Family Law
SMP Law knows the fear and anxiety that can be present when dealing with the various aspects of Family Law. SMP Law will inform and advise you through the maze of the various complicated issues in Family Law with cost effective solutions made SiMPle.
Estate Law
SMP Law recognizes that Estate law is an emotionally charged area of law and we will assist you through the maze of your Estate Law issues with legal guidance made SiMPle. SMP Law approaches Estate Law in a manner that ensures each client feels that his or her interests have been effectively represented.
Phone: 905 565 9494
E-mail: shawnp@smplaw.ca
As the lawyer at SMP Law, Shawn oversees everything on your file from the initial meeting to the closing summary letter of your file.
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Shawn M. Philbert
Lawyer
Phone: 905 565 9494
E-mail: emmanuelb@smplaw.ca
Emmanuel’s previous experience as a lawyer in the Philippines has strengthened his ability to prepare client files, legal research, and legal drafting for SMP Law.
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Emmanuel Bragat
Senior Law Clerk
Phone: 905 565 9494
E-mail: pedro@smplaw.ca
Pedro’s previous experience as a tax lawyer for the Peruvian government has assisted his ability to help prepare of all of your financial documents for SMP Law.
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Pedro Obregon
Senior Law Clerk
Phone: 905 565 9494
E-mail: lisa@smplaw.ca
Lisa is the first voice you hear when you contact SMP Law. Lisa answers the telephone and is responsible for scheduling your appointments with the appropriate SMP Law team member.
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Lisa Brown
Law Clerk
Phone: 905 565 9494
E-mail: lorrieh@smplaw.ca
Lorrie is SMP Law’s Office Manager, and will spend as much time as you need to ensure you understand SMP Law’s commitment to focusing on your needs and concerns.
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Lorrie Howse
Office Manager
Phone: 905 565 9494
E-mail: nataliep@smplaw.ca
Natalie Philbert’s diverse education and lengthy professional experience brings many skills to the firm. Her academic and employment background has provided her with a strong understanding of the legal profession.
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Natalie Philbert
Marketing Manager
I highly recommend SMP Law. Shawn and his team are very knowledgeable and professional. Excellent customer service. Source: Facebook
I would definitely recommend SMP Law to anyone who requires a Family Lawyer and/or Civil law/litigation. Shawn is very professional, knowledgeable, confident and capable. He understood the situation. When I was close to giving up he gave me the confidence I needed to continue. I am very impressed with Shawn’s handling of the correspondence from opposing counsel and his responses to her. I have no hesitation in recommending Shawn to anyone. His services are excellent. Five Stars!! He deserves more than five stars! Source: Google Review 5 Stars
My first phone conversation with Lorrie and Shawn at SMP Law, I became at ease and reassured feeling I was in good hands, especially since my wife was emotionally upset and overwhelmed the staff made me feel at ease. The friendly environment, attention to detail and high level of professionalism made us confident the direction of this process. Thank you Lorrie and Shawn. I'm more than happy to recommend your services. Source: Facebook
What a Difference a Year Can Make! SMP Law Reflects On The Last Year
January 2020 came and SMP Law started the year with excitement for the new year. Suddenly everything changed. Between intense COVID-19 protocols, remote working, and pretty much everything feeling different, we wanted to reflect on how much has changed from just last year.
A Guide For Self-Represented Litigants During COVID-19
Not everyone seeks to retain a lawyer for their legal matter. Some of the reasons for this include: they feel they can handle their matter on their own, they feel they cannot afford a lawyer, they feel their legal matter is SiMPle or they just are not sure either way and want to give it a try.
Did You Know?
As businesses open and life begins to return to "normal", here at SMP Law we thought we would share some of our favourite previous posts that continue to be important topics.
Wills and COVID-19
With the current pandemic of COVID-19, many “normal” practices that we are accustomed to have now changed. Many businesses are closed or offering their services remotely. Some are slowly starting to reopen with new protocols to protect your safety. To adapt, the Government of Ontario has made an emergency order that wills can be executed “virtually” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shawn Philbert Talks About Racism – #BlackLivesMatter
Canada and the U.S. have been rocked by multiple racially charged deaths, most recently, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Regis Korchinski-Paquet. The common theme is that that they all involve the death of an unarmed, innocent black person at the hands of a white person exerting his or her perceived authority over the vulnerable black victim.
How Much Cost is Too Much?
Anyone who has been to court will be familiar with the term “cost”. At every court appearance you are entitled to seek the amount it cost you to prepare and be at court. So if you had a lawyer representing you then you would be entitled to request your legal fees from the other party in what is called a “cost order”.
Courts and COVID-19
Many people are inquiring about what to do with a scheduled court date now that the courts are operating so differently due to COVID-19. What do you do in the meantime until as the courts sort out when to go back to a regular schedule? These are all important questions.
Dividing Property in Marriage Breakdown – Is it Really 50-50?
The law allows for situations that will permit an unequal division. In a recent case the Superior Court agreed with my client that it was unconscionable to award his spouse 50% of the property and assets.
Separation and Divorce in the COVID-19 Era
As the trauma of COVID-19 continues to unfold, people are just doing their best to deal with the current circumstances. We all continue to try to navigate how to manage safely during these stressful times - do not even get me started on the issue of toilet paper that continues to rage on.
Do I Have To Follow Court Ordered Access During COVID-19?
Recently SMP Law posted a blog on supervised access and COVID-19, however, as a team we have been discussing (virtually of course) what happens with families that share regular access with their children during this time of COVID-19?
COVID-19 has Suspended my Supervised Access! What Happens Now?
Supervised access with families is based on having access to a location for a visit, typically a supervised access centre and the employed supervisors that are there to assist and monitor the visits. With everything being shut down for at least a two week period, what happens to scheduled supervised access visits?
Special Notice During Covid-19 Pandemic
The health and safety of our clients, potential clients, contacts, friends, staff and colleagues is SMP Law’s top priority during this period of uncertainty surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Our office is open and all of our services are continuing as usual.
Why Can’t I Take My Mother Home?!
In a recent situation with a Toronto Long Term Care Facility, the care facility refused to allow my client to take her mother home for visits and refused her wishes to bring her mother home permanently to care for her on her own.
It May Be in Your Name, But I Paid for It So It Belongs to Me!
During a relationship is it not uncommon for one party to put money or assets in the name of their partner or spouse. Unfortunately, after the breakup, the main question becomes, who is the real owner of the property held in the name of the other spouse?
Is it a Gift or a Loan?
When determining whether you or your spouse received gift or a loan from a third party, the court will look at the surrounding factors, such as whether there are actions or documents to support either position.
SMP Law’s 2019 Year in Review!
Happy New Year! As we reflect on 2019 and move into 2020, we take a brief look at some of SMP Law’s case results for 2019. SMP Law had some memorable cases in 2019 and we look forward to 2020!
SMP Law Wishes Everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
SMP Law wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Please be advised that we will be closed for the Christmas Holidays effective 12:00p.m. on Friday, December 20th, 2019 through to 9:00a.m. on Monday, January 6th, 2020.
Do I Need a New Will Once I’m Remarried?
We have posted several blogs about wills including “Who Should Make a Will and Plan Their Estate”, “Make Sure Your Wishes are Followed – Plan Ahead” and “Blended Families and Estate Planning” and we strongly encourage you to check those out! Recently, a question came up from a client “Do I need a new will now that I’m remarried?”