# Free and Low-Cost Family Law Help in Ontario: Where to Start if You Can't Afford a Lawyer Hiring a family lawyer can cost thousands of dollars. For many people going through separation or divorce, that's simply not realistic. But not being able to afford a lawyer doesn't mean you have to navigate the legal system completely alone. Ontario has a network of free and low-cost resources designed to help people with family law issues. Some provide information and guidance. Others offer actual legal advice or even representation. Knowing what's available and how to access it can make an enormous difference. This guide explains every major free and low-cost family law resource in Ontario, what each one can do for you, and how to access them. ## Legal Aid Ontario: Certificates and Services **Legal Aid Ontario (LAO)** is the province's publicly funded legal aid system. It provides legal help to people who can't afford a lawyer and who meet certain financial and case-type criteria. ### What Legal Aid Can Provide If you qualify, Legal Aid Ontario may provide a **legal aid certificate**, which lets you hire a private lawyer who accepts legal aid clients. The lawyer is paid by Legal Aid, not by you. Certificates are available for serious family law matters, particularly those involving children, safety, or complex legal issues. Legal Aid also funds other services described below, including duty counsel and community legal clinics. ### Who Qualifies for Legal Aid Eligibility depends on your **income**, **assets**, **family size**, and the **type of legal issue** you're facing. LAO publishes a table of current income and asset cutoffs on their website at legalaid.on.ca. The thresholds change periodically, so always check directly for the most current numbers. Even if your income is slightly above the cutoff, you may qualify for **partial coverage** where you contribute a portion and Legal Aid covers the rest. Legal Aid prioritizes cases involving child protection (CAS matters), domestic violence and safety concerns, decision-making responsibility and parenting time disputes (often still called custody and access) where children's wellbeing is at risk, and serious family law matters where you're at a significant disadvantage without a lawyer. Simple uncontested divorces with no children and no property disputes are generally **not** covered by Legal Aid certificates. For those, you may need to use other resources or handle things yourself. ### How to Apply You can apply for Legal Aid online at legalaid.on.ca, by phone at 1-800-668-8258, or in person at a Legal Aid Ontario office. You'll need to provide information about your income, assets, household size, and the legal issue you're facing. Bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of income. If you're approved, you'll receive a certificate and can choose a lawyer from Legal Aid's panel of family law lawyers who accept certificates. ## Duty Counsel: Free Legal Help at the Courthouse [Duty counsel](/glossary#letter-d) are lawyers funded by Legal Aid Ontario who provide free legal assistance at courthouses. They help people who are appearing in court without a lawyer. ### What Duty Counsel Can Do Duty counsel can explain court procedures and what to expect at your hearing, review your court documents and help you understand them, give you brief legal advice about your situation, help you speak to the judge if you have a simple matter, help negotiate temporary agreements with the other party, explain your options and next steps, and sometimes help you fill out urgent court forms. Duty counsel are especially helpful when you have a court date coming up and don't know what to do, you've received documents from the other side and need help understanding them, you want to try negotiating a temporary arrangement, or you need quick advice before making a decision in court. ### What Duty Counsel Cannot Do Duty counsel have significant limitations. They cannot represent you at a full hearing or trial. They cannot prepare your case or do extensive work outside the courthouse. They cannot be your ongoing lawyer throughout your case. And they cannot take on complex matters that require research or preparation. Think of duty counsel as emergency legal help for your court appearance, not as a replacement for having your own lawyer on a complex case. ### How to Access Duty Counsel Duty counsel are available at most Ontario courthouses, including both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice (Family Court). Duty counsel is usually available if you meet LAO's duty counsel eligibility requirements, which include income and asset limits. Sign-up procedures vary by courthouse. Simply arrive at the courthouse early on your court date and ask where to find duty counsel. There's usually a sign-up sheet, and you'll be seen in order. Duty counsel prioritize people with matters scheduled that day, so if you just want general advice without a court date, you may have a long wait or may be directed to other resources. Some courthouses also have **Family Law Information Centres (FLICs)** in the same area, which can help you figure out whether duty counsel is the right resource for your needs. ## Family Law Information Centres (FLICs) **Family Law Information Centres**, known as FLICs, are free information services located in many Ontario courthouses. They're designed to help people understand the family court system and connect with appropriate resources. ### What FLICs Provide FLICs offer general information about family law and court procedures, written materials like brochures, guides, and court forms, referrals to other services such as mediation, counseling, or legal aid, help understanding which forms you need for your situation, and information about the Mandatory Information Program. FLICs