HEARTY LAW Firm

KNOWLEDGEABLE.
EFFECTIVE.
PROFESSIONAL.

Negotiating, litigating and resolving all of your divorce, custody, family law financial and employment needs.

Going through a separation or divorce is a very stressful time. Hearty Law can help reduce the stress and work with you toward a fair and amicable family separation or divorce resolution that will allow everyone to move forward in their new lives.

If your separation or divorce has complex financial issues, Hearty Law is the ideal choice to assist. Whether the issue is related to spousal support or child support, pension issues or identification of assets, you require a knowledgeable family and divorce lawyer in Ottawa working on your side.

Whether you have been let go from your job or denied a long-term disability claim, our employment law firm in Ottawa can help you get what you're owed so you can live your life. Experienced employment lawyer in Ottawa in professional discipline and employment law issues, Hearty Law is highly regarded for sound and practical advice, and will help you during these difficult times.

At Hearty Law, we understand the sensitive nature of child custody cases and the profound impact they can have on families. Our team of compassionate and skilled child custody lawyers is here to guide you through this difficult time with empathy, expertise, and unwavering dedication.

We understand the profound impact that divorce and family law matters can have on individuals and families, and our team of skilled divorce lawyers and family law professionals is committed to providing expert legal services with empathy and unwavering dedication.

peter hearty - Hearty Law provides effective legal service related to all of your family law and employment law issues

WHAT IS
Hearty Law

Hearty Law provides effective legal services related to all of your family, custody and divorce law and employment law issues.

Whether you believe your ex-spouse is hiding assets to avoid support payments, or your ex-spouse is falsely accusing you of hiding assets, Hearty Law has the financial experience you need. Hearty Law negotiates, litigates and resolves all of your complex family, custody, divorce law and employment law financial issues.

Also, experienced in employment law matters and professional discipline issues, Hearty Law is here to help during these difficult times.

Located at 500-1000 Innovation Drive, Kanata, Ontario and serving Ottawa and surrounding areas, contact Hearty Law today at ottawa@heartylaw.ca.

Finding Hidden Assets

Your Strategic Advantage

Providing knowledgeable, effective and professional family law, divorce, custody and employment legal services in Ottawa, Hearty Law is here to help you through your most difficult times.

Sheila R
Sheila R
2024-03-28
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
• Hearty has been instrumental in my success in two recent legal matters. • In one instance, he took on a trial at the last minute and demonstrated exceptional skill and expertise in the courtroom. His strategic advice and guidance were pivotal in securing a favorable outcome, and I am confident that his insights were a key factor in our victory. • The other one went dormant, but it was because of his cross-examination skills that put me in the front seat! Hearty is An Exceptional Legal Professional! • His legal advice is of the highest quality, and he is the first attorney who has shown a willingness to act in accordance with my desires. Cross-Examination Expertise • His cross-examination abilities are exceptional. • In my professional opinion, his prior experience as an RCMP officer likely contributed to his exceptional performance. • His ability to handle complex situations with apparent ease is truly remarkable. Comparison with Previous Legal Representatives • I have had the opportunity to work with several other legal professionals in the past. • Mr. Hearty is a highly organized and efficient individual who consistently demonstrates a proactive and well-prepared approach to his work. His compassionate and understanding nature, combined with his exceptional problem-solving skills, makes him a valuable asset to the team. Professional Demeanor • Mr.Hearty exhibits a courteous demeanor, yet maintains a resolute and unwavering stance, demonstrating the ability to establish and enforce boundaries as and when the situation demands. • Your contributions have had a positive impact on my life and the lives of my children. Billing Practices • I also appreciate his fair billing practices. • It would be unwise not to hire him, and it would be equally unwise to have to oppose him. In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude.
Joan Wilson
Joan Wilson
2023-11-09
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Peter is a excellent experienced lawyer and we recommend him highly. He looks after all your legal needs in a professional and efficient manner.
Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell
2021-01-28
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Peter is an outstanding lawyer. I would trust him with my most challenging legal matters.

