1. WEBSITE CONTENT
Biography
D. Ian Kilgourwaseducatedatthe Universityof ManitobaFacultyof Law and obtainedhisCall tothe Bar
inManitoba in1985. He practicedlawinWinnipegfor6 yearsas a litigationlawyerandappearedin
everylevel of courtfromtrafficcourtto the ManitobaCourt of Appeal. He assistedseniorcounsel ina
firstdegree murdertrial andconductedtrialsinthe Courtof Queen’sBenchwithsuccessinthe areasof
familylaw, criminal law, andcivil litigation.
He wasCalledtothe Bar inOntarioin 1991 andhas practicedin the GreaterToronto Areasince then. In
1996 he movedhispractice fromToronto to the rapidlyexpandingRegional Municipalityof Peel andhe
has had officesinMississaugaandBramptonsince 1996.
He has appearedinfamilylaw,criminal law,andcivil litigationmattersineverylevel of courtinOntario
includingsuccessful appealstothe OntarioCourtof Appeal. Inadditionhe hasconductedcivil litigation
inAdmiraltyLawmattersin the Federal CourtinToronto,and hasparticipatedinmediationinciviland
familylawmatters.
Ian continuestoconcentrate onthe areasof familylaw,criminal law,andcivil litigation. Overhis 30
yearsof practice he has alsoprovidedotherservicestohisclientsincludingwills,powersof attorney,
estates,incorporations,businessstart-ups,andthe purchase andsale of residential andcommercial
properties.Hisexperience inthesemattershelpshimtoassisthisclientswhorequire these services. In
addition,hisexperience intheseareasgiveshimthe expertise toacton behalf of clientswhoare
involvedinlitigationarisingoutof estate,corporate,orreal estate transactions.
D. Ian Kilgourtakespride inproviding personalservicetohisclients. He takespersonal responsibilityfor
all actionsand communicationsonbehalf of hisclients. He recognizesthe importance of hisclients’
time commitmentstotheirjobsandfamiliesand,whereverpossible,usestechnology tomake efficient
use of hisclients’time.
He has appearedinOntarioCourtsfromLondoninthe Westto Napanee inthe East and from Welland in
the Niagara RegiontoHuntsvilleinMuskoka. He has alsobeencounsel of record inproceedingsinthe
BritishColumbiaSupremeCourtinKelowna. If yourequire counsel toacton yourbehalf outside of the
GreaterToronto Area,Mr. Kilgourhasexperience travellingthroughoutOntarioandManitobaonbehalf
of hisclients.
AREASOF PRACTICE
FAMILY LAW
 UncontestedDivorce. D.IanKilgourhasthree decadesof experience inactingonbehalf of
clientsindivorce matters. Asanexperiencedlawyer,Iancancorrectlyprepare the documents
for filingandservice. Mistakesinpreparationof the Applicationcanresultinlengthydelays. In
the past he has had to take over“simple”divorce mattersthatclients thoughtthattheycould

2. do on theirwon. The cost of fixingmistakesusuallyexceedswhatthe costwouldhave beento
retainMr. Kilgourinthe firstplace.
D. Ian Kilgourwill alsobe able toadvise youwhetherornotit is appropriate foryouto applyfor
an uncontesteddivorce.The Divorce ActrequiresthataJustice consideringanApplicationfor
Divorce refuse togrant the divorce until anychildrenof the marriage are properlyprovidedfor
takingintoaccount the provisionsof the ChildSupportGuidelines. If there are childrenof the
marriage and there isno formal andenforceable agreementororderforchildsupport,andno
explanationisprovided,youwill notbe able toobtainyourdivorce. Thereforeyoushould
contact Ian to provide youwiththe benefitof hisexperience,toensure thatyourApplication
and Affidavitwillprovidethe properinformationfor aJustice togrant your divorce order.
Priorto preparingyourApplicationforDivorce, Ianwill alsoreviewothermatterswithyouto
ensure thatyour financial interestsare protected. Manyclientsare notaware thattheyare
likelyentitledtoavaluable share of theirspouse’spensionorthattheywouldnolongerbe able
to be includedintheirspouse’sextendedhealthbenefitsupondivorce. He willreview all issues
withyouto ensure thatyour interestsare protected.
