Free legal information and help
Legal information can help you understand your rights and responsibilities in family law.
Community Legal Education Ontario
CLEO’s Steps to Justice website has step-by-step information about family law issues. It also has free tools like checklists, videos, and courtroom drawings, and links to legal and social services where you can get help. Visit stepstojustice.ca/family-law.
The website also has Steps in a Family Law Case. This is a series of 3 interactive flowcharts that help you understand and work through the family law court process. Visit familycourt.cleo.on.ca.
CLEO’s Family Law Guided Pathways are free online interviews that help you fill out family court forms. Visit guided-pathways.ca/family.
Family Law Information Centres
There are Family Law Information Centres (FLICs) in every Ontario family court. All FLICs have free publications on family law. Many also have staff, called Information and Referral Coordinators, who can give general information and refer you to other services.
To find a FLIC in your area, find your local court at ontario.ca/page/family-law-information-centres.
Legal Aid Ontario
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) has a phone line that you can call to get up to 20 minutes of free general legal advice and information in different languages. Call 1-800-668-8258. LAO also offers online chat at legalaid.on.ca.
Ontario Legal Information Centre
The Ontario Legal Information Centre offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer online or by phone in English or French. Book a meeting online at legalinfocentre.ca or call 1-844-343-7462.
Law Society Referral Service
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) has a service that connects you to a lawyer you can speak with for up to 30 minutes for free. You can ask for a lawyer in your area and who speaks your language. Visit findlegalhelp.ca or call their crisis line at 416-947-5255 or 1-855-947-5255, if you cannot use their online service.
Government of Ontario website
The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General has guides and information on many family law issues. Visit ontario.ca/document/guide-procedures-family-court.
Ontario court websites
Ontario’s family courts have information about their court process.
Go to the Ontario Court of Justice website at ontariocourts.ca/ocj and search for Representing Yourself at Your Family Law Trial – A Guide.
Go to the Superior Court of Justice website at ontariocourts.ca/scj and search for A Guide to Process for Cases at the Superior Court of Justice.
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