Latest News

The Irony of Self-Representation in Family Law Litigation

By Peter Hearty

At Hearty Law, we often encounter clients on the brink of a challenging decision: whether to represent themselves in family law litigation. It’s a route that, understandably, might appear appealing initially. Many believe this path can be cost-effective or grant greater control over personal legal battles, such as divorces or custody cases. However, this choice…

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Essential Insights Before Hiring a Family Lawyer at Hearty Law

By Peter Hearty

At Hearty Law, we understand the emotional complexity and the seriousness of navigating through family law matters. Whether you’re facing a divorce, custody dispute, or any other family-related legal issue, the importance of having an experienced and compassionate family lawyer by your side cannot be overstated. Here is an in-depth look into what you should…

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Understanding Child Custody in Ottawa: Insights from Experienced Divorce Lawyers

By Peter Hearty

Divorce not only marks the end of a relationship between two people but also initiates significant changes in family dynamics, especially when children are involved. In Ottawa, as in other regions, child custody issues form a critical aspect of divorce proceedings, demanding careful consideration and sensitive handling. At Hearty Law, deeply entrenched in family law…

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Protecting Your Assets: The Crucial Role We Play as Divorce Lawyers in Ottawa Family Law Cases

By Peter Hearty

When the intricate ties of marriage begin to untangle, the process can be emotionally and financially taxing. As divorce lawyer specialists in family law in Ottawa, we at Hearty Law understand the fragility of this transition and the profound importance of protecting your assets. Our role as your divorce lawyers is to offer a guiding…

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Collaborative Divorce in Ottawa: A Guide to Family Law Solutions without Court Battles

By Peter Hearty

Divorce doesn’t invariably have to unfold in a courtroom filled with acrimony and contention. In Ottawa, a revolutionary approach to resolving marital disputes is gaining traction among those seeking a more dignified ante to the conclusion of their marriage. This method, known as collaborative divorce, emphasizes amicability and mutual respect, steering clear of the traditional…

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Navigating Divorce in Ottawa: How Family Law Attorneys Can Simplify the Process

By Peter Hearty

Divorce signifies a profound transition period, marking the end of a chapter and the beginning of another in one’s narrative. This period, however, is often riddled with emotional upheaval, legal complexity, and significant life changes, especially in a city like Ottawa, where family dynamics play a crucial role in society. The process of legally dissolving…

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Balancing Act: How Family Law Litigation Can Impact Family Law Disputes

By Peter Hearty

Family dynamics are intricate and deeply personal. When disputes arise, they not only challenge these relationships but also introduce significant emotional and practical turmoil into the lives of all involved. Within this sensitive realm, the guidance of a seasoned family law firm like Hearty Law becomes invaluable. Located in Ottawa, Hearty Law has established itself…

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Navigating Divorce with Hearty Law: A Guide to Finding Your Advocate and Partner in Personalized Legal Representation

By Peter Hearty

Introduction Embarking on the journey of divorce is a challenging path that demands not just legal expertise but a deep understanding of your personal story. As you navigate through this critical phase of your life, the selection of a divorce lawyer becomes a cornerstone decision. Hearty Law, renowned for its dedicated approach to divorce and…

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Parental Alienation Cases: Strategies and Interventions by Family Law Lawyers

By Peter Hearty

Parental alienation is a serious issue that can have damaging effects on parent-child relationships during and after divorce or separation. Family law litigation often plays a crucial role in addressing parental alienation cases, where family lawyers work diligently to protect the child’s best interests while ensuring both parents’ rights are upheld. In this blog post,…

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Parenting Plans and Schedules: Crafting Effective Co-Parenting Arrangements with the Help of Family Law Lawyers

By Peter Hearty

Divorce or separation can be a challenging and emotional time, especially when there are children involved. Crafting a comprehensive and well-thought-out parenting plan and schedule is crucial to ensure the well-being and stability of the children while co-parenting. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of effective co-parenting arrangements, how family law lawyers…

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Can I Force the Sale of the Matrimonial Home in Ontario?