 SEPARATION AGREEMENTS. D. Ian Kilgourhasusedhisknowledgeandexperience tonegotiate
manyseparationagreements. The advantage of hiringhimtoact on your behalf isthathe is
able to advise youwhatthe courts of Canada and Ontariowouldlikelydecide should
negotiationsfailandthe matterproceeds tolitigation. Hisexperience willassistinadvisingyou
whetheryourspouse hasmade a reasonable proposal andwillassistyouinmakingareasonable
proposal tailoredtothe situationandrequirementsof yourfamily,keepinginmindthe common
lawand provisions of the Divorce Act,FamilyLaw Act,Children’s Law ReformAct,andthe Child
SupportGuidelines. Itisalso importantthat experiencedcounsel be consultedbefore any
settlementproposal ismade oracceptedtoensure thatit isfair andthat your rights and the
rightsof yourchildrenare protected.One dangerin failingtoproperlyprepare aseparation
agreementisthata Justice mayrefuse togrant a divorce if he or she perceivesthe agreementto
be unfairto the childrenorthe partiesto the agreement. Further,bysigninganagreement
withoutlegal advice,youmayfindthatyouhave permanentlywaivedrightsforyourselforyour
childrenwithoutyourknowledge.
 CUSTODY AND ACCESS. The Supreme Courtof Canada has ruledthatwhenconsideringissuesof
custodyand accessto childrenthe issue the courthas to determine isthe “bestinterestsof the
child”.Further,indiscussingaccesstochildren,the courtsare notinterestedin“parents’rights”.
Theyare concernedwiththe rightsof the childand a child’srighttohave a relationshipwith
bothparents. D. Ian Kilgourhasthe experience andknowledgetoargue foryour children’sbest
interests. Everychildandeveryfamilyisdifferentand he will fightforyourchildren’srightsto
have a custodyor access orderin theirbestinterests.
 CHILD SUPPORT. ChildSupportisgovernedinCanadabythe ChildSupportGuidelines. Child
Supportisdeterminedbythe income of the payorparent. Inadditionthere maybe
“extraordinaryexpenses”addedontothe ChildSupportGuideline amount. The mostcommon
extraordinaryexpenseisdaycare.Extraordinaryexpensesare substantial expensesfordaycare,

3. dental/medical,educationexpenses,or extracurricularexpensesforsportsorthe arts. The court
doeshave discretioninawardingextraordinaryexpensesandanexperiencedlawyerlike D.Ian
Kilgourcanbestpresentyourargumentincourt or negotiations.ChildSupportgreaterorlesser
than the ChildSupportGuidelinescanbe orderedincircumstanceswhere the childrenspendat
least40% of the time withthe payorparentor whenthe payorwouldsufferfinancial hardship.
The circumstanceswhere acourt wouldallow areductionforfinancial hardshipare verylimited
so itis importantthatyou consult Ianwhenmakingor respondingtoaclaimfor financial
hardship.The courtshave determinedthatsupportisthe rightof the childand cannotbe
waivedorreducedbythe parentsunlessthe ChildSupportGuidelinesare considered.
 DIVISION OFJOINTLYOWNED REAL ESTATE. Whenreal estate isjointlyownedthe default
positionof the courtsis thateitherpartyhas the right to askthe court thatthe propertybe
dividedandthatthat the netproceedsbe dividedequallybetweenthe jointowners. Thisis
knownas “PartitionandSale”. There are situationswhere acourtwill orderan unequal division
where itcan be shownthat one ownercontributedsubstantiallymore tothe equityinthe
property,especiallywhere the fundscame fromaninheritance,personalinjurysettlement,gift
fromfamilymember,orfromassetsfroma previousmarriage. Itisimportantthat jointowners
consultwithD. IanKilgourtodetermine theirrightstothe proceedsof jointlyownedproperty.
