THE FIRM
Resolving What Matters Most-Your Family’s Future
Gene C. Colman has spent nearly five decades representing clients in some of Ontario’s most difficult parenting and financial disputes. He is guided by four core principles: understanding the pressures clients face, helping them achieve clarity quickly, thinking strategically from the outset, and preparing carefully on both the facts and the law.
Complex family law cases demand thorough preparation, superior legal knowledge, sound judgment, and strategic thinking. I help clients navigate difficult parenting, support, and property issues with disciplined advocacy and practical insight from the outset.
— Gene C. Colman, Barrister & Solicitor
Practice Areas
Focusing primarily on parenting (custody/access) issues and on complex cases requiring strategic analysis, careful preparation, and experienced advocacy across Ontario.
Parenting, Custody, Access & Parental Alienation
When one parent convinces a child to turn against the other parent it is an extremely sad and unfortunate situation. Sometimes referred to as parental alienation, this method of manipulation is used by parents either consciously or otherwise and causes untold grief to the child and the alienated parent.
Children’s Issues &
Support
At Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre, we vigorously advocate on behalf of parents and caregivers looking to preserve the relationships they have with their children. We help clients in Toronto, Ontario find solutions that reflect their goals and endeavour to resolve complex family disputes creatively and strategically.
Spousal Support & Financial Disputes
Spousal support, sometimes referred to as alimony, can be difficult to determine without the assistance of a computer program. Calculations can become quite complicated, for example, when the spouse who is obligated to pay spousal support is also the recipient spouse for the purposes of child support.
Property, Business & Asset Division
If one partner owns a business, does the other spouse get a share of the profits gained over the course of the relationship when they separate? If both couples own a business together, how do you calculate the value of the business? How does the Ontario Business Corporation Act intersect with family law statutes and rules?
Procedural
Fairness
The law requires family courts to dispense justice in an even-handed manner and without discrimination. However, sometimes lawyers and judges still rely upon outdated stereotypes when coming to recommendations or decisions. Thankfully, there are judges who advocate for procedural fairness and write decisions that oppose the denial of procedural rights.
Family
Violence
Recent research has looked at differences between inter parental conflict and family violence, patterns of intimate partner violence, and the implications for parenting arrangements after separation. This analysis largely draws from Dr. Kruk’s article where he looks at the issue of parenting time after separation when there’s family violence involved.
Fathers’
Rights
A pioneer in the field of fathers’ rights in Canada, Gene C. Colman identifies with the struggle that many fathers go through when attempting to gain equal parenting rights. Not only was Mr. Colman instrumental in forming the Canadian Equal Parenting Council, but the lawyers at our firm understand the very personal issues and struggles that affect fathers within Canada’s and particularly Ontario’s family law system.
Collaborative
Divorce
The end of a relationship can be challenging and emotionally charged. In many cases, traditional divorce can be combative and exacerbate the pain by pitting spouses/parents against one another – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Collaborative Divorce is an alternative to traditional litigation where couples contract into resolving all aspects of their divorce.
International & Cross- Border Family Law
Complex parenting, jurisdictional, and financial disputes involving multiple countries require strategic legal guidance and a deep understanding of international policy.
Client Feedback
What Clients Say
If you are looking for a highly experienced, professional family lawyer with decades of experience and true passion for law, Gene Colman is the best family lawyer in Toronto for you! From our first meeting, I felt heard, respected, and understood.
I contacted Mr. Colman specifically because of his demonstrated commitment to procedural fairness. I sought independent legal advice regarding the merits of appealing an interlocutory family law order to the Divisional Court which was grounded predominantly in issues of procedural fairness.
Thank you Gene and Gloria at Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre. I just wanted to express my gratitude for taking me on as a client when I was in a very vulnerable and confused state and patiently leading me throughout the legal proceedings.
CREDENTIALS & RECOGNITION
Recent Articles & Resources
Gene C. Colman writes regularly about the legal and strategic issues affecting Ontario families navigating separation, divorce, and financial litigation.
ADMISSION IMPOSSIBLE? RETHINKING THE ROLE OF RULE 22 IN ONTARIO FAMILY LITIGATION – Practical Guide
Requests to Admit under Ontario Family Law Rule 22 can make or break your case,…
ONTARIO JURISDICTION IN CROSS‑BORDER FAMILY LAW: KEY TAKEAWAYS
If you are reading this, you likely have a cross‑border divorce, parenting, or financial dispute…
FINALLY! PROPER MOTION PRACTICE STANDARDS IN ONTARIO – JUSTICE SHARMA NAILS IT. THANK YOU, YOUR HONOUR.
Justice Mohan Sharma was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in March 2021. …
Proposed Legislation: Bill C-223
Bill C-223 would significantly alter the treatment of parental alienation evidence and reunification therapy. Gene C. Colman continues to advocate against this legislation because of its potential consequences for children and parents.
MEDIA
Podcast & Video Appearances
Watch Gene C. Colman discuss complex family law topics in plain language, with insight drawn from decades of courtroom experience.
Practical Advice
Gene C. Colman gives Practical advice to navigate the family law system.
A Realistic Look at the Family Court System
Gene C. Colman outlines the legal system’s problems and suggests solutions.
Dads Matter Too
Gene C. Colman talks about equal shared parenting, parental alienation and family violence.
LEADING AUTHORITY ON EQUAL RIGHTS
For Separated And Divorced Parents
Gene C. Colman has published widely and is regularly sought out by media outlets for his perspective on divorce, separation, and the fair treatment of parents and children.
Equal Shared Parenting Thought of the Day
Newsletter
Ready to Talk Strategy?
If your matter involves complex parenting issues, financial disputes, or high-conflict litigation, experienced legal strategy can make a real difference. Contact our Concierge Intake Coordinator to request a confidential, in-depth strategic evaluation.
888-389-3099
25 Bowring WalkConfidential Legal Evaluation
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