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COVID-19 updates
We’ve temporarily changed some of our services.

Legal Aid Ontario is moving!
Starting April 2023, Legal Aid Ontario’s Provincial Office, Toronto Family Law Services Office, Criminal Senior Counsel Services Office, and Refugee Law Office will be located on the seventh floor of the Atrium on Bay.

Legal Aid Ontario
Atrium on Bay
20 Dundas St. West
Suite 730

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Français LAO Client Portal
Français LAO Client Portal
  • Services
    • Temporary service changes due to COVID-19
    • COVID-19 and the courts: Answers to frequently asked questions
    • Our services
    • Criminal legal issues
    • Domestic Violence
    • Family legal issues
    • Mental health legal issues
    • Refugee and immigration legal issues
    • Legal clinics
    • How to apply
    • Find a lawyer
      • Finding the right legal aid lawyer
    • What do you think about our services?
  • For legal professionals
    • COVID-19: Ongoing list of supports for lawyers
    • LASA 2020 process updates for lawyers
    • Changes to policies and certificate coverage
    • Roster resources
      • Audit & Compliance
      • Billing
      • Case management
      • Forms library
      • Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 policies
      • Legal Aid Online
      • LAO LAW
      • Minimum experience requirements
      • More resources
    • Do legal aid work
    • Mentoring
    • Test case funding
    • News for lawyers
    • B3 Newsletters
    • Contacts for lawyers
  • Corporate
    • About
      • By-laws
      • Our clients
      • Board of Directors
      • Executive Team
      • Board Advisory Committees
      • Sidney B. Linden Award
      • French Language Services
    • Legal Aid Services Act, 2020
      • LASA 2020 Rules and Policies
      • LASA 2020 glossary
    • Consultations
    • LAO Consultation Registry
    • Open Government
    • Reports
    • Publications
    • News
    • Social media
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • FAQ

Has Children’s Aid contacted you or taken your kids?

Important notice:
Some of our services have temporarily changed due to the COVID‑19 crisis. The information provided on this page may no longer be accurate. Please visit our COVID‑19 client page to learn how this may impact you.

Talk to a lawyer immediately. Do not sign anything.

If you qualify, then we can help you if you:

  • want to see your children.
  • want your children at home with you.
  • are a family member or a member of the child’s Indigenous community and you want the child to stay with you.
  • want to see and talk with your child even though they have been placed for adoption.

Sometimes, you can work with Children’s Aid without going to court. You may qualify for a lawyer to help you with:

  • a voluntary agreement. This means you work with Children’s Aid to help you care for your child. For example, you could get counselling or tested for drugs. You can get help for an addiction or let Children’s Aid visit your home.
  • a customary care agreement. This is when someone (not the mother or father) cares for a First Nations, Métis or Inuit child in a way that they can stay connected to their band or culture.
  • a temporary care agreement. This is when Children’s Aid agrees to take care of your child for a short time because you cannot, and you do not have friends or family who can. For example, you might have to leave the country suddenly or need medical care.
  • participating in a traditional First Nations, Métis or Inuit talking circle.

Getting help in court

If you qualify for legal aid, you may be eligible for a family lawyer who can represent you in court. Your legal aid lawyer can help with:

  • preparing court documents
  • bringing forward motions
  • participating in settlement negotiations
  • conducting an in-depth file review
  • assisting a “third party caregiver” (e.g., family member or close family friend) in gaining permission to keep the child in their care
  • negotiating a resolution of your case outside of the courts.

Has children’s aid contacted you? (PDF)


How do I apply for legal aid?


  • This form is feedback only.

Questions

How do I apply for legal aid?

You can: apply online—currently only available for people who do not own any property and either: receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program payments have no income are new to Canada are living in a shelter are incarcerated call us at 1‑800‑668‑8258 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (The best time to call is…

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Need legal help?

Call us toll free at 1‑800‑668‑8258 Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) for help in over 300 languages.

Current wait time: The CLSC is currently closed.

Wait times: Monday is our busiest day. For faster service, try calling Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Legal Aid Ontario is a safe and respectful space for our clients and employees. Verbal or threats of physical abuse will not be tolerated. Abusive behaviour may result in refusal of service.

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Land acknowledgement: Legal Aid Ontario recognizes that its work, and the work of its community partners take place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province.

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