Need help with Family Court?
Our care is shaped around you. You don’t have to navigate the family court process alone. Our dedicated Family Court Advocates provide practical support, system navigation and information to help you understand your next steps.
* We provide support and information, not legal advice.
How can our Family Court Advocates support you?
We understand that family court can affect every part of your life. Our integrated, trauma-informed approach brings together compassionate care, guidance and safety planning as you navigate the legal system so you can move forward with greater understanding and confidence.
Get help understanding court procedures, organizing documents and completing forms.
Preparing for Court
Accompanying you to Court
When appropriate, we will be by your side during court proceedings.
Help you document a history of abuse for court purposes
Support you in understanding and responding to requests from your lawyer
Assist with commissioning affidavits for court proceedings and other legal needs
** Please note that our commissioning services do not include notarization or certification of identity documents.
More ways we can support you
General family-law information
Learn about family-law issues and the court process (not legal advice).
Legal Clinic, referrals and community support
Connect with volunteer lawyers and specialized and community services.
Talk through court outcomes, legal appointments and Family Law Information Centre meetings
Connect you with other family court, criminal court, and community services
Help you commission oaths and ensure your declarations and affidavits meet Ontario court requirements
Exploring your legal options
Understand available pathways, including alternative dispute resolution.
Safety Planning
Receive support with separation-related and court-related safety planning.
Have you experienced abuse and need legal advice?
Whatever your experience has been, you deserve to feel heard and be informed about your legal options. A Domestic Violence Certificate, also called a DV Certificate, can connect you with a lawyer for a private, two-hour appointment at no cost to you.
Each DV certificate provides you a 2-hour appointment with a lawyer and you may receive up to 10 free hours of legal advice per calendar year.
You may be able to access this support if you have experienced abuse in any form, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial abuse.
Upcoming Drop-In Days
Our Family Court Advocacy Program aims to provide system navigation support and public legal education to women.
We are funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario.
Laptop Lending Library
Need access to a laptop?
We believe technology should never be a barrier to getting the support you need. Come visit the Centre, borrow a laptop while you are here and use it for court forms, virtual appointments, attending workshops, applications and any other important tasks.
**** Please note: Laptops are available for use at our Centre only. They cannot be taken outside the office and must be returned after use.
Digital Literacy Workshops
We have offered free Digital Literacy Workshops for community organizations and their participants, made possible through funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Organizations chose between workshops targeting Youth, Seniors, Mothers and Female Entrepreneurs. Our workshops were designed to help participants build confidence using technology, stay safer online, access online services and use digital tools.
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Our digital literacy workshops were free for community organizations and participants. We also provided up to 5 laptops for participants who did not have their own for the duration of the workshops.
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Want to see more of these? Please let us know at hello@ourcentre.ca