Family legal issues
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.
We might be able to help if you qualify and if:
- you need to decide custody, support or access
- Children’s Aid has your children or contacted you
Working on things outside of court
You do not have to go to court to decide every legal issue. If you and your ex want to work together, you can mediate.
We have mediators in Milton, Ottawa, Brampton, Peel and Newmarket that can help you if you qualify. If you do not qualify, we can refer you to other mediators who are either free or charge you depending on what you’re able to pay.
If you do not qualify for a lawyer we may still be able to help
You can get help from the Family Law Information Centre at your courthouse if you qualify. The legal aid lawyer (called advice lawyers) can give you up to 20 minutes of free general advice. The advice lawyer may also be able to give you a referral to a family law service centre. If there is no advice lawyer available, you will find various brochures and fact sheets to help guide you.
Check the table below to see if you qualify for advice lawyer services.
COVID-19: Beginning March 24, you can speak to an advice lawyer over the phone about your family matter without having to qualify.
| Number of family members | How much money does your family earn in a year? |
|---|---|
| 1 | $22,720 |
| 2 | $32,131 |
| 3 | $39,352 |
| 4 | $45,440 |
| 5+ | $50,803 |
Family law information program
As of January 1, 2021, the online version of Mandatory Information Program is no longer be available on LAO’s website.
Did a judge tell you to take a course about family law because you are separating or getting a divorce?
Contact your local family mediation and information services centre for more information about participating in a Mandatory Information Program.
Related Pages
Temporary service changes due to COVID-19
Last updated: August 13, 2020 As part of our response to the COVID-19 emergency, all of our office locations, including those in courthouses, are closed until further notice. We continue to provide legal aid services via telephone only. Call us at: Toll-free: 1-800-668-8258 GTA:…
Learn more about common legal problems
Do you have a legal problem and live in Ontario? Steps to Justice provides practical information on common legal problems including: step-by-step information to help you work through your legal problems practical tools, such as checklists, fillable forms, and self-help guides…
Making a motion to change without a lawyer
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. A motion to change is the process you…
Youth (family)
We can help you if Children’s Aid has your children. Go to our legal aid lawyer at the family courthouse (they are called duty counsel) and that lawyer may: help you get an access order, which is supervised time with your children, or another temporary order that allows you…
Getting help in the courtroom
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. COVID-19: Beginning March 24, you can…