We put Your Family
at the Heart
of it All
About Our Firm
Vanderschoot Family Law is a boutique firm in the heart of the Financial District in Toronto that specializes in divorce, separation, and custody issues. Since 2007, our lawyers served hundreds of clients with various family law disputes. At Vanderschoot, we put family first.
With everything going on in the world today, we want you to know that as an essential service, we are operating full force.
The Vanderschoot team is here to support all our clients daily and are committed to taking additional measures to safeguard everyone. We currently provide meetings via video conferencing, phone or in-office while respecting the proper social distancing measures.
Our Services
Divorce, separation and child custody issues
We are equipped to advise you on all aspects of family law, including:
- Divorce and separation
- Common law rights and obligations
- Property division
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Child custody
- Child residency
- Separation agreements
- Cohabitation and marriage contracts
- International or cross-jurisdictional matters
- Alternative dispute resolution, Including Collaborative law, Mediation and Arbitration
The right approach for you
Family matters are highly personal, and no single approach works for everyone.
The issues raised can be emotionally charged, which is why our lawyers favour an approach involving negotiation and collaboration where possible.
However, we also have the experience required to handle complex or confrontational matters that need to be resolved through high-level mediation, arbitration or litigation. We also have experience at the Court of Appeal.
Expert advice
No matter how complex your family situation is, our legal team has the experience and expertise to provide valuable advice and bring your matter to a satisfactory end.
If your issues extend beyond the realm of family law, our lawyers can draw on their vast network of colleagues who practice in other areas, such as in real estate law, criminal law, employment law, and corporate law.
Our Team
Contact Christine at christine@vanderschootfamilylaw.com
Christine Vanderschoot
Christine has practiced exclusively in the area of family law since she was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2007. She has offices in downtown Toronto and in the Niagara Region.
Christine is trained in the practice of collaborative law, and her initial approach to a family matter prioritizes negotiation and resolution as swiftly as possible. In some high-conflict matters, she will pursue mediated or arbitrated settlements, while the court is kept as a last resort.
Christine has a specialization in international, comparative and transnational law from Osgoode Hall Law School. She has served as an expert witness in a Colorado-based family law matter on issues of jurisdiction, making her uniquely able to advise in that area of international law. This can be very important in cross-border, or “kidnapping” of children cases.
Christine is the former Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Family Law Executive and the former editor for the online magazine Matrimonial Affairs. Christine was selected for The Advocates’ Society’s 10+ Committee, where she sits on various committees meant to improve the practice of law for lawyers and for clients, and she wrote a recurring column for Advocacy Matters until 2023.
Christine regularly presents at continuing legal education events, most recently in 2021 and 2019 on the issue of capacity. As our population ages, this is an increasingly important area of the law.
Prior to attending Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, Christine worked in the Canadian fashion industry as a designer. She continues to create and sell art work, and her abstract and landscape photography can be seen in several colleagues’ homes and offices.
Contact Kenneth at kenneth@vanderschootfamilylaw.com
Kenneth Younie
Since he was called to the Bar in 2008, Kenneth has practiced exclusively in the area of family law. He spent several years at a prominent downtown family law boutique firm where he was regularly called to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal. He served as duty counsel at the Court of Appeal through Pro Bono Ontario, assisting self-represented parties with complicated appeal issues.
While Kenneth is passionate about litigation, he understands that it is a last resort, as its effects can be financially and emotionally destructive. He always attempts to resolve cases first through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. Kenneth puts the needs of his clients first and always attempts to resolve matters in the most efficient way in terms of cost and time. He is realistic with his clients about their claims and the legal costs they will incur.
Kenneth is well versed in all areas of family law, and particularly regarding complex financial matters, given his finance background. He is also trained in collaborative law.
Originally from Prince Edward Island, Kenneth has a commerce degree, with a major in finance, from St. Mary’s University in Halifax and an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School. He is actively involved in the community and currently serves as chair of the board of his church.
111 Queen Street East, South Building, Suite 450
Toronto, ON M5C 1S2
MAIN: 416-304-9724
FAX: 416-583-2437