Professionals FAQ

PART I: Services Offered

Disclosure Clinic provides four service models for professionals (lawyers, mediators, arbitrators, parenting coordinators) who need help assisting their clients.

1. Outsourced Support for Clients

You refer the client directly to us.

• How it works: The client completes a quick onboarding and conflict check. We work with them to complete their Financial Statement (13 or 13.1), Disclosure Certificate, and Disclosure Brief.
• Billing: The client is billed independently.
• Communication: With the client’s consent, we connect with you to report on progress and any legal issues arising from the disclosure.
• Note for neutrals: Because we provide legal advice, we cannot assist two parties who are adverse in interest. Please refer the party who needs the most help with the mechanics of financial disclosure.

2. Insourced Support for Professionals

You retain us to “step into your shoes” and work with the client under your direction.

• Billing: We bill you (the professional) directly with clear, detailed dockets.
• Flexibility: You can choose to bill our dockets out to your client at a higher rate, or pass them through as a straight disbursement.

3. Ad Hoc Advice Counsel

Quick, candid, and reliable advice for both lawyers and third-party neutrals dealing with the ever-growing complexity of financial issues in family law. We provide direction and caselaw on specific issues related to support, property division, or financial disclosure.

4. Education

Entertaining, pointed, and substantive “a la carte” seminars for firms or associations.

• Income and Support: Disclosure for income determination, self-employed income, how imputing income works, and select issues in Child/Spousal Support.
• Property: Equalization of Net Family Property explained clearly, Deductions vs. Exclusions, the Matrimonial Home, and select issues in Property Division.
• Disclosure: Completing the Financial Statement, basic vs. secondary disclosure, responding to a Request for Information, getting your client started right, and select disclosure issues.

PART II: Fees & Payments

We do not ask for any money upfront or held in trust. This accommodation reduces bookkeeping requirements and lowers the overall cost of legal services.

Rates

• Client Consultation: $295.00 flat fee for the initial 1.5-hour consultation (work starts immediately).
• Standard Ongoing Rate: $295.00/hour for financial statement and disclosure-related work.
• Complex/Court Rate: $350.00/hour for clients in a court or arbitration process, or for support/property calculations.
• Professional Rate: $250.00/hour for insourced support and ad-hoc advice. (No fixed initial consultation; billed hourly once work begins).
• Education Seminars: $350.00/hour (includes preparation time, usually for special requests).

Payment Terms

• Consultations are billed upon conclusion and payable within 3 days.
• Continuing Services are billed and collected weekly.
• Methods: Payment can be made by Interac e-Transfer to payment@disclosureclinic.com, or by credit card via our secure payment portal (no PayPal account required).

PART III: General FAQ

Can the other party compel Disclosure Clinic to reveal communications or financial information?
No, and this is key. As legal communications, our discussions and work product are not only confidential, but they are fully protected by solicitor-client privilege.

Have a question about the service?
Email us directly at contact@disclosureclinic.ca.

PART IV: Additional Terms of Service

1. Level of Service

• Your services will be provided consistent with your required timelines. If a timeline cannot be met, you will be reasonably advised.
• Correspondence will be acknowledged and returned as quickly as reasonably possible during normal business hours.
• Communications remain confidential and protected by solicitor-client privilege, subject to the technology agreement below.

2. Client Expectations

Because these services are limited in scope, you remain responsible for all aspects of your family law matter except those specifically assigned to Disclosure Clinic in writing. You must:

• Comply with all reasonable requests for information and provide relevant documents when asked.
• Notify us immediately of any pending negotiations, deadlines, hearings, or court events that may affect our schedule of work.
• Review all information we provide to ensure continuing accuracy.
• Advise us immediately of any changes to your contact information or concerns regarding your case.

3. Additional Fee Terms

• Time is recorded in standard 0.1-hour (6-minute) increments.
• Time spent on telephone calls and responding to emails is billable unless advised otherwise.
• You are responsible for agreed-upon disbursements (e.g., property parcels, car value estimates, process servers). You will not be billed for standard communication costs (phone, fax, online services).

4. Technology & Privacy

• We use cloud-based programs (Google Workspace, Zoom, SMS, etc.), some of which use servers outside Canada. By using our service, you agree to their terms and assume the reasonable risks associated with these platforms.
• We utilize strict security measures (complex passwords, two-factor authentication) and will immediately cease using any compromised service.
• You may request your information be provided to you or deleted at any time.
• Privacy: All information is strictly confidential under PIPEDA and LSO Rules of Professional Conduct. We will only share your information with others if you authorize it, or if obligated by statute or court order.

5. End of Services & Document Retention

• Your Dismissal: You may end services at any time via written notice. You remain obligated to pay for all services provided prior to dismissal.
• Our Withdrawal: We may withdraw services subject to LSO and Family Law Rules if: you mislead us, instruct us to do something unethical, fail to cooperate/communicate, fail to pay fees, or if a severe conflict of interest arises.
• Archives: Upon the end of services and at your request, we will securely archive your electronic documentation for a minimum of 6 years (unless instructed to delete earlier).