Getting legal help
Family law
Family law deals with all legal issues that can be heard in a family court. This includes divorce and separation, child custody and access, and support payments. Family law is about relationships and rights within families.
If you are entering the family court system for the first time, the Family Law Information Program is an excellent resource. This free, online service gives you basic information on the family court process, legal definitions and more.
Family law services
Legal Aid Ontario provides many services for family matters, including:
Family Law Information Centres (FLIC): If you don’t have a lawyer, FLICs offer free legal assistance and advice in many Ontario courthouses that deal with family matters.
Family Law Service Centres (FLSC): Services available at the six FLSCs including help with documents, and representation by a lawyer.
Family Law Offices: These two offices in Ottawa and Thunder Bay offer a range of legal services.
Family duty counsel: If you don’t have a lawyer, duty counsel can assist you in court with matters such as child custody or support.
Family Law Information Program: A free online resource for those about to enter the family court system.
Summary legal advice: Up to 20 minutes of legal advice given over the phone; available through Legal Aid Ontario’s toll-free number.
The certificate program: Eligible, low-income Ontarians can apply for full representation by a lawyer through the certificate program. A private lawyer who accepts legal aid clients (or a lawyer at a FLO or FLSC), can assist with family matters such as custody; child access, support, and protection issues; restraining orders; property divisions and more.
You must be financially eligible to qualify for these services, and your legal matter must be one for which Legal Aid Ontario provides services.
Questions
Choose the question that best fits your situation:
Domestic abuse or violence
Are you or your children experiencing domestic abuse or violence?
Are you or your children experiencing domestic abuse or violence?
Immediate help is available through the Assaulted Women's Helpline if you or your children are experiencing violence or the effects of violence, crisis, and abuse. Read more.
Child custody, access, or support issues
Has the Children's Aid Society (CAS) taken, or wants to take, your children into care?
Has the Children's Aid Society (CAS) taken, or wants to take, your children into care?
Legal Aid Ontario assists eligible clients with this type of matter. Call Legal Aid Ontario toll free (1-800-668-8258) to find out if we can help you.
Does someone other than the Children’s Aid Society want to adopt your children but you don't agree?
Does someone other than the Children’s Aid Society want to adopt your children but you don't agree?
Legal Aid Ontario assists eligible clients with this type of matter. Call Legal Aid Ontario toll free (1-800-668-8258) to find out if we can help you.
Are you trying to get child custody, access, or support?
Legal Aid Ontario may provide assistance for child custody, access, and support in "contested matters." This means that parents or guardians cannot agree on an issue concerning their children. Call Legal Aid Ontario toll free (1-800-668-8258) to find out if we can help you.
Are you or someone else contesting custody, access, or support for your children?
Are you or someone else contesting custody, access, or support for your children?
Legal Aid Ontario may provide assistance for child custody, access, and support in "contested matters." This means that parents or guardians cannot agree on an issue concerning their children. Call Legal Aid Ontario toll free (1-800-668-8258) to find out if we can help you.
Do you want to change your spousal or child support order?
Legal Aid Ontario does not provide coverage to change a spousal or child support order unless there are major changes in circumstances. Contact a Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) for more information.
Divorce and separation
Are you trying to get a divorce or separation agreement?
Legal Aid Ontario’s duty counsel can help eligible clients with this matter. Find out more about family duty counsel.
Summary legal advice is also available for some family legal issues. Call us toll free at 1-800-668-8258 to find out more.
Are you applying for assistance with a status review hearing?
Are you applying for assistance with a status review hearing?
Legal Aid Ontario’s duty counsel can help eligible clients with this matter. Find out more about family duty counsel.
Summary legal advice is also available for some family legal issues. Call us toll free at 1-800-668-8258 to find out more.
What is mediation and how does it work?
Mediation is a way of resolving disputes outside of the courtroom, with the help of a trained mediator. Find out more about family mediation.
Are you trying to get spousal support?
Legal Aid Ontario’s duty counsel can help eligible clients with this matter. Find out more about family duty counsel.
Summary legal advice is also available for some family legal issues. Call us toll free at 1-800-668-8258 to find out more.
Power of attorney and wills
Does Legal Aid Ontario handle power of attorney/wills and estate matters?
Does Legal Aid Ontario handle power of attorney/wills and estate matters?
Legal Aid Ontario does not cover power of attorney or wills and estates.
You can check with your local community legal clinic to see if they can help you with your wills and estates matter.
If your legal matter is not listed here, call us toll free at 1-800-668-8258 for more information, or try another category (e.g. civil law).
Other resources
The Ministry of the Attorney General’s website has lots of information on family law.
See our Other Resources section for more family law information.
Please note that these are external links and we are not responsible for their content.
