ABOUT US

Your Partners in Life, Wealth, and Legacy

GTA Family & Estate Law


Proudly based in Brampton for over 30 years, Sterling Law is the trusted advisor for individuals, families, and business owners throughout the Greater Toronto Area. We provide sophisticated legal counsel to a diverse clientele, from our home in the Peel Region to the vibrant communities of Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and beyond. We are the strategic partner you seek to protect your assets and secure your family’s future through periods of growth and transition.


Life moves in stages. Some we plan for, and others arrive unexpectedly. Led by Principal Lawyer Helen Sterling-Clarke, our team offers over 42 years of combined experience to help you navigate these moments with confidence and discretion. We understand that behind every file are real people with unique aspirations. Our mission is to offer tailored strategies that protect your wealth, preserve your legacy, and bring you peace of mind.


We believe in forward-thinking planning. Our integrated approach to family and estate law helps you take control, reducing the stress that comes with life events like death or divorce, especially in cases involving complex family assets or business succession planning.

Strategic Family Law: Protecting Your Future in Ontario

Emotional times require clear, strategic thinking. Our approach to family law is grounded in empathy, financial acumen, and practical solutions, safeguarding your stability through:

  • Marriage Contracts & Prenuptial Agreements: Proactively protect your personal and business assets under Ontario’s Family Law Act. A well-drafted prenuptial or cohabitation agreement provides clarity for couples, especially those entering a relationship with significant assets or business interests.
  • Complex Property & Asset Division: We have extensive experience in the equalization of net family property involving challenging assets like private corporations, stock options, professional practices, family trusts, and pensions.
  • Separation Agreements: Crafting fair and sustainable agreements that provide a clear path forward for both parties.
  • Child & Spousal Support: Navigating the Federal Child Support Guidelines and spousal support considerations for clients with complex income structures, including corporate and investment income.
  • Parenting Time & Decision-Making Responsibility: Developing parenting plans focused on the best interests of your children.
  • Collaborative Family Law & Mediation: Empowering you to reach respectful, private resolutions outside of court.


While skilled negotiators dedicated to settlement, we are also formidable litigators, prepared to defend your interests in court when required. We listen to your priorities and build a strategy to achieve them.

Building Your Legacy: Ontario Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning

Thoughtful estate planning is a profound gift to your loved ones. It ensures your legacy endures as you intend. Our estate lawyers work with families and entrepreneurs across the GTA to develop comprehensive plans governed by Ontario law:

  • Strategic Will Preparation: Crafting detailed wills that minimize potential disputes. For business owners, this includes creating primary and secondary wills to reduce estate administration tax (probate fees).
  • Powers of Attorney for Property & Personal Care: Appointing trusted individuals to make critical financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf under Ontario’s Substitute Decisions Act.
  • Customized Estate Planning & Trusts: Developing sophisticated strategies for wealth preservation, tax minimization, and seamless business succession, including the use of family trusts and planning for blended families.
  • Estate Administration (Probate): Guiding executors through the process of obtaining a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee and administering an estate with compassion and efficiency.
  • Guardianship Applications: Assisting in the legal process to protect the well-being of minors or vulnerable adults.


Accessible Legal Expertise, Wherever You Are

Your convenience is paramount. Sterling Law offers a seamless blend of in-person and secure virtual services to meet your needs.

  • In-Person Meetings: Connect with our team at our Brampton office.
  • Virtual Consultations: Receive expert legal advice via secure video conferencing across the GTA.
  • Virtual Signings: Execute important documents efficiently from your home or office.


Why Families & Business Owners Choose Sterling Law

  • Experience & Expertise: Over four decades of combined experience in complex family and estate law in Ontario.
  • Expertise in Complex Financial Matters: Deep experience navigating the intricacies of family businesses, investment portfolios, and significant property assets.
  • Discreet & Compassionate Counsel: We handle sensitive matters with the utmost respect for your privacy and well-being.
  • Proactive & Strategic: We focus on preventative planning to protect your assets and minimize future conflict.
  • Versatile & Formidable: Skilled in negotiation, mediation, and courtroom litigation.
  • Personalized Service: Clear communication and strategies tailored to your specific goals.