Newfoundland and Labrador
1 lawyer whose firm covers family work in St. John's. Each lawyer was checked on their provincial law society's public directory before being listed — check again before you hire, as people move firms. Browsing Lawvoo is free.
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Barbara Oley · Partner · Family · St. John's
55 Duckworth Street, St. John's, NL A1C 1E6
Partner and family law litigator who also represents clients in employment matters and in wills and estates. The firm also acts for people injured in car accidents, and for both employees and employers in wrongful dismissal and severance matters.
Divorce and separation, parenting, child and spousal support, and dividing property. Divorce follows the federal Divorce Act; property division comes from the province's Family Law Act, which applies to married spouses. Unmarried couples are covered only if they sign an agreement adopting it.
Divorce is federal law, so the rule is the same across Canada: the only ground is marriage breakdown, usually shown by living apart for one year or more. You or your spouse must have lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for a full year before applying.
Under the Family Law Act each spouse has a one-half interest in the matrimonial home, and either spouse can apply to have the matrimonial assets divided in equal shares. The application must be made by the earliest of two years after a divorce, six years after separation, or one year after the first spouse's death.
Not automatically. The Family Law Act's property rules apply to married spouses. Two people who live together without marrying can sign a cohabitation agreement, and if that agreement adopts the Act, the Act applies to them.
For St. John's, family cases — including divorce and property — go to the Family Division of the Supreme Court at 68 Portugal Cove Road, which has exclusive jurisdiction over family law matters in the area.
To practise law in Newfoundland and Labrador a lawyer must be a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Its online Lawyer Directory lists the lawyers practising in the province with their contact details, and the Law Society publishes its disciplinary decisions. Each lawyer on these pages was checked in the directory before being listed, but people move firms, so check again before you hire. Complaints about a lawyer go to the Law Society, in writing.
Listings are provided for information only and are not legal advice or a recommendation. Always check a lawyer in the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador's Lawyer Directory before hiring them. Looking for a different area? Browse all practice areas.