 DIVISION OFMATRIMONIALPROPERTY. Each province hasitsownmethodof dividing
matrimonial assets. Itisa commonmisconceptionthatmatrimonial propertyis justdivided
50/50 uponmarriage breakdown. InOntariothe divisionis referred toasan “Equalizationof
NetFamilyProperty”. The FamilyLaw Acthas a formulathattakesintoaccount assetsand
debtsbothon the date of marriage and the date of separation(valuationdate). Inaddition
certainassetsare excludedfromthe calculationincludinginheritanceandgifts.The matrimonial
home isdealtwithas a separate categoryandits full value canbe consideredevenif itwas
ownedby one spouse priorto the date of marriage. The court can order an unequal divisionif
an equal divisionwouldbe “unconscionable”butthe OntarioCourtof Appeal hasruledthat
unequal divisionsshouldonlybe orderedinrare circumstances. ContactD. IanKilgourto
determine yourrightsandobligationsunderthe FamilyLaw Act.
 DIVISION OFPROPERTYFOR COMMON LAW COUPLES. InManitoba andBritishColumbiathere
isstatutory provisionfordivisionof assetsforco-habitingcouples. InOntariothe divisionof
assetsof commonlaw couplesismore complicatedandislargelydeterminedbywhateach
spouse contributedtothe accumulationof the familyassets.The contributioncanbe non-
monetary if itassistedthe otherspouse inthe accumulationof assets.ContactD.Ian Kilgourto
obtainadvice onthe divisionof assetsforunmarriedspouses.
 DIVISION OFPENSIONS.InOntariothe divisionof pensions formarriedspouses isguidedbya
formulainthe PensionBenefitsAct.Yourpensionproviderwill determine the valueof your
pensionfromthe date of marriage to the date of separation. Before agreeingtoanysettlement,
court order,or separationagreementitisimportantthatyou contact D. IanKilgourto
determine yourobligationsorentitlementtopensiondivision.
 SPOUSALSUPPORT. Unlike childsupport, there are nomandatoryguidelinesforspousal
support.Howeverinrecentyearsspousal supportguidelineshave beendevelopedtoprovide

4. the court withassistance.The Divorce Actand FamilyLaw Act of Ontariohave a listof
considerationsthatthe courtshouldtake intoaccountin determiningspousalsupportfrom
marriedandcommon-lawcouples. Theyinclude the lengthof the relationship,the needfor
support,the disparityinincomes,the role thateitherpartyplayedincaringforchildren,andthe
abilityof the lowerearningspouse tobecome self-sufficient. Spousal supportdoes not
automaticallycease if the recipientspouseremarriesorentersintoacommonlaw relationship.
Further,a spouse isnotbarred fromseekingspousal supportsolelybecause they have
committedadultery. ContactD.IanKilgourtodiscussspousal supportobligationsor
entitlement.
 CHILD PROTECTION. Whena Children’sAidSociety (CAS) contactsyouaboutyourchildrenitis
extremelyimportantthatyoucontactD. Ian Kilgourimmediately. YourfirstmeetingwithCAS
coulddetermine whethertheyclose theirfile orapprehendyourchildren. Theyhave immense
authorityif they feel thatyourchildrenare inneedof protectionandthe assistance of
experiencedcounsel isvital tohelpinsatisfyingtheirconcerns.If yourchildrenare apprehended
by CASand youare servedwithaNotice of ApplicationandNotice of Motioncontact Mr. Kilgour
immediately. Youdohave the rightto respondtothe CASallegationsandpresentyourown
evidence tothe court. The CAS doeshave immense authority,butinthe endtheyhave tojustify
theiractionsto a judge. However,if youdonotprepare yourAnswer/Planof Care and Affidavit,
the judge will onlyhave CAS’side of the storytoconsiderandmay make a temporaryorder
withoutconsiderationof yourversionof the factsor the availabilityof otherfamilymembersto
care for yourchildrenona temporarybasis.Donot delay.Call Ian right away.
