This is a multi-faceted question which really comes down to one major factor: Time. Law suits take an incredible, mind-boggling amount of time. It takes time to draft and respond to claims, it takes time to perform legal research on specific questions relevant to your lawsuit, it takes time to gather, test, triage and prepare evidence, it takes time to prepare witnesses, and it takes time to prepare for and attend at hearings.

A better question is what can we do to make litigation less expensive? The problem, as we see it, in private practice today is that a lot of work performed for clients is either unnecessary or redundant. When preparing a claim or a defence to one, lawyers often appear to take a “zero or 100” approach, either they are working on that matter with 100% of their resources or they are not working on that matter at all. We feel that a more nuanced approach is necessary as clients become more and more cost-sensitive. Whether it be compartmentalized legal work on your matter, a limited scope retainer, or another solution, we will work with you to find a solution. At Lecky Quinn we’re cognizant of our litigation clients’ cost sensitivity and we work with them on finding methods to keep costs down, keeping them fully informed on the strategic, legal, and cost-benefit implications of the various options we present at every step.

Yes. A criminal record appears on CPIC (Canadian Police Information Center) which is a law enforcement database that all police departments and the RCMP have access to across Canada. Every country has their own rules and practices about who they permit entry. One common consideration is the existence of a criminal record for the individual seeking entry. Many countries have access to CPIC. For example, CPIC can be accessed by the US Customs and Border Control, Homeland Security, and the FBI. When you attempt to cross the border into the United States, your name may be searched by border agents. If you have a criminal record, they will then have access to it, and may deny your entry. If you travel frequently for work or for leisure, a criminal record can have severe, detrimental, and long-lasting effect. Hiring a competent criminal lawyer may be the difference. Don’t leave your future to chance, call us today.

Yes. Many employers require that you provide them with a criminal records check. Convictions, absolute discharges within one year, conditional discharges within three years, fines, suspended sentences, and jail sentences are all available to your prospective employer with a criminal record check. Even minor offences can have a monumental negative effect on your employability. This is because the RCMP only provides the information that there is a “not clear” after searching your name in the CPIC system. Employers will often retract a job offer at the first sight of seeing a “not clear” as it is not worth their resources to look into it further. Don’t risk your livelihood and that of your family. If you’re charged with an offence your first call should be to us.

Impaired Driving, appeals, sexual assault, and many others.

If you have property or children, you should have a will. A will disposes of your property on death, but is also important to indicate who you wish to become guardian of your children.

The probate process gives the executor the authority to act on behalf of the estate. If there is land in the estate, it will need to be probated. If land was held in joint tenancy (usually with spouses), the land would flow directly and so no probate would be needed. Probate will also be needed where there is high value investments or RRSPs or other similar types of assets.

An executor is the person you appoint in your will to act on your behalf after your death. It should be someone you absolutely trust and that you have faith that he or she (or they) will follow the terms of your will. Executors have a lot of power to handle your property - so appointed someone you trust is essential.

If someone becomes incompetent and they never executed a power of attorney, the public trustee (a government official) then takes over to handle the affairs of that person. There is a process - generally two doctors must sign off that the person is incompetent. Having the public trustee manage your affairs is often not ideal, obviously, and fees are charged. However, a loved one or friend can make a court application to become committee and guardian of that person. The simple and obvious solution to avoid a court application and to avoid the public trustee from becoming involved is to execute a power of attorney before age or infirmity strike.

You can read more on estates and wills and what we offer by by Clicking Here

The traditional litigation process, although it has its places, often has a very negative effect on children and parents. Mediation or collaborative practice is a more gentle (and often faster) way to address issues and work to a resolution. The process involves both parties working with most often one lawyer (like myself; sometimes two lawyers though). The lawyer and the parties sign an agreement whereby if they decide to litigate in the future they must find other legal counsel. This "opens up" the discussion and the lawyer is able to provide unbiased legal services and guidance for both so that a parenting plan and overall agreement may be reached.

A parenting plan is an agreement (or may be part of a broader agreement such as a separation agreement) which sets out how children will be cared for and supported. Perhaps the most important element is the schedule - the times that each parent will have the children. The variety of arrangments is "limitless" really. Some do alternating weeks; some do alternating weeks with one weekday overnight; some do a 2-2-3 arrangment; some do a 3-3-4-4 arrangment. See more on my family law page.

You can read more about family law and divorces and what we offer by Clicking Here