Fishman Family Law

Fishman Family Law stands as one of Winnipeg's most enduring and respected family law practices, built on a foundation of over 50 years of experience helping families navigate separation, divorce, and related matters. Located at 1400-363 Broadway in downtown Winnipeg, the firm has become synonymous with quality family law representation and genuine commitment to protecting clients' rights and avoiding unnecessary court dispute. The practice is built around Len Fishman, who has been practicing family law in Manitoba since 1975—more than 50 years of consistent, dedicated service to families navigating separation and divorce. This extraordinary longevity speaks to the quality of service Fishman Family Law provides and clients' willingness to recommend the firm to friends and family members facing similar circumstances. Alongside Len Fishman works Terry Beley, bringing decades of experience to the practice, and Noah Fishman, who has been gaining experience since 2012. The combination of Len's half-century of experience, Terry's substantial background, and Noah's emerging expertise creates a practice offering both wisdom and contemporary perspective. The firm's experience with all levels of divorce matters, from straightforward uncontested divorces to highly contested disputes, reflects the breadth of experience the team has accumulated over decades. For clients navigating uncontested divorce—situations where both spouses agree on major issues—Fishman Family Law provides the legal guidance and documentation expertise necessary to finalize divorces efficiently and cost-effectively. The firm helps clients understand divorce process requirements, draft necessary agreements, and complete paperwork accurately. What might seem like a simple administrative process can involve subtle legal questions, and having experienced counsel ensures that straightforward divorces proceed smoothly. For contested divorces—situations where spouses disagree about property division, support amounts, custody, or parenting time—Fishman Family Law brings extensive litigation and negotiation experience. The team understands that contested divorces often involve complex financial questions, disputes about income, and disagreement about how children's best interests are served. The firm has guided hundreds of families through these disputed matters, developing sophisticated understanding of what approaches work and what approaches ultimately prolong conflict. The firm's practice in spousal and partner support reflects deep expertise in this sometimes-contentious area. Support questions involve calculating fair amounts according to Manitoba law, determining duration and modification provisions, and negotiating how support interacts with property division and tax considerations. The firm's lawyers can explain to clients the rationale behind support calculations and advocate effectively for their positions in negotiations and courtroom proceedings. Child custody and child support matters receive particular attention. The firm recognizes that custody disputes involve fundamental questions about parenting and children's wellbeing, extending far beyond mere legal calculations. The team helps parents understand their legal rights regarding decision-making and parenting time, the factors courts consider in making custody determinations, and how to advocate for arrangements genuinely serving children's best interests. Child support calculations receive the detailed analysis necessary to ensure fairness and compliance with Manitoba guidelines. Protection orders and family violence matters similarly receive serious attention. For clients experiencing family violence, the firm can help obtain protective orders and navigate the legal consequences of violence. The firm's experience includes representing clients in family violence contexts with the sensitivity necessary for these difficult situations. The firm's expertise in family property reflects sophisticated understanding of Manitoba's complex rules regarding property classification and division. Some property is clearly marital, subject to division. Other property may be separate property, protected from division. Still other property falls into gray areas requiring careful legal analysis. The firm helps clients understand their property rights and advocates effectively in disputes about property classification and fair division. Pension and retirement account issues represent specialized knowledge areas where the firm brings particular expertise. Pensions and retirement accounts often constitute the largest assets in family law disputes but frequently receive insufficient attention in settlement negotiations. The firm helps clients understand pension valuation, RRSP treatment, and how retirement accounts should be divided to achieve fair outcomes while minimizing tax consequences. For clients uncertain about divorce costs, Fishman Family Law provides clear information about likely expenses. A truly uncontested divorce in Winnipeg costs between $1,500 to $3,000 inclusive of fees, disbursements, and GST, representing a cost-effective way to finalize straightforward divorces. Contested matters necessarily cost more, reflecting the additional legal work required, but the firm works to resolve disputes as efficiently as possible. For families in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba seeking family law representation characterized by over 50 years of consistent excellence, deep expertise across all family law matters, and genuine commitment to protecting clients' rights and minimizing unnecessary conflict, Fishman Family Law represents the clear choice. The firm's reputation for quality, its accessibility, and its track record of successfully resolving family law matters have made it the firm Winnipeg families trust when navigating separation and divorce.