By Peter Hearty

A common issue that arises in many separations in Ontario is whether you can force the sale of the matrimonial home. Last week, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued a decision that addressed this issue. Can I Buy Out the Other Spouse’s Share in the Matrimonial Home in Ontario Prior to looking at whether…

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Financial Disclosure In Family Law In Ontario: When is it Enough?

By Peter Hearty

The law is very clear that financial disclosure is an integral part of the family law process in Ontario. The reason for this is very simple, there is no way to know if a resolution is fair if you don’t even know what must be divided. In a recent decision in the Ontario Superior Court…

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Can Veterans Affairs Disability Pension Payments be Excluded from Child Support Calculations?

By Peter Hearty

A common issue that often arises in family law proceedings in Ontario is whether Veterans Affairs disability pension payments are considered income for child support and spousal support purposes. Previously, I wrote about this issue and found that over the past fifteen years, there has been a shift and for the most part, these disability…

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The Role of an Employment Lawyer: When and Why to Seek Legal Counsel

By Peter Hearty

Employment laws can be complex, and navigating them can be challenging without the assistance of an experienced professional. That’s where an employment lawyer comes in.  An employment lawyer specializes in providing legal advice and representation to employees and employers regarding workplace matters.  Whether you’re facing an issue at work or seeking guidance on employment contracts,…

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How Hearty Law Helps Navigate Custody Matters With Divorce and Children

By Peter Hearty

Divorce can be an incredibly challenging and emotionally charged process, particularly when children are involved. The impact of separation and divorce on children’s lives cannot be understated, and it is crucial to have an experienced family lawyer by your side to navigate the complexities of custody matters.  Hearty Law understands the unique legal and emotional…

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The Emotional Toll of Family Law Litigation: Strategies for Coping

By Peter Hearty

Family law litigation can be an incredibly challenging experience that takes a significant emotional toll on those involved. The legal process can be overwhelming and stressful, leaving individuals feeling anxious, frustrated, and exhausted.  However, it’s essential to remember that there are strategies for coping with the emotional toll of family law litigation. This blog post…

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Family Law Assistance in Ottawa: How Hearty Law Can Help You Navigate Your Legal Journey

By Peter Hearty

Family law matters can be complex and emotionally challenging. Whether you’re going through a divorce, dealing with child custody issues, or facing other family-related legal situations, having the right legal support can make all the difference. If you are an Ottawa resident needing family law assistance, Hearty Law is here to help. Why Family Law…

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Alimony and Spousal Support: Ottawa’s Guidelines and Legal Considerations

By Peter Hearty

When a marriage or common-law relationship ends, one of the significant financial aspects to consider is alimony or spousal support. In Ottawa, specific guidelines and legal considerations are in place to determine the amount and duration of alimony payments, ensuring fair and equitable outcomes for both parties. Understanding Alimony and Spousal Support Alimony, also known…

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Mediation vs. Litigation in Family Law: Choosing the Right Path for Your Case with Hearty Law

By Peter Hearty

Navigating the often-tumultuous emotional terrain and the high stakes involved in family law situations can make resolving disputes daunting. Two routes are generally pursued: mediation and litigation.  Selecting between these two pathways largely depends on understanding what each process entails and the specific details of your situation. At Hearty Law, we’re here to guide you…

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Common Myths about Family Law in Ottawa: Debunking Misconceptions

By Peter Hearty

Navigating family law matters can be an emotional and multifaceted process. Common misconceptions can compound the complexity. Nevertheless, a solid understanding of family law procedures function is crucial in enabling better decision-making and reducing unnecessary stress. This blog post tackles prevalent myths about family law circulating in Ottawa to present a comprehensive, accurate depiction. The…

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Child Custody Battles: How a Family Lawyer Can Help You Navigate the Process

