Serene Law P.C.

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Canada
Toronto, ON
Serene Law P.C.

A steady hand for the next chapter. Family + Real estate law
Ontario
Legal Aid Certificates Accepted

09/01/2026

As kids head back to school this September, extra expenses can quickly become a point of contention between co-parents.

Under Ontario guidelines, standard base child support is designed to cover routine day-to-day costs like basic groceries, clothes, and school supplies. However, extraordinary items fall under Section 7 expenses.

Section 7 costs generally include:
⚽ Specialized extracurriculars & competitive sports
💻 Mandatory academic technology or private tutoring
🩺 Uninsured medical, dental, or vision care
daycare or after-school care programs

These special expenses are typically shared between parents proportionally based on their respective incomes. Clear communication and updated financial disclosures keep back-to-school stress-free.

08/03/2026

Buying a home with a partner, family member, or friend in the GTA?

You have a critical decision to make on the deed: Joint Tenancy or Tenants in Common?

👥 Joint Tenancy: Features the Right of Survivorship. If one owner passes away, their share automatically transfers to the survivor, bypassing their Will.
📊 Tenants in Common: No right of survivorship. Shares can be unequal (e.g., 70/30) and pass directly into your independent estate upon death.

Discover which co-ownership path fits your goals!

📱(647) 200 2614
📨 [email protected]

08/01/2026

Protecting your future isn't unromantic—it’s smart planning.

In Ontario, married couples and common-law partners have vastly different legal rights regarding property and asset division if the relationship ends. A Marriage Contract or Cohabitation Agreement allows you to define the rules of your financial transparency, rather than leaving it up to statutory defaults.

Start your next chapter with total clarity.

DM us to schedule a confidential consultation.

07/30/2026

One of the most common misconceptions about separation and divorce is that spousal support is a given. 🚫 In reality, it is far from automatic.

When navigating a split, understanding how support is evaluated can save a lot of stress down the road. Here are three core facts everyone should know:

Entitlement First: Before discussing numbers, entitlement must be proven. This is typically looked at through compensatory grounds (e.g., career sacrifices made for the family) or non-compensatory grounds (based on financial need and the means to pay).

The Math Behind It: Courts don't just pull numbers out of thin air. They utilize the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) to determine a fair financial range based on incomes, length of relationship, and other factors.

The Timeline: Support isn’t always forever. As a general rule of thumb, it typically ranges from 6 months to 1 year for every year a couple lived together.

Every family’s dynamic is different, which means every spousal support calculation is unique. Have questions about how these guidelines apply to your situation?

Head to serenelaw.ca to book a strategic consultation with our team.

07/28/2026

Headed to a family law consultation? Let's make sure you're fully prepared to get the answers you need.

Your first meeting is all about understanding your options and setting a clear path forward. To make it as productive as possible, we recommend gathering these four essentials:

Dates: Marriage, separation, cohabitation, and kids' birthdays.

Finances: A quick overview of your current assets and debts.

Paperwork: Any existing agreements, certificates, or court orders.

Priorities: A list of your absolute top questions for our team.

We are here to guide you through the process with clarity, empathy, and professional support.

👉 Save this post for later, and visit serenelaw.ca to book your strategy session.

07/17/2026

Here is a clear, scannable summary of the Joint Tenancy vs. Tenants in Common breakdown to use as a quick reference or a shorter caption alternative:

👥 Joint Tenancy
Ownership Split: Always equal (50/50).

Right of Survivorship: Yes. If one owner passes away, their share automatically transfers to the surviving owner—completely bypassing their Will.

Common Use: Typically preferred by married couples for seamless, automatic asset transfer.

📊 Tenants in Common
Ownership Split: Can be unequal (e.g., 70/30 or 60/40) based on financial contributions.

Right of Survivorship: No. If an owner passes away, their share goes directly to their chosen beneficiaries via their Will, not to the other co-owner.

