Free & Affordable Family Law Services
Legal Aid Ontario (1-800-668-8258)
– Summary advice on parenting and child support- no income eligibility criteria
– 2 hour certificate for DV survivors- no income eligibility criteria
– Duty Counsel Virtual Line: 416-646-1278: for clients in court including mediation. No income eligibility criteria. Call at least 48 hours before your scheduled court appearance/mediation date.
– Document drafting and legal aid certificates– if eligibility criteria are met
For more information: https://www.legalaid.on.ca/services/family-legal-issues/
Family Justice Centre (Pro Bono Students Canada)
– hosts virtual legal clinics for those who cannot afford a lawyer but earn too much to qualify for most Legal Aid services
– law students who are supervised by volunteer lawyers provide summary advice and document drafting
For more information: https://www.probonostudents.ca/family-justice-centre
Unbundled Legal Advice Services: Family Law Limited Scope Services Project
– over 200 family lawyers providing limited scope services, generally flat rate and affordable fees
– services available in 25 languages
For more information: https://www.familylawlss.ca
Advice & Settlement Counsel
– experienced family lawyers ‘on call’ to provide full-scope legal services, in and out of court
– hourly rate capped at $200/hour
– great website lists which lawyer is available
For more information: https://ascfamily.com
Law Society Emergency Family Law Referral Line (1-800-268-7568)
– provides a free 30-minute consultation with a family lawyer to help determine whether a matter is “urgent” for the purpose of emergency court hearings, among other things
– connects caller with other helpful services and resources
For more information: https://www.torontocentralhealthline.ca/displayService.aspx?id=195718
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
– extensive legal information about separation and divorce
– Steps to Justice portal provides Guided Pathways to Family Court
– excellent resource for all separating couples on all family law issues
– videos, infographics, charts and links
For more information: https://www.cleo.on.ca/en
Ontario Legal Information Centre Phone Line (1-844-343-7462)
– provides a free 30 minute consultation with a lawyer in English or French
– calls are returned within 14 days… not for emergencies.
– no income eligibility criteria
For more information: https://legalinfocentre.ca
AJEFO
– provides a directory for finding French-speaking lawyers
– provides a free 30 minutes consultation with a lawyer 1-844-343-7462
– has a partner site for free legal information and guidance at cliquezjustice.ca
-provides you with training material aimed at informing, and educating the public on the basics of family law.
– also provides resources regarding family violence, self representated litigants and elder abuse
For more information: https://www.ajefo.ca
Law Society Lawyer Referral Service
– an online service (no telephone number)
– provides a free 30 minute consultation with a family lawyer on the topic in issue
For more information: https://lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal/law-society-referral-service#how-do-i-access-the-law-society-referral-service–5
Family Law Handbook for Self-Represented Litigants
A starting point to assist litigants who are navigating the family law courts without legal advice. General information only that is very useful.
For more information: https://cjc-ccm.ca/sites/default/files/documents/2021/Family%20Handbook%20-%20ENGLISH%20MASTER%20FINAL%202021-03-30.pdf
Justice Canada Explainer of the Divorce Act Amendments
Click here: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/cfl-mdf/dace-clde/index.html
Corollary Relief Matrimonial Home Page
A reasonably comprehensive listing of court decisions on various topics.
Click here: https://www.protopage.com/corollaryrelief
National Self Represented Litigants Project
NSRLP is offering a free 12-week online program (generously funded by a grant from the Department of Justice) that will give Canadian self-represented litigants with family law matters (divorce, custody, etc.) the tools to help them navigate the justice system on their own.
Running weekly on Wednesdays, January 19 to April 6, 2022 (12pm to 1:30pm EST)
Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/school-for-family-litigants-tickets-219904469187
Visit the website: https://representingyourselfcanada.com/