 VARIATION APPLICATIONS. Normallyagreementsorcourt ordersregardingpropertymatters
are final. Support,custody,access,andcustodyordersandagreementscanbe variedif there is
a “material change incircumstances”. Overthe years,situationschange andthe law does
provide the flexibilitytodeal withthose changes. Childsupportcanbe increasedordecreasedif
the payor has a raise or decrease inincome. Daycare expensescanbe endedwhenachild
attendsschool full time. Spousalsupportcanchange if the recipientremarriesorhasan
increase inincome.CustodyandAccessordersfrequentlychange totake intoaccountthe
children’sactivities,interests,andmaturity. CourtordersandAgreementscanbe changedby
consentor bya Motionto Change.For childsupportpayorsitisimportantthat they do not
unilaterallystoppayingsupportwhenachildfinishesschoolorturns18 yearsold.You may
receive anotice fromthe FamilyResponsibilityOffice thatyourdriver’slicence isgoingtobe
suspendedoryoumaylose yourincome tax refundif youhave not properlydealtwiththe issue
of terminatingsupport. If youreceive sucha Notice,call D.Ian Kilgourrightawayinorder to
preventapassportor driver’slicence suspension.
 MEDIATION.There isa growingtrendinfamilylaw toattemptto mediate disputes.Mediation
can helpresolve issuesthatwouldtake longertoresolveinaverybusycourt system. There are
optionsinOntarioforlimitedfree mediationservicesandinadditionthereare professional
mediatorswhocanbe hiredbythe parties. Many people are of the mistakenimpressionthat
mediationisan alternative tohiringlawyers. Counsel have averyimportantrole toplayin
mediation. Formediationtobe successful,the partiesmust be aware of theirrightsand

5. responsibilitiesandthe relativestrengths andweaknessesof theirpositions. D.Ian Kilgourhas
the experience andknowledge tobe able toadvise youbefore andduringthe mediationprocess
inorder that youcan come toan agreementthatisinyourbestinterestsandinthe best
interestsof yourchildren.
CRIMINALLAW
 WHAT DO I DO IF POLICE ASKME TO COME TO THE STATION? The easyansweristo call D. Ian
Kilgourrightaway. It islikelythatthe police have evidencethatyouhave committeda
criminal offence andthatyouare likelytobe arrestedandchargedwithanoffence. Youneed
to contact Ian rightaway to discussthe interview processanditsconsequences. If youare
arresteditis extremelyimportantthatyoudo notdiscussanyoffence withthe police untilyou
have spokentocounsel. Youdo have the rightto speakwithcounsel of yourchoice so
wheneverapolice officerasksif youwishto speak to counsel say“yes,mylawyerisD. Ian
KilgourandI wishto speakwithhimnow”.
 BAIL APPLICATIONS. If youare arrestedand detainedincustodyyouwill be takentocourtthe
nextdayfor a bail application. Youwill likelyneedtohave asuretyincourt to tell the court
that youcan live withthemandthattheywill supervise you. The suretywill usuallyhave tobe
able to satisfythe courtthat theyhave the financial means,usuallyhome ownership,tomake
paymenttothe court if youdo not complywithyourbail conditions.If youare onprobationor
are on bail foranotheroffence,bail ismore difficultto obtainandyoumay require more than
one suretyif youare to be released.Call Mr.Kilgourtodiscussstrategyforyour bail
application.
 PLEA NEGOTIATIONS. If youare preparedto acknowledgethatyou committed anoffence and
that youintendedtocommitthe offence youmaybe preparedininstructme to act on your
behalf fora guiltyplea. Itisunethical fora lawyertoact fora clientona guiltypleaif the
clientdoes notadmitto the offence.Call D.IanKilgourinorderthat he can review your
disclosure withthe Crown,andprepare submissionstothe courtto obtain the bestpossible
result.
