1. Figure out the size of your family 

When deciding if you qualify for a legal aid certificate, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) looks at the number of people in your family.

Then based on the size of your family, they look at:

• how much you all earn in total,
• and the value of all your assets.

LAO counts the following people to be part of your family:

• your married or common-law partner
• your children
• your partner's children

Your partner

LAO says a common-law partner is a person you:

• have been living with for at least 3 years, or
• live with and have a biological or adopted child with.

Your children

LAO says a child can be a biological or adopted child. And they must be:

• 17 years old or younger, or
• 25 years old or younger, in school full time, and
  • live with you at least half of the time,
  • or be financially supported by you to live outside the home.

This means you do not include the following children as part of your family:

• a foster child
• a child 16 years or older who left the home and is living independently with no financial help from you
• an adult child who gets income assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program

Other adults

If you and your partner have separated but are still living together, LAO may not count them as a family member. It depends on your situation. You will need to call LAO and ask.

If you share your home with your parents, grandparents, or any other adults, LAO does not count them as family members.