By Peter Hearty

Few circumstances in life can compare to the emotional turmoil and distress of a child custody battle. These struggles not only tax you emotionally but also present a maze of legal complexities that can be difficult to tackle alone. At Hearty Law, we understand the immense pressure such battles place on parents. Our role, as…

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Domestic Violence and Family Law: Seeking Protection and Legal Remedies

By Peter Hearty

Domestic violence is a pervasive and harrowing issue, affecting individuals and families from all walks of life. It takes various forms, including emotional, physical, psychological, and financial abuse, and often involves intimate partner violence, child abuse, or elder abuse. For victims caught in the whirlwind of such distressing circumstances, finding the courage to break free…

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Ex-Spouse Hiding Income to Avoid Child Support and Spousal Support Payments

By Peter Hearty

During divorce proceedings, an ex-spouse may attempt to hide assets and income to avoid child support and spousal support payments. If you are in this situation, seek legal assistance.

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The Cost of Divorce in Ontario

By Peter Hearty

The cost of a divorce in Ontario is related to the reasonableness of each person. Parents who refuse to get along will pay astromical legal fees.

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Divorce is Expensive in Ontario Because of Unreasonable Parents

By Peter Hearty

Divorce can be expensive in Ontario, but only if parents act unreasonably. Trying to look at the situation from the eyes of the other parent may assist in resolving some conflict. This is another story of how two parents arguing over every little issue winds up spending over $100,000 on yet another trial.

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Divorce Costs in Ontario Rise With Refusal to Negotiate

By Peter Hearty

The cost of divorce in Ontario rises dramatically when one person refuses to negotiate in good faith. This blog post looks at a recent decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal, which resulted in the mother paying the father $250,000 in legal fees.

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How Do I Change Spousal Support Payments in Ontario

By Peter Hearty

Spousal support is often a contentious issue in a divorce. It can be very difficult to change a court order once it has been issued. If there has been a material change in circumstances since the order was made, altering spousal support may be possible. This means an involuntary event such as retirement. The most important thing to do is to have legal representation when the initial order is made.

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Order for Costs Enforced by the Family Responsibility Office

By Peter Hearty

Costs are typically awarded to a successful party in a divorce trial. In certain circumstances, these cost awards may be enforced by the Family Responsibility Office in Ontario.

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Date When Property is Valued in Divorce in Ontario

By Peter Hearty

A contentious divorce issue is often the date when property is valued in Ontario. This date is when the couple begins to live separately and apart with no realistic possibility of reconciliation. When there is a minor difference in the dates, there may be no impact on how the property is valued. Significant differences in…

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Bad Faith and the High Cost of Divorce

By Peter Hearty

This is a story from a court decision released last week by the Ontario Court of Justice. This is a textbook example of what not to do as it demonstrates bad faith and the high cost of divorce. The father attempted to leave the mother homeless. It ended up costing far more than what would have been the likely outcome had the father been reasonable to start.

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Appealing a Family Law Decision in Ontario? What You Need to Know

By Peter Hearty

When someone is not successful on a family law motion, they often immediately consider an appeal. A review of Ontario Court of Appeal decisions in 2020 demonstrate that successful family law appeals are not easy. This article is about some things you need to know before appealing.

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My Ex-Spouse is Sick and Can’t Pay Child Support

By Peter Hearty

There are times when an ex-spouse can’t work due to a medical condition. This limits their income and reduces their inability to pay child support. A claim of a medical condition requires proof and a lack of proof can result in significant child support arrears.

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Can I Appeal a Spousal Support Order in Ontario?

By Peter Hearty

A spousal support order can be very costly. It is very difficult to overturn on appeal, so you need to spend time with your argument at trial.

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Child Support Payments and Undue Hardship in Ontario

By Peter Hearty

Child support payments may cause undue hardship. There is a high burden to prove that child support payments ought to be reduced. There needs to be significant objective evidence for a court to deviate from the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

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RRSP Withdrawals Income for Child Support Purposes?

