity is real. So are the legal protections most people don't understand they have.

✅ Know your rights
Ontario's Family Law Act provides more protection than many people realize. A married spouse is generally entitled to an equal share of family property, including the matrimonial home, regardless of whose name is on title, as well as a share of retirement savings and pensions. Depending on the length of the marriage and the income gap between spouses, significant spousal support may also apply.

✅ Build a post-divorce budget
A divorce will change your financial picture, particularly if your spouse managed money matters during the relationship. Start by listing all sources of income, including any equalization payment or ongoing spousal support, alongside your debts and regular expenses. That gives you a realistic baseline for housing and living costs going forward.

✅ Revise your retirement plan
A fresh retirement plan needs to account for your newly single status. That might mean working longer to hit your financial targets or to retain access to benefits. Decisions like when to take CPP or how to draw down your RRSP have real tax implications, and a financial advisor can help you sequence them well.

The choices made during a grey divorce tend to follow you. Getting them right is worth the effort.

If you're navigating a grey divorce, understanding your legal entitlements is the place to start. What the law provides and what feels fair don't always line up, and that gap can be significant.

A history of domestic violence shouldn't be a bar to mediation.Many lawyers and mediators are understandably wary of cas...
05/13/2026

A history of domestic violence shouldn't be a bar to mediation.

Many lawyers and mediators are understandably wary of cases involving controlling behaviour, domestic violence, or a significant power imbalance between parties. The concerns are legitimate, whether the history is past or ongoing.

In some situations, a court order may be the only path to resolution. But there is a strong case for making mediation available to any couple willing and able to try it.

In the right circumstances, it can help parties reach a settlement with far less financial and emotional disruption than litigation.

That said, everyone involved, including the lawyers, clients and mediator, needs to proceed carefully. The right safeguards need to be established before the process begins.

Two approaches can make mediation viable in these situations:

➡️ Online mediation: One of the key advantages of mediation over litigation is flexibility. Conducting the process online eliminates the need for in-person interaction, reducing opportunities for intimidation or conflict before, during, and after sessions.

➡️ Shuttle mediation: If the mediation is happening in person, it can be structured so that parties arrive separately and never share a room. In shuttle mediation, there are no joint sessions. The mediator moves between locations, facilitating discussions between parties who are never required to communicate directly with one another.

Litigation has a fixed format. Mediation can be structured around the needs and safety of the people involved. That flexibility is what makes it worth considering, even in the most difficult cases.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, we’re reflecting on the many ways people show up as mothers.For those adjusting to ...
05/08/2026

With Mother’s Day around the corner, we’re reflecting on the many ways people show up as mothers.

For those adjusting to new routines and reshaping what family looks like, we see how much you're holding, even when it goes unnoticed.

Wishing you a day that feels like it's truly yours.

Happy Mother's Day from all of us at Rites Law.

After 26 years of marriage, a wife turned to the court for protection after her husband threatened to allow creditors in...
05/05/2026

After 26 years of marriage, a wife turned to the court for protection after her husband threatened to allow creditors into the family home.

Her husband, a former chartered professional accountant now facing allegations of running a Ponzi scheme, was alleged to have defrauded multiple victims, including his wife. After their separation in September 2025, creditors and process servers began appearing at the home following media reports about the scheme.

She went to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice seeking a restraining order under s. 46 of the Family Law Act (FLA), citing emotional and psychological abuse, threats, and concerns for her safety. Although the judge accepted that the wife feared for her safety, he declined to impose a restraining order, noting that they are ""not to be granted lightly,"" even if there is some evidence of a history of psychological or financial abuse.

Based on the history of this case, he wrote that he could not reasonably conclude that the wife's safety was at risk.

What the court did grant was a non-contact order under s. 47.1 of the FLA, which prohibited the husband from coming within 200 metres of the former matrimonial home, the wife's place of work, or any other place where she is known to be. The 14-day order can be extended on consent or by a further order of the court.

If you're navigating something similar, don't assume that fear alone will meet the legal test for a restraining order. There are other tools available to the court. Understanding which one applies to your situation, and how to ask for it, is where good legal advice is essential.

Case reference: Lipson v. Rosenthal, 2026 ONSC 184

When it comes to spousal support, an “indefinite” order doesn’t always mean forever. In long-term relationships — typica...
04/29/2026

When it comes to spousal support, an “indefinite” order doesn’t always mean forever.

In long-term relationships — typically 20 years or more — courts often make spousal support orders without a fixed end date.

But that doesn’t mean the obligation will never change.

Over time, support can be varied or even terminated, depending on how circumstances evolve.

So, when will a court revisit a spousal support order?

WHEN IT WILL:
Courts may consider a change where there has been a “material change” in circumstances since the original order. This generally means a significant shift — such as job loss, retirement or a substantial change in income — that affects a party’s ability to pay or need for support.