 IMPAIREDDRIVING& DRIVINGWHILE OVER.08. These are bothoffencesunderthe Criminal
Code of Canada. There are seriousconsequencestobeingconvictedof these charges. You
will have acriminal recordwhichmayresultinyou havinggreatdifficultyinfinding
employment. Inadditionyouwillface asubstantial fine orimprisonment.Youwill be
disqualifiedfromdrivinganymotorvehicle andatthe endof yourdisqualificationyoumaynot
be able to qualifyforautomobileinsurance. Itisextremelyimportantthatyoucontact counsel
if you have beendetainedbypolice andaskedtotake the breathalysertest. Youwill be asked
if you wishtospeakto a lawyer. Make sure thatyou do nottake the breathtestor discuss
matterswiththe police until youhave spoken toMr. Kilgour. There are defencesthatare
available tothese charges,soitisimportantthat,if you are charged, youcontact Ian right
away todiscussyour options.
 TRIAL MATTERS. There are twolevelsof trial courtsfor criminal mattersinOntario,the
OntarioCourt of Justice andthe OntarioSuperiorCourtof Justice. The SuperiorCourthears

6. onlymattersthat are proceedingbywayof indictment(moreseriouscharges) andhearstrials
withor withoutajury. In a matterthat isproceedingbywayof indictmentyouhave arightto
preliminaryindictmentinwhichthe Crownhastoprove that theyhave sufficientevidencefor
the matter to proceedtotrial.Trial lawyershave tobe skilledinquestioningwitnessesand
knowledgeable aboutthe law. Inaddition,preparationfortrial iscrucial to the presentationof
evidence andargument. D.IanKilgourhasthe experiencetogive youa strongdefence.
 SENTENCING. If you pleadguilty,orare foundguiltyfollowingtrial,the law recognizesmany
factors thata judge musttake intoaccount whendeterminingapropersentence.Ianwill work
withyouto ensure thatthe court isaware of all yourmitigatingfactors,pluswhatstepsyou
are takingto ensure thatyouare not before the courtsagain. For those whohave committed
offencesbecause of anunderlyingsubstanceabuse ormental healthproblem, itisimportant
to showto the court that youare takingstepsto treatthose problems. Judgeshave agreat
deal of discretioninsentencing.Itisimportantthatyouhave experiencedcounsel tomaking
submissionstothe courton yourbehalf inorderto getthe court to exercise itsdiscretionin
your favour.
CIVILLITIGATION
EMPLOYMENT LAW. In a unionizedworkplace,employee andmanagementrightsare
governedbythe collectiveagreement. Disputesbetweenemployeesandmanagementare
resolvedthroughagrievance procedure. Unionizedemployees,if dismissedordisciplined
mustuse the grievance procedure inthe collectiveagreementandcannotnormallyfile aclaim
incourt.
For non-unionemployees,employmentisacontract betweenthe employerandemployee.If
the employmentisterminatedwithoutjustcause,the employeeisentitledtonotice thatthe
contract is to be terminated. The employercanelecttopaythe employee uponterminationa
sumof moneyinlieuof notice if the employerdoesnotwishthe employeetoremainduring
the notice period.
There are minimumrequirementsfornotice andseverance.Forfederallyregulatedindustries
such as airlines,banks,andrailways,the CanadaLabourCode setsoutthe minimum
requirements. InOntario,provinciallyregulatedindustriesare coveredbythe Employment
StandardsAct. You do not have to signanyrelease oragreementinordertoreceive your
statutoryentitlements. Donotsignany documentuntil youhave consultedwithD.IanKilgour.
The statutory requirementsare aminimumstandard.Unlessthere isawrittenemployment
contract settingoutthe notice periods,orpayin lieuof notice,anemployee canproceedto
court to claimfor damagesforbreachof the employmentcontract.The courts take several
factors intoaccountin determiningtheirawardsincludinglengthof service,whetherthe
employeewasrecruitedfromanotherjob, availability of workinthe industry, age of the
employee,andthe positionheldbythe employee.Anysettlementreceivedissubjectto
statutorydeductionsasitis consideredincome.

7. If terminationisfor“cause”thenno damagesare awarded. Justcause for termination
includes,dishonesty,conflictof interest,workplace violence orotherillegal activity.
If you are an employeroremployee,itisimportantthatyoucontact D. Ian Kilgourforadvice
whenan employee istobe terminated. He has the experience tobe able tobe able to give
advice onthe variousoptionsthatare available toresolve the issues arisingoutof a
termination.
