A separation agreement is a contract. Court is a public process with a judge. Most Ontario family files should end in the first. The second exists for urgency, safety and people who will not disclose or negotiate in good faith.
We are settlement-first and court-ready. The consultation tells you which path your facts actually need.
| Topic | Separation agreement | Family court |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Private — the agreement is not a public court file | Court filings are part of a court record |
| Speed | Measured in weeks to a few months when both sides engage | Tied to the court calendar |
| Cost | Often flat-quoted for drafting and independent legal advice | Hourly, because the other side and the court control the pace |
| Enforceability | Support terms can be filed with the court and the Family Responsibility Office | Orders are enforceable; parenting and support have established enforcement routes |
| Flexibility | You design the terms, including review clauses | A judge decides within the statutes |
Choose Separation agreement when
- Both sides will exchange disclosure
- The children need a plan more than a fight
- You want the cheapest durable result
Choose Family court when
- There is urgency or a safety concern
- Disclosure is being hidden
- A limitation period is running