Introduction

When you separate or divorce, you must arrange for the care of the children. A lawyer or mediator can help you work out parenting arrangements, including who will be responsible for making important decisions about the children and where they will live.

What you should know about Family Law in Ontario

Contains information on the legal aspects of separation and divorce including caring for and financially supporting your children

Dealing With Separation and Divorce: Custody and Access

The main provincial site on child custody and access

Because Life Goes On ... Helping Children and Youth Live With Separation and Divorce

Federal site for parents in need of information and resources to help guide their children through separation and divorce, as well as for professionals in such fields as social services, health, justice, and education

Where do I stand? A child's guide to separation and divorce

Written for children whose parents separate or divorce. You may have questions about separation and divorce. This 28-page booklet can answer some of those questions

What happens next? Information for kids about separation and divorce

Federal government booklet that helps children learn about family law, and can also help them realize it's normal for them to have an emotional response to their parents' separation. Written for children between the ages of nine and twelve

The Office of the Children's Lawyer

In Ontario, the Office of the Children's Lawyer acts on behalf of children with respect to their personal and property rights, and may represent children in custody, access, and child protection disputes.

About custody/access clinical reports

Clinical investigators in the Office of the Children's Lawyer can be appointed to conduct investigations and prepare reports that focus on the interests of your child/ren, provide a picture of your family's history, current situation, and parenting plans for the future. They may also provide recommendations to help you make decisions about ongoing parenting plans

Requesting the involvement of the Office of the Children's Lawyer

Describes the steps involved in requesting the involvement of the Children's Lawyer in Custody and Access cases

Intake criteria for custody/access

Discusses when the Office of the Children's Lawyer should or should not be involved.

Intake form

If a Judge has made a Court Order requesting that the Office of the Children's Lawyer provide services on behalf of the child(ren), this form must be completed by both parties and received by the Office of the Children's Lawyer within 10 days of the order having been signed

Related Topics

Parent information sessions

Parents involved in a separation, or contemplating separation, may attend these meetings. The sessions cover topics such as: children's needs, the impact of separation on children, parenting responsibilities and strategies, the impact of violence on children, community resources

Caring for children

Looking after children during or after a separation can be difficult. Here are some links to some information that may help

Supervised access to children

Where there are concerns for the safety of the children and/or a parent, a court can require that visits with children be supervised. The parents can also come to agree to supervised visits without a court order