Business Details
22 Years
experience
Family Law Solutions in Ottawa
At Cohen Family Law, we specialize in guiding clients through complex family law matters with expertise and compassion. Our practice focuses on dispute resolution processes including negotiation, mediation, and litigation, tailored to meet each client's unique emotional and financial needs. With over 20 years of combined experience in family law, our team prioritizes minimizing conflict while protecting client interests.We are accredited mediators through the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and certified by the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution. Our approach emphasizes transparent communication, financial prudence, and child-centered solutions. We serve clients in Ottawa and surrounding areas, offering personalized legal strategies for separation, divorce, and family-related legal agreements.
Services
Negotiation
Mediation
Litigation
Cohabitation Agreements
Marriage Contracts
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of family law litigation experience with child-focused solutions
- Our accredited mediators prioritize cost-effective, emotionally-responsible dispute resolution
- Certified in collaborative family law practices through Ontario's leading mediation institute
- We provide transparent legal strategies tailored to individual family circumstances
- Active participants in provincial family law justice reform initiatives
Associations and certifications
- Ontario Association for Family Mediation
- Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution
What people say
Excellent communication skills
Deep family law knowledge
Effective mediation process
Child-centered approach
Services
Negotiation
Our negotiation services focus on achieving fair settlements through direct discussions while maintaining client control over outcomes. We specialize in complex financial and parenting arrangements, utilizing strategic communication to resolve disputes efficiently. Our approach balances legal expertise with practical solutions for separation agreements.
Mediation
As accredited mediators, we facilitate constructive dialogue between parties to create customized solutions for family disputes. Our 16-year experience in mediation emphasizes confidentiality, cost-effectiveness, and long-term compliance through collaborative problem-solving techniques that prioritize children's well-being.
Litigation
When necessary, our litigation services provide aggressive courtroom advocacy while maintaining focus on early resolution opportunities. With 20 years of litigation experience, we protect client interests in high-conflict cases involving child safety, financial disclosure issues, or uncooperative parties.
Cohabitation Agreements
We draft comprehensive cohabitation agreements that establish clear rights and responsibilities for unmarried couples. Our contracts address property division, financial obligations, and post-relationship arrangements while ensuring compliance with Ontario Family Law Act requirements.
Marriage Contracts
Our marriage contracts provide legal protection for assets and spousal support arrangements while respecting Ontario's special treatment of matrimonial homes. We ensure proper disclosure and independent legal advice to create enforceable agreements that override standard family law provisions.
People
Nicholas Frid
Owner
Licensed attorney with Juris Doctor from Western University, specializing in family law since 2016. Accredited mediator since 2021, focusing on alternative dispute resolution. Practiced with Ottawa Collaborative Law Network since 2021.
Barbara Cohen
Advisor (Retired)
Family law practitioner since 1991 with Accredited Family Mediator certification since 2007. Served as president of Ontario Association for Family Mediation's Ottawa chapter. Completed Collaborative Law training in 2003.
Chetana
Legal Assistant
BA graduate supporting legal operations with administrative expertise. Primary point of contact for client communications and case management coordination.
Questions
What dispute resolution options do you offer?
We provide negotiation, mediation, and litigation services tailored to each client's specific needs and circumstances.
Are your mediators certified professionals?
Yes, we are Accredited Family Mediators through Ontario Association for Family Mediation with 16 years of experience.
Do you handle urgent family law matters?
We prioritize cases involving child safety concerns or immediate financial disclosure issues requiring emergency intervention.
Can you help with marriage contract negotiations?
Yes, we draft and review marriage contracts with proper legal safeguards while complying with Ontario Family Law Act requirements.
What areas do you serve?
Primarily Ottawa and surrounding regions, including Nepean and K2G postal code areas.
How do you handle child custody cases?
We focus on child-centered solutions that maintain communication channels between parents while protecting children's best interests.
Reviews (5)
Jennifer Whiten
Jun 12, 2021
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Barb provided an exceptional service. Barb was straight forward, clear, professional and was able to very quickly understand our 'needs'. She did not try to insert conflict where none existed but was still able to advocate effectively on my behalf. She was able to very clearly describe to me what my legal rights were and what I could do within the context of the separation agreement. Would highly recommend her to anyone!
Tiffany Kisters
May 14, 2021
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After being separated for a year and a half, and coming to the realization that mediation didn't seem to be working, I felt really lost and didn't know what to do. I researched options, and really liked the idea of a Collaborative Law approach. I met with Barb, desperate to get some matters resolved, so myself and my son's father could continue moving forward with our separate lives. Barb was so patient, informative, and transparent throughout the whole process. Dealing with separation negotiations during a pandemic can be quite challenging, but Barb, and my ex's collaborative lawyer, were both
Bob McDOUGALL
Feb 12, 2021
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I guess a divorce lawyer is a lot like a police officer or a proctologist. You know they exist, but you hope you never have to deal with one. Well
I found myself going through a divorce with a partner, who like me, did not want to drag anything into a court setting. After looking at options, we decided on Collaborative Family Law (CFL). This led me to Google to find someone in Ottawa who knew about CFL and Barbs name popped up and after doing a little research, I reached out to her office to set up an initial consultation. Barbs expertise in CFL is well known in Ottawa and after meeting
I found myself going through a divorce with a partner, who like me, did not want to drag anything into a court setting. After looking at options, we decided on Collaborative Family Law (CFL). This led me to Google to find someone in Ottawa who knew about CFL and Barbs name popped up and after doing a little research, I reached out to her office to set up an initial consultation. Barbs expertise in CFL is well known in Ottawa and after meeting
Gord Watts
Sep 10, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness
I engaged Barb on the recommendation of a trusted acquaintance. Although the process was amicable and straightforward, Barb's assistance was invaluable. I very much appreciated her tremendous professionalism, and benefited greatly from Barb's experience and wisdom. I couldn't have asked for better stewardship.
I engaged Barb on the recommendation of a trusted acquaintance. Although the process was amicable and straightforward, Barb's assistance was invaluable. I very much appreciated her tremendous professionalism, and benefited greatly from Barb's experience and wisdom. I couldn't have asked for better stewardship.
Stephen Weaver
Sep 02, 2020
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Barb and her team provided exceptional, professional, timely service during the negotiation of my separation agreement. Throughout the process Barb provided valuable, knowledgeable advice, clearly demonstrating her deep understanding of the law, years of experience, and sensitivity to the issues involved. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing assistance with a separation. She was certainly head and shoulders above the other lawyer and mediator that I dealt with during this process. My only regret is that my ex-spouse and I didn't engage her from the outset as a mediator for the agreement