Common Use: Highly recommended for friends, siblings, business partners, or common-law couples looking to insulate their individual investments.

Build a secure foundation for your real estate goals. Reach out to our real estate team at Serene Law to discuss the best path for your upcoming purchase:
🌐 serenelaw.ca
📞 (647) 200-2614
📥 Or drop us a DM right now!

07/16/2026

Requesting a contract isn’t an indicator that you expect your relationship to fail. Instead, it is a practical exercise in communication, alignment, and financial maturity. A well-structured marriage contract allows couples to enter a lifelong partnership with absolute clarity, ensuring you can focus on building your future together without unexpressed anxieties.

A comprehensive Marriage Contract allows you to:
✨ Define Pre-Marital Assets: Protect separate investments, business interests, or inheritances you're bringing into the marriage.
✨ Address the Matrimonial Home: Clearly establish how the shared property will be treated or divided if things ever change.
✨ Set Clear Support Expectations: Outline parameters regarding potential spousal support to avoid lengthy, stressful litigation down the road.

If you are planning a wedding, give yourselves plenty of time. Marriage contracts should ideally be executed well in advance of the big day to ensure both parties can obtain independent legal advice calmly.

Let’s build your future on a foundation of open communication and transparency.

🌐 serenelaw.ca
📞 (647) 200-2614
📥 Or send us a DM to schedule your consultation!

07/13/2026

Refinancing your mortgage to consolidate debt, lock in a lower rate, or fund a home renovation? It is easy to think of it as just a quick bank transaction, but it actually requires formal legal ex*****on to protect your property's title.

A real estate lawyer is a necessary partner in the process to:
📋 Review mortgage instructions: We break down and verify the specific legal directives sent over by your lender.
🔍 Conduct a thorough title search: We ensure no unexpected historical liens, judgments, or issues block your transaction.
🛑 Discharge your old mortgage: We handle paying off your previous lender in full and officially removing their claim from your property deed.
💼 Disburse your equity: We ensure your new financial funds are securely and accurately routed exactly where they need to go.

At Serene Law, we manage the fine print behind the scenes so you can access your home's equity seamlessly and with total peace of mind.
📞 (647) 200-2614
🌐 serenelaw.ca
📥 Or send us a direct message right here!

07/10/2026

It is tempting to download a generic template online to save money on a separation agreement. However, under Ontario law, a DIY agreement can easily be set aside (thrown out) by a court later if it isn't executed correctly.

For a Separation Agreement to be legally binding and resilient, it must have:
✔️ Full and frank financial disclosure from both sides.
✔️ Formal signing witnessed properly.
✔️ Independent Legal Advice (ILA) for both parties.

Without ILA, one party can later claim they didn't understand what they were signing, rendering your entire agreement void. Save yourself future stress by doing it right the first time.

Contact Serene Law today to draft a comprehensive agreement that protects your long-term interests.

07/08/2026

Saved up your down payment? Excellent. But don’t forget to budget for the "closing costs" required to cross the finish line.

In Ontario, buyers should budget an additional 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price for these expenses:
1. Land Transfer Tax (LTT): Provincial LTT applies to all of Ontario, but if you’re buying in Toronto proper, you’ll also pay an additional Municipal LTT. (First-time buyers may qualify for rebates!)
2. Legal Fees & Disbursements: Covers title searches, registrations, and professional legal representation.
3. Title Insurance: A necessary one-time fee to protect against fraud and zoning defects.
4. Property Tax/Utility Adjustments: Reimbursing the seller if they prepaid expenses past closing day.

Avoid surprises on closing day. Contact Serene Law for a transparent statement of adjustments so you know exactly what to expect.

Have questions about an upcoming purchase? Let our real estate team guide you safely home.

📞 (647) 200 2614
📧 [email protected]
🌐 serenelaw.ca

Address

105/305 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B3V4

Website

https://serenelaw.ca/

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