Family Law

Marriage Contract / Cohabitation Agreement — ILA

Before signing a marriage contract or cohabitation agreement in Ontario, each party should obtain Independent Legal Advice (ILA) from their own lawyer. ILA ensures that you understand the agreement, your rights under it, and its legal implications — and it protects the enforceability of the agreement if it is ever challenged in court. This package provides a thorough review of the agreement, an ILA session with a family lawyer, a Net Worth Statement, execution of the agreement, and an ILA Certificate confirming that advice was given.

3–5 business days (subject to availability)
Ontario

What Is Included

  • Review of the agreement with the client
  • Advice on what signing the agreement entails and your rights under law and under the agreement
  • Independent Legal Advice (ILA) Certificate
  • Net Worth Statement
  • Execution of the agreement
  • Up to 3 hours of work included

What Is Not Included

  • Negotiation
  • Changes to the agreement
  • Drafting
  • Comprehensive Disclosure Brief

Who This Service Is For

Individuals who have received a marriage contract or cohabitation agreement and need ILA before signing
Couples entering into a domestic contract who each need their own lawyer's certificate
Anyone whose partner's lawyer requires an ILA certificate before the agreement is executed

Information Required from You

  • 1Copy of the marriage contract or cohabitation agreement
  • 2Any financial disclosure documents provided by the other party
  • 3Basic asset and liability information for the Net Worth Statement

Common Add-Ons

Negotiation / proposed changes to the agreementQuoted separately
Drafting a marriage contract or cohabitation agreementQuoted separately
Comprehensive Financial Disclosure BriefQuoted separately

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Limitations

  • This package provides ILA for one party only. Each party to a domestic contract must have their own independent lawyer.
  • ILA is strongly recommended (and often required by the other party's counsel) to help protect the agreement from being set aside by a court.
  • The 3-hour included time covers most straightforward ILA engagements. If the matter requires additional time, you will be advised and quoted before proceeding.
  • This service is provided by a referral partner — a licensed Ontario family law firm.

Fixed fee

$950

Plus HST

Request This Service