Frequently Asked Questions

Ontario notaries can administer oaths and take affidavits, witness signatures on statutory declarations, certify true copies of original documents, witness consent-to-travel letters for minors, and notarize a wide range of personal, real estate, and international documents. If you are unsure, send Stephanie a photo of the document and she will confirm before the visit.

No. Generally the signature must be made in the presence of the notary. Bring the document unsigned — and bring valid government-issued photo ID (driver's licence, passport, or Ontario photo card).

Anywhere convenient to you within the Niagara Region — your home, office, hospital, retirement residence, or a quiet coffee shop. Mobile notary service means Stephanie comes to you.

Stephanie can notarize the document. Some destination countries also require an authentication and apostille from Global Affairs Canada, which is a separate provincial / federal step. She will explain whether this likely applies to your situation.

No — Stephanie offers mobile notary service only. She comes to you, on your schedule, anywhere in the Niagara Region.

Paying the ticket is a guilty plea. It puts demerit points on your record (where applicable) and is reported to your insurer, which can increase your premiums for years. Before paying, it is almost always worth a free quarter-hour conversation with Stephanie to understand what the conviction will actually cost you.

In most Provincial Offences Act matters, no — Stephanie attends Early Resolution meetings, prosecutor discussions, and trials by Zoom on your behalf. You typically only need to attend if you are testifying. This means she can represent you anywhere in Ontario from Niagara.

For Provincial Offences Act matters — including most traffic tickets — paralegals and lawyers have the same rights of audience in court. Paralegals typically charge less because their scope is narrower and their training is focused. For a routine speeding or careless driving charge there is no functional advantage to hiring a lawyer.

Stunt driving covers behaviours like driving 40+ km/h over the limit (or 50+ on roads with a posted limit of 80 km/h or more), street racing, and certain dangerous manoeuvres. As of 2022 the police-side consequences begin at the roadside: 30-day licence suspension and 14-day vehicle impoundment. Conviction adds heavy fines, a long licence suspension, and major insurance impact. These charges are very defensible — do not plead guilty without advice.

Stephanie quotes flat fees for most traffic and POA matters once she has reviewed the ticket. The first quarter-hour conversation is always free.

Yes — but only on summary conviction offences in the Ontario Court of Justice. Paralegals cannot represent clients on indictable offences, hybrid offences where the Crown elects indictably, or any offence with a maximum penalty over six months as a pure summary charge. When you reach out, Stephanie will check the specific charge and tell you straight away whether she can take it.

Common examples include simple assault, mischief, theft under $5,000 (when the Crown proceeds summarily), fail to comply with a probation order or undertaking, causing a disturbance, and certain summary driving-related Criminal Code offences. The Crown's election controls — so even a charge that "sounds" minor may fall outside scope if the Crown elects indictably.

A first appearance is administrative — no plea, no trial. The Crown's disclosure (police evidence) is requested, the matter is adjourned to give defence time to review, and case-management dates are set. Stephanie can attend the first appearance for you so you do not have to take a day off work.

Often yes — for summary convictions, after a 5-year wait following completion of sentence, you can apply to the Parole Board of Canada for a record suspension. Stephanie focuses on getting the best outcome at the front end so a record either does not happen or is the kind that can later be suspended.

Step one is serving an N4 — Notice to End Tenancy for Non-Payment of Rent. The tenant has a void period (currently 14 days for monthly tenancies) to pay the arrears in full and end the notice. If they do not, Stephanie files an L1 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board. A Zoom hearing is scheduled, and at the hearing the LTB can order payment of arrears and termination of the tenancy.

Wait times move with Board capacity. Recent guidance from the LTB has been months rather than weeks for L1/L2 hearings. Stephanie tracks current scheduling and will give you a realistic timeline at intake.

No. In Ontario, a residential tenancy can only be ended by an LTB order or by the tenant's voluntary agreement. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is illegal and exposes the landlord to substantial penalties. The LTB process is the correct path.

Stephanie focuses her LTB practice on the landlord side and does not currently take tenant-side matters. If you are a tenant, she can refer you to a community legal clinic or duty counsel program.

Yes. The LTB hears most matters by Zoom regardless of where the rental property is located, so Stephanie can represent landlords anywhere in Ontario.

No — Stephanie is a paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. Paralegals are independently regulated legal professionals with defined scope: Provincial Offences, summary criminal, Small Claims Court, Landlord and Tenant Board, traffic, and certain tribunals. For matters outside paralegal scope, Stephanie will refer you to a qualified lawyer.

It is exactly what it sounds like — fifteen minutes by phone or Zoom, no charge, no obligation. Stephanie will hear you out, give you a straight answer about whether your matter is within her scope, and quote a flat fee or hourly arrangement if she can take the file.

For most traffic, POA, and notary matters — yes. For longer-running LTB and summary criminal matters, fees may be a hybrid of retainer plus hourly. You will always know the structure before you commit.

Stephanie is based in Port Colborne and serves clients throughout the Niagara Region in person (mobile notary). For court and tribunal matters that proceed by Zoom, she represents clients across Ontario.