Separating in Ontario involves two sets of rules. The federal Divorce Act governs the divorce itself, along with parenting and support, while Ontario’s Family Law Act decides how property is shared through the equalization of net family property. This guide profiles 10 divorce and family lawyers serving Markham, Unionville, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, and the rest of York Region. Each firm was evaluated on how much of its practice is devoted to family law, its experience with equalization, support, and parenting disputes, whether it offers mediation or collaborative practice, and how often its lawyers appear in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket.
When comparing options, ask three practical questions. First, does the lawyer practise family law exclusively, or is it one of many practice areas? Second, is the firm better suited to negotiated settlements, collaborative practice, or contested litigation, and which does your situation need? Third, how is billing handled, and are unbundled or fixed-fee services available? This is not a ranked or sponsored list. Firm details were drawn from each firm’s own website, legal directories such as Best Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, Lawyerinfo.ca, and Three Best Rated, and public business listings.
1. Feldstein Family Law Group P.C.
- Key Lawyers: Andrew Feldstein, Founder; Jeffrey S. Hart, Managing Partner; Daphna Schwartz; Anna Troitschanski; Veronica Yeung
- Headquarters: 20 Crown Steel Dr, Suite 8, Markham, ON L3R 9X9 (additional offices in Vaughan, Mississauga, and Oakville)
- Phone: (289) 907-0977
- Website: separation.ca
- Practice Areas: Divorce and Separation, Property Division and Equalization, Child and Spousal Support, Parenting Time and Decision-Making, Separation Agreements, Marriage and Cohabitation Agreements, Mediation and Arbitration, International Child Abduction
- Firm Size: Family law firm founded in 1994 with eleven family law lawyers across four GTA offices
- Practice Area Page: Markham Divorce Lawyers
- Social & Professional Profiles: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
Andrew Feldstein graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1992 and founded Feldstein Family Law Group in 1994. The firm has since grown into one of York Region’s largest family law practices, with eleven lawyers who practise family law exclusively across offices in Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, and Oakville. Feldstein practised corporate and commercial law before focusing on family law, and he still works with the firm’s lawyers on the financial side of their files, which is a real advantage when a separation involves a business, investment holdings, or a complicated equalization calculation. He has also been through a divorce himself, and the firm says that experience shapes how it treats clients going through one.
The team includes managing partner Jeffrey S. Hart, Daphna Schwartz, who has practised family law since her 2005 call to the bar, and Anna Troitschanski, who joined the firm in 2012 after practising at a Newmarket family law boutique. The firm’s lawyers discuss active files together every morning, so each client benefits from the group’s collective experience. Feldstein offers a free initial consultation and unbundled services for people who want help with only part of their case, and it has won the Top Choice Award for Family Law Services in Markham every year since 2007. Clients describe the lawyers as calm, professional, and supportive, and its Markham office sits just off Warden Avenue north of Highway 407, convenient to the Newmarket courthouse.
2. Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers
- Key Lawyers: Russell Alexander, Founder and Senior Partner
- Markham Office: 675 Cochrane Dr, East Tower, 6th Floor, Markham, ON L3R 0B8 (offices across Ontario and Alberta)
- Phone: (289) 204-0455
- Website: russellalexander.com
- Practice Areas: Separation and Divorce, Collaborative Family Law, Mediation, Child and Spousal Support, Property Division, Parenting Time and Decision-Making, Cohabitation and Separation Agreements
- Firm Size: Multi-office family law firm founded in 1998
- Practice Area Page: Practice Areas
Russell Alexander founded his firm in 1998 and has more than 25 years of family law experience. The firm practises family law exclusively and has been a leader in collaborative practice, a structured settlement process in which both spouses and their lawyers commit to resolving the case without going to court.
With a large team of lawyers and offices across Ontario and Alberta, the firm can handle everything from straightforward separations to complex property disputes. Its Markham office is in the Trillium Executive Centre on Cochrane Drive, and it holds a 4.9-star Google rating. Clients should ask which lawyer will handle their file, since the firm’s size means work may be shared across a team.
3. Horra Family Law
- Key Lawyers: Ritu Horra, Owner and Managing Partner; Reena Horra, Partner
- Headquarters: 500 Hood Rd, Suite 400, Markham, ON L3R 9Z3
- Phone: (416) 840-1475
- Website: horrafamilylaw.com
- Practice Areas: Divorce, Collaborative Family Law, Mediation, Child Custody and Support, Spousal Support, Marriage Contracts, Property Division
- Firm Size: Family law boutique founded by two sisters
- Practice Area Page: Practices
Horra Family Law was founded by sisters Ritu and Reena Horra with a family-first approach to separation and divorce. Ritu Horra, the owner and managing partner, has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada for family law since 2021.
