Family Law and Litigation Support In Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, Halton, Toronto & Surrounding Areas
We provide family law lawyers and their clients with business valuations for the purpose of equalization and income reports for support (child/spousal).
Unfortunately, when matrimonial differences seem insurmountable, experts in negotiations, arbitration and mediation are asked to step in and help the separating parties.
When emotions are high, the value of possessions and resources can be misrepresented by the involved parties. Engaging a valuations team when a family business is involved is vital to completing a fair equalization of this asset.
Our CBV designation is recognized by the courts. When working on complex cases, we are able to distill information and make it easily understandable to assist the parties, counsel and the court in understanding the financial aspects of the conflict giving rise to the legal matter.
We equip our clients’ legal counsel with the knowledge required to effectively negotiate their way to a resolution or settlement.
Do you need to understand your business value for matrimonial or income support purposes?
Our team of Chartered Business Valuators are well versed in the financial and legal requirements surrounding these matters, and are here to make sure that you have a fair and objective valuation.
Our Family Law and Litigation Support Services:
Family Law Support
SB Partners offers objective, expert and professional valuation services to help families move forward.
Our Family Law Support services include:
- Valuations of stock options and businesses for the equalization of net family property
- Determining tax liabilities and selling costs related to businesses or other assets for consideration in the equalization of net family property
- Income analysis for the purposes of determining support payments in accordance with the appropriate child and/or spousal support guidelines
SB Partners is often jointly retained by both parties involved in separation or divorce in order to avoid “duelling experts”. This often paves the way for cost savings in an already costly life event.
Expert Guidance in Collaborative Family Law
Collaborative practice is a means of resolving legal marital disputes without judges, magistrates or courts, often using a team of professionals (including financial, mental health and legal professionals) to guide separating or divorcing couples to achieve balanced and lasting agreements.
When clients and lawyers have agreed not to go to court but to reach a settlement, they often choose to engage in a collaborative practice resolution.
SB Partners is part of collaborative family law groups and works with clients and other professionals to help reach a settlement in a more cost-effective, respectful manner than expensive litigation. We often work with both lawyers and clients to assist the clients in determining mutually acceptable solutions.
When to Involve a Valuation Expert
Many family law matters require a valuation expert to ensure fair financial disclosure. Common scenarios include:
- Determining the fair market value of a business or investment.
- Assessing stock options, restricted stock units, or shareholdings as part of net family property.
- Preparing income reports for child or spousal support calculations.
We simplify complex financial data, providing clear reports that assist legal counsel and courts in understanding the financial implications of each case.
FAQs
As part of compensation, employees often receive stock options/restricted stock units or shares. In the event of divorce, these assets are often required to be valued as part of the equalization of net family property or can have an impact on the determination of income available for support.
In most cases, the litigation has started. Either the client knows or their lawyer/court tells them they have to get a valuation or other expert report to ensure they have the appropriate valuation-related expertise supporting the matter.
In family law litigation, a person needs to have a valuation to determine the fair market values of their assets and liabilities for equalization purposes. Income reports are often required when a business is involved, as it is not always clear from a person’s tax return what their income might be.
Yes, “dispute advisory service” is a relevant and appropriate term to use in relation to litigation and support services. This term encompasses a broader range of services and can include various aspects of providing professional advice and support during legal disputes and litigation.
Collaborative practice and mediation services are related concepts, but they are not exactly the same thing. They both involve alternative dispute resolution methods, but they have distinct approaches and processes.
Collaborative practice refers to a method of resolving disputes in a non-adversarial manner. It is often used in family law, but it can also apply to other areas. In collaborative practice, each party is represented by their own lawyer and all parties, along with their attorneys, agree to work together to find mutually acceptable solutions.
While mediation is another form of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral third party, the mediator, facilitates discussions between the disputing parties. The mediator’s role is to help the parties communicate effectively, understand each other’s perspectives, and reach a voluntary agreement.
1. Expert Testimony: Litigation support professionals can provide expert testimony in court. Their expertise can help explain complex financial matters to judges.
2. Strategic Guidance: Litigation support professionals offer strategic insights to attorneys, helping them build a stronger case. They can identify key financial points to focus on, assess the strengths and weaknesses of financial arguments, and contribute to case strategy development.
3. Valuation Services: For cases involving business disputes, divorce, or estate matters, litigation support professionals can conduct thorough valuations of assets, businesses, or properties to determine fair values.
4. Credibility and Neutrality: Their objective and unbiased perspective adds credibility to the financial analysis, making the presented information more persuasive to opposing parties, judges, and juries.
5. Alternative Dispute Resolution: In addition to court proceedings, litigation support can be crucial in mediation or arbitration settings, assisting parties in reaching mutually agreeable resolutions.
Meet Our Family Law and Litigation Support Experts
Get in touch with us
Do you have a question for SB Partners? Need help to understand your business financials or value? We’re here to help with all of your accounting needs, please get in touch today.
Email us at help@sbpartners.ca or give us a call at 905-632-5978 or toll-free at 1-866-823-9990.
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