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Family & Divorce Lawyers in Halifax,
Nova Scotia
Legally Separate in less than 5 weeks
We Do Family Law Differently
Welcome to Teryl Scott Lawyers Inc., a Halifax, Bedford, and Dartmouth family law practice. Our family lawyers and divorce lawyers are here to provide easy and affordable legal separations.
Traditional divorces can be filled with conflict. Legal teams battle for tactical advantage. Legal fees accumulate and life savings dwindle. Children struggle to understand. Emotional damage can be extensive.
Book Your Appointment
Our Halifax divorce lawyers are here to listen to your legal issues and resolve them fairly, efficiently and cost-effectively.
Book your family lawyer appointment online with our easy to use software by clicking the button below:
We Do Family Law Differently
Our divorce and family lawyers in Halifax share your value of a low conflict divorce.
Also, read our divorce statistics in Canada.
Family law Services:
- Divorcing Well™ DIY or Full Mediation
- Legal coaching for those who want to represent themselves, strategic support and guidance for negotiations or court
- Uncontested Divorces
- Separation Agreements
- Cohabitation Agreements (Cohab)
- Prenuptial Agreements (Prenup)
- Child Custody and Parenting Plans
- Collaborative Style Lawyering
Client Testimonials
I recently had my will updated along with my power of attorney and a medical directive.
The process was very simple as I set up a phone consultation with my lawyer,... read more
Barry JohnsonApril 20, 2022
Lisa has my highest respect with her knowledge of employment law. I would without hesitation, recommend her service! Thank You again, Lisa.
Bill SullivanMarch 4, 2022
Lisa is extremely knowledgeable, professional and personable. She made the entire process as painless as possible and I felt very supported throughout. I would highly recommend Lisa’s services.
Myra DavisOctober 19, 2021
Divorcing Well™ Our Divorce Lawyers Solution
Our family law mediators focus on minimizing harm to family relationships and maximizing fair outcomes. Divorcing Well™ full-service mediations are completed in five weeks.
Our Do-it-yourself (DIY) mediations are completed in only two weeks. Making it a cost-effective and legally sophisticated way of resolving separation and divorce conflicts, without breaking the bank.
We work for separating couples who prefer to focus on their future, reasonable outcomes, and minimize emotional damage to themselves, their children and their families.
We have been trusted as a Halifax family law firm for more than 25 years. Our core values assist families in their pursuit of fair and reasonable outcomes in cost-effective ways.
Fair Outcomes
We provide unbiased legal information. Our mediators’ responsibility is to create fair outcomes at minimal cost to you.
Together, but separate
For our five-week mediation program, to minimize conflict, the parties are not typically with the mediator at the same time. The mediator works with each party individually addressing concerns and giving guidance on what is reasonable. It’s just one-on-one.
Efficiency
For the full-service family mediations, expect to be in and out in 5 weeks. With 4 to 5 appointments for each party, you can finalize quickly your legal separation agreement. For the DIY family mediations, expect to be done in 2 weeks.
Cost Effective
No retainer fees. Divorcing Well™ mediations are billed on a flat fee basis. The fee includes the cost of drafting the separation agreement and equalization property division table.*
* The outcome of Divorcing Well™ is a separation agreement and an equalization table, a spreadsheet that calculates the property division pay-out figure. This separation agreement and equalization table are the foundational documents for your uncontested divorce.
Each party works with their independent divorce lawyer to sign the agreement and receive a Certificate of Independent Legal Advice.
With these documents, the parties avoid spending time battling in court over a contested divorce. When the parties have been separated for a year, they then can have the Divorcing Well™ legal mediator draft the divorce documents and share this cost too.
Get Your Appointment
Call or Text (902) 233-6660 or email senior legal counsel, Lisa Teryl, to start your process. We're here to listen to your legal issues and resolve them fairly, efficiently and cost-effectively.
Traditional Divorce Lawyers...
Each party hires their own divorce lawyer, who writes costly positional letters outlining their client’s demands. These adversarial proceedings significantly increase the risk of contested divorces.
In Nova Scotia, it costs approximately $20,000 for court preparation and court time for every day a party spends in court. In other words, a two-day trial costs about $40,000 per person in legal fees. The adversarial approach creates winners, losers and a lot of legal fees. Divorcing Well™ avoids the pitfalls associated with divorce lawyers battling. It gives the parties the benefit of receiving impartial legal information that is based on divorce law and precedent.