The firm emphasizes keeping clients informed about their rights, responsibilities, and options, and both lawyers are trained in collaborative family law. It serves Markham’s multicultural community with services in multiple languages, and it holds a 4.8-star Google rating across more than 180 reviews.
4. Law Office of Jean-Pierre Ung
- Key Lawyers: Jean-Pierre Ung, Founder
- Headquarters: 18 Crown Steel Dr, Suite 303, Markham, ON L3R 9X8
- Phone: (905) 554-8383
- Website: jpung.com
- Practice Areas: Family Law, Divorce, Collaborative Family Law, Wills and Estates, Civil Litigation
- Firm Size: Boutique practice founded in 2010 by a lawyer called to the bar in 2001
- Practice Area Page: Services
Jean-Pierre Ung completed his Honours BA at the University of Toronto in 1996 and his law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School in 1999, and he was called to the Ontario bar in 2001. After becoming a partner at a Markham firm in 2003, he founded his own office in 2010 to offer more personal and affordable service.
His primary focus today is family law and wills and estates, and he is trained in collaborative family law. He deals with clients directly rather than delegating to staff and takes a settlement-oriented approach. Born in Vietnam and raised in France, he serves clients in English, French, and Vietnamese, and his office holds a 5.0-star Google rating.
5. SorbaraLAW
- Key Lawyers: Family law team at the Markham office
- Markham Office: 8789 Woodbine Ave, Suite 111, Markham, ON (offices also in Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, and Fergus)
- Phone: (365) 509-2029
- Website: sorbaralaw.com
- Practice Areas: Family Law, Divorce and Separation, Child and Spousal Support, Property Division, Wills and Estates, Business Law, Immigration
- Firm Size: One of Ontario’s larger full-service regional law firms
- Practice Area Page: Personal Clients
SorbaraLAW is one of Ontario’s larger full-service regional firms, with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Fergus, and Markham. Its family law group handles separation, divorce, support, and property division, and the firm has been actively growing its Markham family law team.
The firm’s full-service model is useful when a separation involves a business, real estate holdings, or estate planning, since corporate, tax, and estates lawyers are available under the same roof. It also offers Chinese-language services. Its Markham office holds a 5.0-star Google rating, though prospective clients should confirm which family lawyer will be handling their matter.
6. Bani Family Law P.C.
- Key Lawyers: Shelly Banihashemi, Founder
- Headquarters: 500 Hood Rd, Suite 400, Markham, ON L3R 9Z3
- Phone: (647) 551-2264
- Website: banilaw.ca
- Practice Areas: Divorce and Separation, Collaborative Family Law, Parenting Time and Decision-Making, Child and Spousal Support, Property Division
- Firm Size: Family law boutique founded in 2021
- Practice Area Page: Divorce and Family Law
Shelly Banihashemi founded Bani Family Law in 2021 to provide personalized, compassionate representation focused exclusively on family law. Clients describe her as organized, realistic, and efficient, and they note that she looks for practical solutions rather than steering every case toward court.
The firm serves Markham and Richmond Hill and has become a trusted resource for the Persian-speaking community, offering multilingual service. It holds a 4.9-star Google rating, and its office at 500 Hood Road is convenient to Highway 404 and the 407.
7. Jagtoo & Jagtoo, Professional Corporation
- Key Lawyers: James Jagtoo, Founder; Frances Jagtoo
- Headquarters: 3601 Highway 7 East, Suite 1007, Markham, ON L3R 0M3
- Phone: (905) 604-6655
- Website: jjlaw.ca
- Practice Areas: Family Law, Divorce, Separation Agreements, Employment Law, Civil Litigation
- Firm Size: Family-run boutique established in 1991
- Practice Area Page: Family Law
Jagtoo & Jagtoo was established in 1991 by James Jagtoo and is a true family practice, made up of a father, daughter, and son. The firm advises clients in Toronto, Markham, and the GTA on family law and employment law, a combination that is helpful when a separation coincides with a job loss or a dispute over employment income.
Frances Jagtoo, a member of the Canadian Bar Association and Ontario Bar Association, is frequently praised in client reviews for her dedication. The firm holds a 5.0-star Google rating, and its office is in Markham’s Liberty Square complex on Highway 7.
8. Kazandji Law
- Key Lawyers: Fadi Matthew Kazandji, Founder
- Headquarters: 7191 Yonge St, Suite 310, Thornhill, ON L3T 0C7
- Phone: (647) 697-5975
- Website: kazandjilaw.com
- Practice Areas: Divorce, Separation, Child Custody, Prenuptial Agreements, Criminal Defence
- Firm Size: Family law and criminal defence practice
- Practice Area Page: Family Law
Kazandji Law, led by Fadi Matthew Kazandji, practises family law and criminal defence from its office on Yonge Street in Thornhill, just west of Markham. The firm offers a free initial consultation and handles divorce, separation, custody, and prenuptial agreements.