There may be circumstanceswhere youmaybe entitledtocompensationevenif youresign
your position. If the environmentatworkisoppressive,orif yourjobtitle andresponsibilities
have beenchanged,youmaybe able to claimthat the employmentcontracthas been
breachedand that youare entitledtodamagesfor“constructive dismissal”. Make sure that
youcontact Ian prior to decidingtoresigntogetadvice onwhetheryoucan claimthat you
were “constructivelydismissed”.
CONTRACTDISPUTES. Mortgages,leases,loanagreements, insurance contracts, sales
contracts, service agreements,insurance contracts,carriage of goods,are all examplesof
contracts. If the termsof a contract are indispute,itisimportantthatthe partiesreceive legal
advice. There can be substantial damages awardedif apartyin foundtobe inbreachof a
contract. D. Ian Kilgourisexperiencedin reviewingand interpretingagreementsandcan
advise youof your legal rightsandoptionsunderthe contract.
He isexperiencedinlitigationandwill fightforyourrightsunderthe agreement.
If you are beingsuedforbreachof an agreement,contactMr. Kilgourrightaway. There are
deadlinesforrespondingtoa claimand itis importantthatyour rightsare protected. Ianwill
advise youof possible defencestothe claimandany possible counterclaim. Currentlythe
OntarioSmall Claimscourthas jurisdictionoverclaimsupto$25,000.00. Claimsupto
$100,000.00 are dealtwithinthe SuperiorCourtof Justice underSimplifiedRules.
PERSONALINJURYMATTERS. Automobile accidentcases inOntarioare generallygoverned
throughthe Ontariono faultbenefits plan.Thereare time limitsandformstobe submitted.
Contact D. Ian Kilgourto ensure thatyougetthe benefitsthatyouare entitledto. Serious
permanentinjuriescanbe pursuedinthe courtsto claimfor lostincome,painandsuffering,
care giverexpensesandotherdamagescausedbythe injury. Inaddition,familymembersmay
be able to bringa claim fortheirlossof companionship.Itisimportantthatyouhave
experienced,aggressive,andcompassionatecounseltoobtainthe fundingthatyourequire
and deserve.
OCCUPIERS’LIABILITY. The occupierof a propertyhas an obligationtokeepthe propertyina
safe conditionandcan be liable if theyallowedthe premises tobe unsafe causinginjury.In
Canada manyinjuriesare causedbyownersortenantsfailingtoclearsnow or ice. If youare
injuredongovernmentproperty,youhave verystricttime limitsanditiscrucial thatyou call
D. Ian Kilgourrightaway.

8. ESTATE DISPUTES. Whena familymemberdies,thereisoftenagreatdeal of uncertaintyover
howthe estate isto be decided,particularlywhenthere isnowill. Inmanycasesassetsare
takenor distributed withoutregardtothe Succession Law ReformActor FamilyLaw Act.In
some cases,trusteeswill improperlydeal withestate assetsfortheirownbenefit.Whena
spouse orparent diesitisimportantthatyou contact Mr. Kilgourtoreceive advice aboutyour
entitlementtothe estate andtoseekan orderfromthe court if the estate assetsare dealt
withimproperly.
INJUNCTIONS. A courtcan grant an injunctionpreventingapartyfromfurtherwrongdoingor
orderinga partyto performan action. It is extremelyimportantthatyouproceedtocourt as
quicklyaspossible inorderpreventpermanentlossordamage.
LIMITATION OF ACTIONS. InOntariothere isa two yeartime limittocommence anaction
afterthe “cause of action” has occurred. If youare owedmoney,orif youhave sufferedan
injury,youmaylose yourrightto sue fordamagesif youhave delayedtoolongincommencing
an action. There is notime limitationforpursuingchildsupportaschildsupportisthe rightof
the child howeverthe courtmaynot allow a claimforretroactive supportif youhave delayed
for toolong.There are time limitationsforpursuinganequalizationof netfamily property
underthe FamilyLawAct. Contact D. Ian Kilgourtoensure thatyoudo not missany
“limitationperiods”andlose yourrighttohave your case heardby the courts.