If you cannot afford a lawyer
Legal Aid Ontario
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) offers free legal help for some legal issues if your income and assets are low enough. These services include:
- Legal aid certificates
LAO pays a lawyer to work on your legal problem for a certain number of hours. You can apply online or by phone. Visit legalaid.on.ca/services/how-do-i-apply-for-legal-aid or call 1-800-668-8258.You can use LAO’s online tool to find a lawyer who accepts LAO certificates. Visit legalaid.on.ca/lawyers.
- Lawyers at family courts
Talk to duty counsel for help on the day of your court hearing. They may be able to give legal advice, explain the court process, or help you work out a settlement. They cannot represent you at trial.Talk to advice counsel for general information. They may be able to give you legal advice if your income is low enough.
- Family Law Service Centres
These centres have staff lawyers and legal workers who can help prepare court documents, refer you to other services, and help you apply for a legal aid certificate. - Family Law Offices
There are 3 offices located in Kenora, Ottawa, and Thunder Bay with lawyers and paralegals who help with family court cases and accept legal aid certificates. - Law school clinics
Each law school in Ontario has a legal aid clinic staffed by law students who are supervised by lawyers. These clinics are located in Kingston, London, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Toronto, and Windsor.
For more information about these services, visit legalaid.on.ca or call 1-800-668-8258. For TTY, call 711.
Pro Bono Students Canada – Family Justice Centre
The Family Justice Centre is staffed by law students who are supervised by lawyers. People with low incomes who do not have a lawyer can get general legal advice and help with court forms. Visit probonostudents.ca/family-justice-centre or call 647-952-3354.
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