Parties share the cost of the Divorcing Well™ which encourages the parties to resolve matters in a timely fashion–five weeks for full-service mediation or the two-week do-it-yourself mediation for low conflict divorces and separations. No retainer fees. Mediations are done on a “flat fee basis”, making it easier to manage the legal budget. See the prices at the bottom of this page.
Independent Advice From Family Lawyers
An important part of Divorcing Well™ is the parties consult their own independent family lawyers. These family lawyers provide independent legal advice about the various proposed settlement terms that would lead to an uncontested divorce.
Since these settlement terms were developed with the legal mediator, the time required with an independent family lawyer is significantly reduced.
Each party’s lawyer offers independent legal advice to their client. This advice is another layer of assurance that the separation agreement, drafted by the Divorcing Well™ legal mediator, is fair and reasonable.
To summarize, the parties are encouraged to consult their own family lawyers before signing the separation agreement and to obtain a Certificate of Independent Legal Advice from their lawyers.
The courts say that separation agreements signed without Certificates of Independent Legal Advice are easier to overturn later. Banks also require a Certificate of Independent Legal Advice to refinance the matrimonial home.
Family Law Fees
Divorcing Well™ mediations are charged as a flat fee. Learn more about our Divorcing Well™ Fees.
Uncontested Divorce: $900 each party ($1,800 total) plus HST and disbursements
The federal Divorce Act requires the parties must be separated for a year before a judge will grant the divorce. When the Divorcing Well™ mediation process results in a signed separation agreement, each party pays $900 to complete the rest of the divorce documents plus HST and disbursements. Rather than tens of thousands of dollars for a contested divorce.
A Divorcing Well™ mediated separation agreement establishes the terms of their separation. Then the parties are ready to file for an uncontested divorce– without the costly drama.
Do-It-Yourself Legal Services
Lawyers can be expensive. With DIY Legal Services, you can have confidence in representing yourself. Learn how you can get the benefit of our Senior Legal Counsel’s advice at almost half the price.
Solicitor-Client Legal Fees
For those who do not require mediation, our family lawyers also provide legal support services (legal coaching) for people who want to represent themselves. These legal support services are ideal for those who have to attend court but do not want (or cannot afford) the full cost of a lawyer representing them.
The family lawyers at Teryl Scott Lawyers Inc. provide assistance helping a party, for example, to draft their affidavit (typically the most important court document) or to help them draft an offer to settle to the other party.
- No retainer ever, just pay-as-you-go
- Senior family lawyers at Teryl Scott Lawyers Inc. Who represent you in court are engaged at $450 per hour.
- DIY Legal drafters cost $275 per hour
Our boutique family law firm is committed to better access to legal services, therefore a sliding scale for legal fees is available for families with lower incomes. Contact us for further information.
Family Law Lawyer Q&A
What do I need to Divorce?
Most people need a family lawyer to create a written separation agreement confirming your agreement on property (and debt) division, child custody, parenting times, child support and spousal support (called alimony in America).
What is divorce mediation and Divorcing Well™?
Divorcing Well™ is Teryl Scott Lawyers Inc.’s unique divorce mediation process. We have two programs: The five-week one for complex property division such as those including business assets or high conflict cases. Our other mediation program is our two-week one for low conflict situations. Our timelines and flat fees make it a highly cost-effective, and legally sophisticated way of resolving legal conflicts as you separate and divorce.
What is the most affordable way to divorce?
An affordable divorce occurs when the parties agree on all the terms of the divorce. These terms are in the separation agreement. Divorcing Well™ mediators help the parties come to an agreement on the terms of the separation agreement which become incorporated into the divorce and do this in a short five-week or two-week process. These short timelines and flat fees help to keep costs low.
After the parties have signed the separation agreement, the divorce is just a matter of paperwork being filed with the court. There is no requirement to attend court and thus avoid expensive legal fees associated with a contested divorce.
Is a mediated divorce appropriate if there is a lot of conflict between the parties?
Yes, the Divorcing Well™ five-week mediation is designed for high conflict situations and does not typically bring the parties together in the same room. In fact, the greater the conflict between the parties, the more helpful it is to have a mediator. The two-week mediations typically assist with lower conflict separating couples.
Mediators are trained to de-escalate people’s emotions and regulate communication to allow an efficient resolution around fair and reasonable outcomes.