WHEN IT WON'T:
A reduction or termination will not be based on a self-inflicted drop in income. Courts can review financial history and may impute income where a party is intentionally under-employed or failing to disclose earnings.

WHEN IT MIGHT:
Some agreements include review provisions that trigger a reassessment at a future date or upon specific events — such as retirement or remarriage. Even then, any change is not automatic and depends on the circumstances at the time.

An indefinite order provides flexibility, but not certainty.

And any change will depend on what can be proven.

Litigation isn’t the only path through separation.For many couples, going to court has long been the default. But that’s...
04/24/2026

Litigation isn’t the only path through separation.

For many couples, going to court has long been the default. But that’s changing.

As more people become aware of mediation, they’re choosing a process that can offer greater flexibility, privacy and control.

There is — and always will be — a role for litigation in family law.

But for those who want to resolve issues outside the courtroom, mediation can offer meaningful advantages:

1️⃣ Communication and relationship dynamics
Litigation can intensify conflict. Mediation, by contrast, encourages collaboration — which can be especially important for co-parents navigating an ongoing relationship.

2️⃣ Cost
Mediation is often a more cost-effective option than a prolonged court process.

3️⃣ Tailored solutions
Rather than relying on court-imposed outcomes, mediation allows parties to reach agreements that reflect their specific circumstances.

4️⃣ Confidentiality
Court proceedings are generally public. Mediation takes place in private, allowing for more open and candid discussions.

5️⃣ Timing
Court schedules can be delayed. Mediation often allows families to resolve issues more quickly and move forward sooner.

This is where perspective matters.

The best process is the one that fits the situation — and for many, mediation offers a more constructive way forward.

Think common-law couples split everything 50/50? Think again.In Ontario, there’s no automatic framework for dividing pro...
04/22/2026

Think common-law couples split everything 50/50? Think again.

In Ontario, there’s no automatic framework for dividing property when a common-law relationship ends.

That surprises a lot of people.

The Family Law Act sets out clear rules for married spouses — but it does not apply the same way to common-law couples.

That leaves many separating partners navigating a legal grey area.

Swipe through to understand how property, debts and housing are treated when common-law relationships break down.

This is where many people get caught off guard.

What feels “fair” isn’t always what the law provides.

Divorce doesn’t just end a relationship — it can reset your financial future.For many, retirement planning takes a back ...
04/15/2026

Divorce doesn’t just end a relationship — it can reset your financial future.

For many, retirement planning takes a back seat during separation.

Assets are divided. Expenses shift. Long-term plans can feel uncertain.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

A recent Investopedia article outlines practical steps to help you regain control:

1️⃣ Build an emergency fund
Aim for a 3–6 month cushion to cover unexpected expenses during the transition.

2️⃣ Pay yourself first
Automate contributions to your RRSP or other savings to rebuild momentum.

3️⃣ Reset your lifestyle
Adjusting to a single income takes time. Tracking spending early helps keep things on track.

4️⃣ Address debt
Reducing high-interest debt can free up cash flow for long-term goals.

5️⃣ Understand property division
The value of shared assets — especially retirement accounts — isn’t always straightforward. Legal guidance can help clarify your position.

6️⃣ Check in regularly
Revisit your retirement timeline and adjust as needed to stay aligned with your goals.

This is where many people get stuck.

Divorce can disrupt your plans, but it doesn’t have to define them.

Full financial disclosure is not optional in family law.One Ontario case shows exactly what can happen when a party refu...
04/08/2026

Full financial disclosure is not optional in family law.

One Ontario case shows exactly what can happen when a party refuses to provide it.

At trial, the husband failed to disclose key financial information about a family business he owned with his father and brother. He also ignored court orders requiring proof of his income and assets.

The court didn’t wait.

The judge struck his pleadings — effectively removing his ability to participate — and allowed the case to proceed based solely on the wife’s evidence.

The outcome was significant.

The husband was ordered to pay child support backdated to 2016, based on an imputed annual income of $80,000, along with a $507,000 equalization payment.

He appealed.

But the Court of Appeal upheld the decision in full, finding that each of the issues he raised stemmed from his own failure to meet his disclosure obligations.

“The trial judge necessarily relied on the evidence marshalled by the [wife]. Having failed in his obligation to provide a proper valuation of Ishan or to provide documents in relation to his income and assets, it is too late for the [husband] to rely on a single document to suggest that the trial judge ought to have concluded that [the family business]…had no value on the valuation date,” the decision reads.

This is where many cases turn.

When one party does not provide full and timely disclosure, courts have the authority to draw adverse conclusions — and to proceed without them.

The consequences can be difficult to reverse.

Case reference: Daud v. Temor, 2026 ONCA 83

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