Gene C Colman

Personal: As a father of seven children, and grandfather to many, I realize how essential it is for children to have significant contact and input from both parents. A divorce should not mean that one parent becomes cut off from the children.

Multi Jurisdiction: Divorces and other family law cases that involve more than one jurisdiction is an area of practice where our firm has experience.  I discuss issues with Ontario and international aspects here.

Child Abduction: Where child abduction between counties is an issue, one must consider The Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a multilateral treaty that establishes proceedings for the prompt return of children who have been wrongfully removed or kept away from their home country.  Canada is a signatory to this Convention along with many other states.  But some countries have not adhered to the Convention, and we have experience there as well.

Residence: Some international family law matters involve complex issues of residence, and one must consider which property regime is to be properly applied and if there is an arguable choice of jurisdiction issue, then your Canadian lawyer must be able to work well with the lawyer in the other country to first of all determine where the client is best off.

Two levels of government in Canada: In Canada, family law jurisdiction is divided between the federal government and the provincial and territorial governments.  For my firm to be involved, your case must have a connection to Ontario.  My firm handles cases throughout the province.

Practice Focus: I have for years advocated:

• against gender inequality;
• against parental alienation (resist / refuse);
• against procedural unfairness; and,
• on behalf of a legislated presumption for Equal Shared Parenting.

After more than 44 years as a family law lawyer, I find that I do best for clients who have challenging situations of fact and/or law. I welcome complex cases, particularly meritorious appeals on points of law.

Demonstrated Commitment: In September 2018, I was named as the FDRIO (Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario) member of the month.  I have been front and centre in the campaign to improve access to family law justice in Ontario during and post Covid.  I am a founding member of Lawyers for Shared Parenting.  I am a founding editor of the Canadian Journal of Family Law.

The Consultation explanation page at the firm’s website is here.