The combination of family and criminal practice is particularly relevant where a separation involves allegations of domestic assault or a criminal charge that affects parenting time. The firm holds a 4.9-star Google rating across more than 400 reviews. Because family law is one of two practice areas, clients should confirm the lawyer’s family law experience in the Newmarket court.
9. Anthony Family Law
- Key Lawyers: David Anthony, Family Lawyer
- Headquarters: 1 West Pearce St, Suite 505, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K3
- Phone: (647) 933-2397
- Website: anthonylaw.ca
- Practice Areas: Divorce, Parenting Agreements, Child and Spousal Support, Property Division, Separation Agreements
- Firm Size: Family law practice established in 2010
- Practice Area Page: Family Law
Anthony Family Law has served York Region since 2010 from its office in Richmond Hill, just across Highway 7 from Markham. The firm begins every file with a view to resolving the dispute quickly, fairly, and cost-effectively, an approach that suits clients who want to avoid prolonged litigation.
Clients praise David Anthony and the firm’s lawyers for their help with parenting agreements and support matters, and the firm offers a free case evaluation. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating.
10. Nussbaum Family & Divorce Lawyers
- Key Lawyers: Barry Nussbaum, Founder
- North York Office: 4950 Yonge St, Suite 801, North York, ON (offices across the GTA and Hamilton)
- Phone: (647) 557-9698
- Website: nussbaumlaw.ca
- Practice Areas: Divorce and Separation, Child Custody and Support, Spousal Support, Property Division, Domestic Contracts, Divorce Mediation, Estate Litigation
- Firm Size: Family law firm founded in 2008 with six GTA locations
- Practice Area Page: Family Law Services
Barry Nussbaum is a member of both the Ontario and New York bars and holds a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, a background that helps with the financial side of separation. His firm has helped families through divorce, custody disputes, and property division since 2008 and says it has guided more than 1,000 families through divorce.
The firm offers a free case review, multilingual service, and six locations across the GTA, and it has one of the largest review profiles of any family law firm in the region, with a 4.8-star rating across more than 1,100 Google reviews. Its nearest office to Markham is in North York, so clients should confirm where meetings will take place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to be separated before getting a divorce in Ontario?
Under section 8 of the Divorce Act, the most common ground for divorce is a breakdown of the marriage shown by the spouses living separate and apart for at least one year. Divorces can also be granted on the grounds of adultery or cruelty, but these are rarely used. You do not have to wait a year to resolve parenting, support, and property issues; those can be addressed in a separation agreement or court order right away.
How is property divided in an Ontario divorce?
Ontario does not divide every asset in half. Instead, under section 5 of the Family Law Act, each spouse calculates their “net family property,” the increase in their net worth during the marriage, and the spouse with the higher amount generally pays the other half the difference, known as an equalization payment. The matrimonial home receives special treatment even if one spouse owned it before the marriage.
Is there a deadline to claim an equalization payment?
Yes. Under section 7(3) of the Family Law Act, an application for equalization must generally be brought within the earliest of two years after a divorce is granted or six years after the date of separation. Missing these deadlines can mean losing the claim entirely, which is why lawyers such as the team at Feldstein Family Law Group recommend getting advice early.
How is child support calculated in Ontario?
Child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines for divorcing parents, which set a base amount based on the paying parent’s income and the number of children. Parents may also share special or extraordinary expenses such as childcare, medical costs, and post-secondary education in proportion to their incomes. Spousal support is calculated differently, often with reference to the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines.
Where are Markham divorces heard?
Family cases for Markham residents are heard at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket, which serves York Region. Before a case conference in most contested family cases, both parties must attend a Mandatory Information Program session that explains the court process and alternatives such as mediation.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Markham?
Most Markham family lawyers bill hourly and require a retainer, with costs depending on how contested the case is and whether property or parenting issues are complex. Uncontested divorces and negotiated separation agreements can cost far less than litigation. Some firms offer unbundled services, where you pay for help with only part of the case, or collaborative practice, which can reduce costs by keeping the matter out of court. Ask each firm for a written estimate and a clear explanation of its billing practices.
Disclaimer: This guide to Markham divorce lawyers is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a lawyer referral. This is not a ranked or sponsored list, and inclusion does not imply an endorsement by, or affiliation with, any named family law firm beyond what is stated. Lawyer credentials, case results, and contact details change over time; please confirm current information directly with each firm before making a hiring decision. Past results described here do not guarantee similar outcomes in any other divorce case.
