Client focused
legal services
I’m Isaiah Smith, and I care about why your legal issue is important to you.
With recent, rapid advancements in technology and AI, “one-size-fits-all” approaches to legal service delivery have become abundant.
By blending technical competence with simple human compassion, I provide personally tailored legal options & solutions, and a proactive & responsive lawyer-client relationship, to ensure you and your family feel supported, understood, and human throughout your journey with the law.
I am based in the Hamilton region, though maintain deep roots in Waterloo, where I first established my practice and continue to foster strong connections with the local bar.
I proudly serve clients across Hamilton-Wentworth Region (including the City of Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, and Stoney Creek) Waterloo Region (including Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge), and Guelph & Wellington County. I offer legal consultation, representation, and research and writing support for all family law and child protection matters, as well as selected civil litigation claims and applications to administrative tribunals.
Services and Deliverables
Personalized 1-on-1 legal consultation
Together, we will talk through the facts surrounding your family or civil legal issue to determine how the law and your life uniquely interact. You will receive personally tailored guidance, and the opportunity for continuous support through all stages of the court process.
Court drafting and service support
After a brief interview, your story of relationship turmoil or financial loss will be transformed into articulate and persuasive documents that clearly define and bring credibility to your legal position.
Representation and other advocacy
When your voice alone isn’t enough, let me step in to ensure you are heard and understood. You will receive oral or written advocacy & communication support as per your needs, including with demands, opinions, negotiation, and before a court or tribunal.
Agreement drafting: family and other
An agreement to protect you and your family that will give you peace of mind, no matter the situation:
- Marriage and cohabitation agreements
- Divorce and separation agreements
- Co-parenting plans and agreements
- Other contracts. For more information contact me
Affordable notary services
Certifying documents as true copies and other services including:
- Witnessing of documentation
- Swearing of affidavits
- Travel consent letters
- Transfer of a vehicle
- Identification verification
- Declaration of ownership of Property
- Other statutory declarations
Legal research, articles and opinion content
Sample and enjoy one of the informational articles posted on this site about common and curious family or civil litigation issues, or reach out for research support to discover how your legal issue might be unique and push the boundaries of the law.
Articles, Opinion, and Commentary
Accepting requests for text or video media legal opinion and commentary content. Please contact me for further information.
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Creatures of Cohabitation – The growing prevalence of unmarried cohabitation and how a cohabitation agreement can help minimize the risks
Unmarried cohabitation in Canada has increased significantly over the last 40 years. Clear agreement around important decisions, like distribution of property, are critical for protection in case of relationship breakdown. Cohabitation agreements can help provide legal protection, but require careful drafting and legal advice.
FAQs
How are services delivered?
Isaiah Smith Law is a primarily virtual law practice.
Services are delivered by email, phone, or video call whenever possible to reduce costs, enhance time efficiency, and increase accessibility.
In-person appointments are available upon request.
Court, mediation, or other in-person meetings are physically attended.
What are your fees?
Flat fee, per job, and retainer fee arrangements available depending on the scope of services required or project proposed.
Contact me for more information, or click the link below:
More about fees
Do you accept Legal Aid certificates?
Yes, I am a registered roster member with Legal Aid Ontario that can accept valid Legal Aid certificates for family and child protection legal issues.
Do I need a lawyer?
While there are few rules of court and civil legal issues that require adults with full mental capacity to have access to counsel, it is almost always beneficial to have the trained eyes, ear, and mind of a lawyer on your legal matter.
The personalized legal information and advice, drafting, and representation support I offer is aimed at helping you plan for and avoid unseen procedural pitfalls; strategically building your credibility and protecting your reputation with the court; and securing a result as closely aligned with your interest as possible.
You might need a lawyer if you are unsure about how to achieve any of the above on your own.
How will you handle my case?
I take a pragmatic, dedicated, and collaborative approach to my advocacy work that balances enthusiastic & compassionate advancement of my clients’ legal position with strategic utilization of opportunities for cooperation & negotiation. This approach ensures your matter continues moving forward in a cost and time efficient manner.
What family legal issues can you help with?
I have experience assisting my clients represent themselves:
- For applications to the Ontario Court of Justice seeking parenting time, decision-making responsibility, and child or spousal support
- For divorce applications to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, including both uncontested (“simple divorce”) and contested divorce applications (those with parenting, support, or equalization/division of matrimonial property issues)
- Throughout various family contract drafting processes, including marriage and cohabitation agreements, divorce and separation agreements, or general co-parenting plans and agreements.
- In litigation involving provincial and regional Children’s Aid Societies, including responding to applications for protection status, interim or extended society care, and general status review
What civil or other issues can you help with?
I have growing civil litigation experience suitable to help you pursue money and assets lost or misappropriated upon the breakdown of an unmarried cohabitational relationship, or in the course of contracting business and services.
Additionally, I can offer limited-scope drafting, consultation, and representation support for individuals navigating Ontario’s administrative law system and tribunals, including the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Human Rights Tribunal, the Social Benefits Tribunal, and the complaint review panels of various Children’s Aid Societies or regulated health services organizations
What legal issues are important to you?
I am a passionate advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence, and am trained to screen for and provide support & resources for individuals and children experiencing physical, psychological, or financial abuse in their home or relationship
More broadly, the protection of civil and personal legal rights is immensely important to me. Please reach out for more information if you believe your civil rights may have been unjustifiably infringed, or government service agencies have failed to fulfill their lawful obligations to you
Still have questions?
Click the button below to contact me by phone or email.
Isaiah Smith Law 