When the stakes are high, strategy matters.
If you are facing a serious or complex family law matter, complete our confidential intake form to begin the review process. Completing the form does not obligate you to retain the firm and does not itself incur a fee.
What makes our consultation different?
Many lawyers offer a free 30-minute meeting that provides general information—not specific advice tailored to your situation. Our consultation is fundamentally different:
- Thorough pre-meeting preparation
Gene C. Colman personally reviews your intake form, financial statements, tax returns, and—if there’s an ongoing court case—your pleadings, orders, and endorsements. Where necessary, he researches applicable legal principles before you meet.
- Two hours of focused time with Gene C. Colman
Not a junior associate. Not a rushed half-hour. You get approximately two hours of Zoom time with a lawyer who has spent nearly five decades handling Ontario’s most complex family law matters.
- A detailed written Consultation Memorandum
Within days after your meeting, you receive a comprehensive memorandum that includes:
- The facts of your case
- Legal analysis and advice
- Proposed strategy and options
- A to-do checklist of next steps to move your case forward
This memorandum is yours to keep—whether you retain our firm, seek other counsel, or proceed on your own.
- Strategic clarity, in writing
You’ll leave the consultation with a clear understanding of your rights, responsibilities, and the best path forward. Many consultees tell us this clarity alone is worth the investment.
Who this consultation is for?
Our in-depth consultation is designed for people facing serious, complex, or high-stakes family law matters, including:
- Parent-child relationships: Parents concerned about preserving or rebuilding close relationships with their children
- Parental alienation concerns: Situations in which one parent believes the child is being overly influenced against the other parent
- Complex financial matters: High-net-worth separations involving business interests, trusts, or complex assets
- Unmarried fathers: Seeking to establish or protect parent-child relationships
- Second opinions: Where prior strategies haven’t worked and a fresh, knowledgeable perspective is needed
- Cross-border disputes: Parenting, jurisdictional, or financial issues involving multiple countries (or provinces)
How the process works?
Step 1: Complete the online intake form
The form helps you organize the key facts and helps us assess your best route forward. Most people complete it in 10–20 minutes. If a question doesn’t apply, simply skip it.
Step 2: Preliminary Review
Gene C. Colman personally reviews each intake form and related information and documents and determines whether the matter is suitable. If the matter doesn’t appear suitable for our firm, we let you know promptly so you can move ahead without delay. If it appears promising, we may ask for further information or documents before offering a consultation.
At this stage, you still have no obligation and no cost.
Step 3: You receive a fixed, flat block fee quote
If we accept the matter for consultation, Gene C. Colman quotes a fixed, flat block fee based on the volume and complexity of the information and documents requiring review. (13% sales tax is in addition unless there is no court and you reside outside of Canada.) The block fee covers:
- His in-depth review of your documents
- Drafting of part of the consultation memorandum prior to the Zoom meeting
- The Zoom consultation itself (approximately two hours)
- The detailed Consultation Memorandum delivered after the meeting
If the block fee doesn’t work for you, there’s no obligation to proceed. Once you pay and Gene C. Colman starts preparing, the fee becomes non-refundable.
Step 4: You meet with Gene for approximately two hours via Zoom
After you e-transfer the fee, we schedule a time slot that works for you. Consultations are normally conducted by Zoom during weekday business hours. Sunday and very early-morning appointments may occasionally be available by arrangement.
During the consultation, he asks questions about your issues and, as additional facts emerge, may refine his analysis and recommendations. You will have an opportunity to ask questions, and he will answer them.
Step 5: You receive your written Consultation Memorandum
Shortly after the meeting, we send you a detailed memorandum summarizing what was discussed, including:
- The facts of your case
- The proposed strategy
- The advice given
- A checklist of tasks to accomplish to move your case forward
Is it worth the expense?
Yes. Here’s why:
- Depth over breadth: Nobody—not even the best lawyers—can gain a proper appreciation of a complex case in just 30 minutes. Free consultations typically provide general legal information, not specific, actionable advice.
