1. Get free legal information

LAO gives people of all income levels general information and referrals over the telephone. You can also get up to 20 minutes of free general legal advice by calling 1-800-668-8258 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Family Law Information Centres

There are Family Law Information Centres (FLICs) in every Ontario courthouse that deals with family law. All of the centres have free pamphlets on topics such as separation and divorce, court procedures, and family mediation. Many FLICs also have staff who can give general information and make referrals.

Information and Referral Coordinators (IRCs) can:

help you understand your needs and the court process
refer you to other services like counseling, help for abused women and men, addiction support, child and family support, and interpreters
tell you about ways to resolve your issues without going to court, such as mediation

At some courts, IRCs may only be available at certain times. Contact your local FLIC to find out more.

Family Law Information Program

The Family Law Information program is a free online resource that provides legal and practical information on topics such as custody, access, shared parenting, and support.

Other services

There are other places where you can get free information. These include:

The Ontario Legal Information Centre phone line

The Association of French-Speaking Jurists of Ontario (AJEFO) has a resource called the Ontario Legal Information Centre that gives you 30 minutes with a lawyer over the telephone or in person. Call 1-844-343-7462 to speak with a lawyer about any area of law in English or French. You may have to leave a message, and a lawyer will call you back within 14 days.