By Peter Hearty

Federal child support guidelines provide a simple method in calculating child support. Determining income can be difficult. RRSP withdrawals are typically used to cover non-recurring expenses, such as a house purchase or to fund legal costs. These withdrawals can be considered income, as it is money available to pay child support.

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Calculation of Child Support When a Parent is Underemployed

By Peter Hearty

When a parent is deliberately underemployed, Ontario courts will impute an income which will be the amount that child support payments are based on.

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Veterans Affairs Disability Pension Considered Income for Support Purposes?

By Peter Hearty

Veterans Affairs disability pensions can be a significant source of monthly income. Whether or not this amount needs to be included in any specific situation is dependent on a number of factors.

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Can I Sell the Matrimonial Home During a Divorce in Ontario?

By Peter Hearty

One of the most often asked questions is what happens to the matrimonial home when a couple divorces. More succinctly: can I sell matrimonial home during divorce in Ontario? The issue becomes much more prevalent during a global pandemic, when there is much uncertainty in the housing market. This exact issue was decided earlier this…

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Changing Primary Residence of Children Before School

By Peter Hearty

Changing the primary residence of the children is a difficult decision, especially immediately before school starts. If you believe the best interests of the children means a change to where they live, you will want to read this post.

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Separated Parents Disagree – Back to School or Online School

By Peter Hearty

Recently, the Ontario government released information on the plans to return children to school. This has caused conflict between some parents on whether or not sending children back to school, or online schooling is better.

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How to Get Overnight Access With Your Children

By Peter Hearty

When one parent leaves the matrimonial home, a common concern is how to exercise overnight access with the children. When the same money prior to separation now has to pay for two households, there are concerns with sleeping arrangements. This post looks at some practical consideration of these issues.

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5 Pitfalls to Avoid When Seeking Sole Custody of Your Child

By Peter Hearty

Seeking sole custody of your child can be contentious when the other parent doesn’t agree. Here are 5 pitfalls to avoid when seeking custody of your child.

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False Allegations of Domestic Violence Impacts Custody

By Peter Hearty

False allegations of domestic violence typically result from an emotional response to a volatile situation. False allegations are harmful and Courts will often be skeptical about your ability to co-parent in these circumstances. This blog post looks at a recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision that addresses these issues.

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Both Parents Need to be Reasonable on Claim of Alienation

By Peter Hearty

Going to Court on an urgent basis to seek access, when the other parent is offering access is a recipe for having costs awarded against you.

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Sole Custody vs Joint Custody for Quarreling Parents

By Peter Hearty

Quarreling parents can’t make joint decisions. In this blog post I review a recent Ottawa court decision where the Judge reviewed the law on joint custody vs sole custody. While not wanting to reward a parent who refuses to cooperate, sole custody may be the only option if parents will not be able to make joint decisions in the best interests of the child.

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Ex-spouse Makes False Allegation of Abuse

By Peter Hearty

What do you do when your ex-spouse makes false allegations of abuse. This can happen in high-conflict divorces. This is a story of a very recent Court decision in Ottawa, Ontario, where the mother made false allegations. The father was awarded sole custody.

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My Ex-Spouse is Wrongfully Preventing Access to My Child

By Peter Hearty

When one parent wrongfully prevents the other parent from exercising access with the child, it is concerning. The only solution is to get legal advice.

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Grandparents Have Rights to Visit Grandchildren in Ontario?

By Peter Hearty

Do Grandparents have a right to visit their grandchildren in Ottawa and surrounding area? Family conflict often arises where grandparents are restricted from building a relationship with their grandchildren. This blog post looks at Ontario law and how grandparents can gain access to their grandchildren.

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Finding the Right Divorce Lawyer for you in Ottawa

By Peter Hearty

If you are asking who is the best divorce lawyer in Ottawa, you are asking the wrong question. You need to find the divorce lawyer that will fit your needs.

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Common Law Spouse in Ontario? You Need a Will

By Peter Hearty

When a common-law partner dies without a will in Ontario, the surviving spouse has no automatic entitlement to a share in the estate. The solution is to get a will.

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