- Upfront clarity saves money downstream: A well-designed strategy from the outset can save tens of thousands in legal costs by avoiding missteps, unnecessary motions, and dead-end approaches.
- You own the work product: The Consultation Memorandum is yours to use whether you retain us or not. Many consultees use it to make informed decisions about next steps, even if they choose other counsel.
- The fixed, flat block fee is generally less than hourly billing: It is typically less than what you’d pay if we billed the same work at our normal hourly rates.
What if I don’t hire the firm after the consultation?
There is absolutely no obligation to retain us on a go-forward basis. Both sides need to be comfortable moving forward. If either side isn’t sure we’re a good fit, that’s no problem. We go our separate ways, but you still come out of the process with:
- A detailed memorandum with strategy and advice
- Better education about your rights, responsibilities, and possible next steps
- Everything held in the strictest confidence. Information shared for the purpose of obtaining legal advice is treated as confidential and, where applicable, is protected by solicitor-client privilege, subject to the usual exceptions.
If you do want to hire our firm, you can discuss that at the conclusion of the consultation or anytime thereafter.
Why not just get a free half-hour consultation?
A brief introductory call or meeting can be useful for identifying the general nature of a problem. It is not, however, a substitute for a detailed review and individualized strategy.
Free consultations provide information, not advice: Most lawyers who offer free 30-minute meetings will give you general legal information—not specific advice tailored to your unique situation.
Complex matters require depth: If you’re dealing with high-net-worth assets, parenting disputes, or cross-border issues, a half-hour isn’t enough time to understand the nuances of your case.
Strategic thinking takes time: Gene C. Colman’s consultation includes pre-meeting research, document analysis, and post-meeting memorandum drafting. This level of preparation can’t be done in 30 minutes.
As one client put it: “Our encounter with Gene and his superb team was worth every penny. We are truly blessed to have met Gene, and want to thank him for his outstanding contribution in assisting us keep our family whole.” – TW
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.
Next step: Fill out the intake form now
Or contact our Concierge Intake Coordinator:
Katherine Henderson 1-888-389-3099, Ext. 107
Katherine has more than 28 years of family law experience and brings exceptional knowledge and a highly professional, empathetic approach to every interaction. She’ll answer your questions, explain the process, and help you feel informed and supported from the outset.
Frequently asked questions
When are consultations available?
Consultations are normally conducted by Zoom during weekday business hours. Sunday and very early-morning appointments may occasionally be available by arrangement.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, you’re welcome to bring a trusted friend or family member. (Be aware that such a person is not covered by solicitor-client privilege and could theoretically be compelled to give evidence by the opposing lawyer as to what transpired during the consultation.)
How do I get more information?
Contact our Concierge Intake Coordinator, Ms Katherine Henderson
Katherine Henderson 1-888-389-3099, Ext. 107
What if I’ve worked with multiple lawyers already?
If you’ve had two or more lawyers on this matter, please briefly explain why in the “Other Information” section of the intake form. We consider circumstances such as counsel retirement, relocation, judicial appointment, or other significant reasons.
About Gene C. Colman
Gene C. Colman has spent nearly five decades representing clients in some of Ontario’s most difficult parenting and financial disputes. He is a published author (favorably cited by the Supreme Court of Canada), a thought leader in equal parenting rights and procedural fairness, and a pioneer in the field of fathers’ rights in Canada.
As a father of seven children and grandfather to many, Gene understands how essential it is for children to have significant contact and input from both parents. He guides clients with four core principles: understanding the pressures they face, helping them achieve clarity quickly, thinking strategically from the outset, and preparing carefully on both the facts and the law.
Learn more about Gene C. Colman
Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre
25 Bowring Walk, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5Z8
Katherine Henderson – Concierge Intake Coordinator
Phone: 888-389-3099 ext. 107
Gene C. Colman – Sr Partner, Founder
Phone: 888-389-3099 et. 101
