Services in Ontario
Out‑of‑court options
Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General – Family Mediation
Family mediation services are available at family court locations in Ontario. Even if you don’t have a court case, you can get up to 8 hours of mediation for a fee based on your income. If you have a court case, you can get up to 2 hours of mediation for free at court.
You don’t need to be referred to mediation by a judge. Mediation is a voluntary process that all parties must agree to use, to try and resolve issues such as:
- how and when to separate
- custody and access
- child support
- spousal support
- dividing property
For more information, go to the Family Law Information Centre at the courthouse and speak with the Information and Referral Coordinator.
Website
ontario.ca/page/family-mediationContact Information
Phone: 416-326-2220 Toll-free: 1-800-518-7901 TTY: 416-326-4012 Toll-free TTY: 1-877-425-0575Family Law Information Centres (FLIC)
FLIC’s are available in every court in Ontario that deals with family law. All have free pamphlets. Many have staff who can:
- tell you about community and legal services
- explain the court process
- tell you about ways to solve legal issues without going to court
Some FLICs have advice lawyers at certain times. These are lawyers paid by Legal Aid Ontario to answer questions, give general legal advice, and review legal documents on family law issues.
Law Society Referral Service
The Law Society of Ontario has on online Law Society Referral Service that gives you the name of a lawyer or licensed paralegal who will give free legal advice for up to 30 minutes in any area of law.
If you can’t wait for a legal representative to call you back, or if you don’t have a call-back number, email lsrs@lso.ca. Or, if you’re in crisis or in custody, call 1-855-947-5255 or 416-947-5255, Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Ontario Legal Information Centre
The Ontario Legal Information Centre offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer to anyone in Ontario, online or by phone in English or French. They provide legal information on any legal topic, and referrals to services. Book a meeting online or call 1-844-343-7462 if you need help.
Ontario Association for Family Mediation
The association has an online directory to help you find an accredited family law mediator. You can serach by location, language, and name.
Family Mediation Canada
The association has an online tool to help you find an accredited family law mediator. You can serach by location, language, and name.
JusticeNet
JusticeNet is a not-for-profit organization that can help people find legal services when their income is too high for legal aid and too low to afford legal fees. Their website has a list of lawyers, paralegals, and mediators who charge reduced fees based on your income and the size of your family. You must register and pay a small fee to use their services.
Website
justicenet.caOntario Women’s Legal Centre
The Center offers free legal information and legal summary advice about family law, immigration and refugee law, housing law, and criminal law in cases of sexual assault in French to Francophone women in Ontario who are experiencing family violence. There is no financial eligibility test.
You must first call or email the legal support worker who will ask you for some information to understand your legal issue. A lawyer will call you back, usually within 4-5 days. The lawyer will spend up to 4 hours to answer your questions, give you advice, and review documents and forms.
The Centre also offers what’s called limited scope retainer or unbundled services. This means you pay a lawyer to help you with part of your case.
Canadian Council of Muslim Women
The Canadian Council of Muslim Women provides Muslim women in Canada with culturally appropriate referrals to legal information and advice in family law, as well as with other issues like housing, mental health, and food bank services. It includes referrals to lawyers, as well as imams and social services organizations such as shelters. You have to email this intake form, and the service will try to respond within 24 hours.
Website
ccmw.com