Business Details
38 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Family Law Services in Waterloo, Ontario
Jane McKenzie Family Law has provided dedicated legal representation in family law matters since 1988. Our practice focuses on divorce proceedings, child custody arrangements, child support determinations, and emergency family law motions. We offer flexible appointment options including remote consultations and after-hours availability to accommodate clients' needs during challenging times. Our approach emphasizes cost-effective solutions through limited scope retainers while maintaining full case representation when required. With decades of experience navigating Ontario's family court system, we prioritize client education and proactive legal strategies to achieve favorable outcomes.Our office maintains strict non-discrimination policies and treats all clients with equal respect and professionalism. We specialize in handling complex parenting time disputes, mobility rights issues, and child protection cases involving Children's Aid Societies. Our services include document preparation, court representation, and legal guidance tailored to each client's unique circumstances. We remain current with evolving family law precedents, particularly regarding pandemic-related custody challenges and virtual court proceedings. Our commitment to accessibility extends to transparent communication about service limitations and formal retainer requirements.
Services
Divorce Representation
Child Custody
Child Support
Emergency Motions
Document Preparation
Mobility Rights
Child Protection Cases
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We offer over 35 years of family law experience since 1988
- We provide limited scope retainers for cost-effective solutions
- Our flexible hours include remote appointments after regular business hours
- We maintain strict non-discrimination policies across all client interactions
- Our practice adapts to evolving legal precedents including pandemic-related rulings
Services
Divorce Representation
Comprehensive legal support for contested and uncontested divorce proceedings. Our experienced attorneys guide clients through property division, spousal support negotiations, and court filings. We prioritize amicable resolutions while maintaining aggressive representation when necessary, ensuring compliance with Ontario's Family Law Act.
Child Custody
Specialized guidance for custody arrangements including joint, shared, and sole custody models. We help establish parenting plans that serve children's best interests while protecting parental rights. Our practice addresses relocation cases, access disputes, and pandemic-related custody challenges under evolving legal precedents.
Child Support
Expert analysis of child support obligations using federal and provincial guidelines. We assist with initial determinations, modification requests, and enforcement actions. Our services include income assessment, special expense allocations, and preparation of formal support agreements tailored to each family's financial circumstances.
Emergency Motions
Immediate legal intervention for critical family law issues requiring court attention. We handle restraining orders, custody emergencies, and child protection matters through expedited processes. Our team navigates pandemic-era virtual court protocols to secure timely resolutions for clients facing urgent family law crises.
Document Preparation
Professional preparation of family law documents including separation agreements, court filings, and custody arrangements. We ensure all paperwork meets legal standards while offering limited scope retainers for clients seeking specific document assistance without full representation.
People
Jane McKenzie
Family Law Attorney
Licensed since 1988, Jane McKenzie specializes in family law with focus on divorce, child custody, and support matters. She graduated from Queen's Law School in 1985 and has dedicated her practice to helping Ontario families navigate legal challenges with compassion and practical solutions.
Questions
What family law services do you specialize in?
We specialize in divorce proceedings, child custody arrangements, child support determinations, emergency motions, and document preparation for family law matters.
Do you offer remote consultations?
Yes, we provide remote appointments via phone or video conference including after regular business hours and weekends.
How do emergency family law motions work?
Emergency motions require court triage screening. We help prepare necessary documentation and represent clients in urgent custody, support, or protection matters needing immediate judicial attention.
What are limited scope retainers?
These allow clients to purchase specific legal services like document review or court appearances without full case representation, offering cost flexibility.
How are child custody decisions made?
Courts consider the child's best interests, existing parenting arrangements, and each parent's ability to provide care. We explain evolving legal standards and help establish appropriate custody frameworks.
Reviews (7)
Curtis Grant
Feb 21, 2021
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One of the worse lawyer in town,please avoid from going there, she very unprofessional on every levels.
Robin Hearn
Jan 31, 2021
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I highly recommend Jane. She is efficient, matter of fact with a wealth of experience. Her attention to detail is remarkable. I have been very pleased with the service and knowledge she has provided.
Tasha Jackson
Oct 10, 2020
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Wouldn't even give her one star, absolutely horrible. Quit on me the DAY before my court hearing. Wouldnt ever recommend her to anyone. Absolutely unorganized.
John Stopford
Sep 23, 2020
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The best ways i can describe our experience with Jane begin with "in". Inept, inefficient, ineffective, insulting, intolerable.
Asked for the same details many times. Chronically disorganized and truly unable to discuss anything at the appropriate time. She was insulting and rude to my wife and then had the temerity to tell me how one speaks with a lawyer, as if she isn't a contracted service provider. Avoid her, your money and time is best spent elsewhere. She is, unfortunately, a lawyer. In much the same way as McDonald's is, unfortunately a restaurant: perhaps convenient, lower cost, but
Asked for the same details many times. Chronically disorganized and truly unable to discuss anything at the appropriate time. She was insulting and rude to my wife and then had the temerity to tell me how one speaks with a lawyer, as if she isn't a contracted service provider. Avoid her, your money and time is best spent elsewhere. She is, unfortunately, a lawyer. In much the same way as McDonald's is, unfortunately a restaurant: perhaps convenient, lower cost, but
Leslie Lee
Jun 15, 2020
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Jane is very thorough and is really good on her follow ups. I am very pleased with what I have seen in regards to her efficacy.
Snooky Martin
Jun 03, 2020
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When my fianc was going through a custody battle back in 2010/2011 Jane did not represent him properly at all. She would be little ,him yell at him over the phone get, and get frustrated when he told her what he wanted. This was the first time ever going to court to even had a agreement made up. She pretty much forced him into signing a horrible court agreement because he was 21yrs old at the time and didn't know better and when he spoke up she would yell at him. Simply we were suppose to trust her in helping us not make matters worse. It was fighting with a brick wall who thought she was better
Angel Ortolan
Sep 09, 2019
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Jane was so very helpful. I've been trying to decipher how to handle a family law situation for 2 years now and no one could help me. She provided me with a response and it has made all the difference. She knows her stuff.
