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Programs and services across Ontario - Property and debts ‑ married couples
Programs and services across Ontario - Property and debts ‑ married couples
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) - Family summary advice
Contact Information
LAO has a free summary advice line that lets you talk to a lawyer for up to 20 minutes to get information and general advice about your family law matter.
This includes information about:
- your legal options and what might happen
- separation, divorce, custody, access, child support, or spousal support
- the family court process and mediation
You usually have to call and give some information about your legal issue and where you live, and a lawyer will call you back.
Law Society Referral Service
Website
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
Website
Contact Information
The centre offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer to anyone in Ontario by telephone or in person at their Ottawa office in any area of law in English or French. You may have to leave a message, and a lawyer will call you back.
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) - Family duty counsel
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Family duty counsel give free legal advice to people who don’t have a lawyer on the day of their hearing and who have a low income. Family duty counsel are paid for by LAO and are at every family law court.
They can't represent you at a trial, but they can:
- give legal advice and information about the court process
- help work out an agreement
- review and help prepare court documents
- help in the courtroom for certain things like asking for your case to be postponed, and at child protection hearings and hearings related to child and spousal support
- help in hearings before a trial for issues like custody, access, child protection, or support, when the issues are not complicated
- make referrals to other sources of help, such as mediation or finding your own lawyer
Family 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.
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) - Family law service centres (FLSCs)
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There are centres in some family law courts that help people who have a low income. The legal professionals at the centres give information, and help with custody, access, child support, and domestic violence. They can’t represent you in court, but they can help with court documents, support orders, and procedural motions.
Check the list of centres to see where they are and when they are open.
Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General - Family Mediation
Contact Information
Family mediation services are available at family court locations in Ontario. You can get up to 8 hours of mediation for a fee based on your income. If you're already in court, you can get up to 2 hours of mediation at the court free of charge.
Mediation is a voluntary process that all parties must agree to use, to try and resolve their issues without going to court. The types of issues you can discuss at mediation include:
- how and when to separate
- custody and access
- child support
- spousal or partner support
- dividing property
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) - Family Law Mediation Services
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LAO may pay for up to 6 hours with a family law mediator for parents who have a low income. Mediators help families sort out custody, access, parenting plans, travel plans, communication between parents, and child support. Mediation is a voluntary process that all parties must agree to use, to try and resolve their issues without going to court.
If your income isn’t low enough to use this service, LAO can connect you to other mediators where the fee you pay is based on your income.
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) - Separation agreement certificates
Contact Information
LAO may pay for up to 10 hours with a family lawyer to help with a separation agreement if you have a low income.
Law Society of Ontario - Lawyer and Paralegal Directory
The directory lists all lawyers and paralegals licensed to give legal services in Ontario. You can search by name, address or postal code, language, and area of law. You can also search for services offered in French and for unbundled services.
JusticeNet
Website
Contact Information
JusticeNet helps people find a legal professional if their income is too high to get legal aid but too low to afford legal fees. If your net family income is less than $59,000, they refer you to an online directory of lawyers, paralegals, and mediators who provide help at reduced rates.
JusticeNet is a non-profit organization. You must register and pay a $25 fee to use their website. They may return the fee if you don’t find a professional to work with.