This guide is not legal advice.  If you have questions or need advice about your case, you should speak to a lawyer.

If you do not have a lawyer, you may contact the Lawyer Referral Service operated by the Law Society of Upper Canada.  The Lawyer Referral Service will provide the name of a lawyer in your area who practices family law.  This lawyer will provide a half-hour consultation for free.  There is usually a $6 charge to use this service but if you are experiencing violence, you should call (416) 947-3330 in the Toronto calling area, or toll-free (800) 268-8326 from elsewhere in Ontario, and the charge will be waived. You must identify yourself as a victim of domestic violence otherwise a charge of $6 may be added to your phone bill.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may be able to get legal aid.  You can contact the nearest Legal Aid Ontario office to see if you are eligible.  The telephone number of the Legal Aid office in your area is listed in your telephone directory.  If you cannot find the phone number, Legal Aid Ontario’s toll-free line is 1-800-668-8258.  To learn more about Legal Aid Ontario, you may wish to visit their website at  www.legalaid.on.ca.