are staffed by **Information and Referral Coordinators** who can answer questions and point you in the right direction. They are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice. However, if you qualify, an **LAO advice lawyer** may also be available at the courthouse to provide up to 20 minutes of general legal advice. ### Who FLICs Are For FLICs are for anyone involved in or considering a family court matter, regardless of income. You don't need to qualify financially for information and referral services. If you're confused about how family court works or where to start, FLIC is a good first stop. ### Where to Find a FLIC FLICs are located at many courthouses across Ontario, including Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, and other major centres. You can find a list of locations on the Ontario government website or by calling the courthouse in your area. You can usually walk in during business hours without an appointment, though wait times vary. ## Community Legal Clinics Ontario has a network of **community legal clinics** funded by Legal Aid Ontario. These clinics provide free legal services to low-income people in their communities. ### What Community Legal Clinics Offer Services vary by clinic, but many offer legal information and summary advice on family law matters, help with certain family law issues (particularly those involving domestic violence or poverty-related issues), assistance with other legal matters like housing, employment, and government benefits, workshops and public legal education, and referrals to other services. Some clinics have staff lawyers who can provide ongoing help with your case. Others focus more on information and referrals. ### Family Law Focus Not all community legal clinics handle family law matters. Some focus exclusively on other areas like housing or immigration. Before visiting, call ahead or check the clinic's website to confirm they can help with family law. Clinics that do handle family law often prioritize cases involving domestic violence or safety, situations where there's a significant power imbalance, and people facing multiple legal issues connected to poverty. ### How to Find a Clinic Legal Aid Ontario maintains a directory of community legal clinics at legalaid.on.ca. You can search by location to find clinics near you. You can also call Legal Aid Ontario's toll-free number (1-800-668-8258) and ask for a referral to a clinic that handles family law in your area. ## Pro Bono and Reduced-Fee Legal Services Beyond Legal Aid and clinics, there are other ways to access free or reduced-cost legal help. ### Pro Bono Ontario **Pro Bono Ontario** connects people who can't afford a lawyer with volunteer lawyers who provide free legal help. However, Pro Bono Ontario's Free Legal Advice Hotline assists with **civil matters** such as housing disputes, debt issues, and employment problems. It does **not** assist with family law matters. If you have related civil issues alongside your family law case, Pro Bono Ontario may be helpful for those specific issues, but you'll need to use other resources for the family law aspects. ### Law Society Referral Service The **Law Society of Ontario** operates a free referral service that connects you with a lawyer for a **free consultation of up to 30 minutes**. You can use this to get initial advice about your situation, understand whether you need a lawyer, get a sense of what your case might involve, and ask questions before deciding how to proceed. To use the service, visit the Law Society's website at lso.ca. The service is primarily online. For urgent situations, you can call 1-855-947-5255 (or 416-947-5255 in the GTA). This isn't ongoing free representation, but a free half-hour with a lawyer can be valuable, especially early in your case when you're trying to understand your options. ### Law School Legal Clinics Several Ontario law schools operate legal clinics where law students, supervised by lawyers, provide free legal services. These include clinics at the University of Toronto, Osgoode Hall (York University), University of Ottawa, Queen's University, and others. Services vary by clinic. Some handle family law matters while others focus on different areas. Contact the clinic directly to ask about family law services. ### Unbundled Legal Services If you don't qualify for free help but can't afford full representation, consider [unbundled or limited-scope legal services](/blog/unbundled-limited-scope-family-lawyers-ontario). With unbundled services, you hire a lawyer for specific tasks rather than your entire case. For example, you might pay a lawyer to review your separation agreement, coach you on how to present your case in court, draft one specific document, or provide a few hours of advice. This lets you get professional help where you need it most while handling other parts yourself. Many family lawyers offer unbundled services at hourly rates. For more on this option, see our comparison of [Legal Aid vs private lawyer vs unbundled services](/blog/legal-aid-vs-private-lawyer-vs-unbundled-ontario). ## The Mandatory Information Program (MIP) If you're starting a family court case in Ontario, you may be required to attend the **Mandatory Information Program (MIP)**. This is a free information session that explains how separation affects families, the family court process and options available to you, alternatives to court like mediation and collaborative law, and resources available to help you. MIP sessions are offered online and in-person at various locations. Even if it's not required in your situation, attending can be helpful for understanding your options. ## Online Resources and Self-Help Tools If you're handling your case yourself as a [self-represented litigant](/glossary#letter-s), several online resources can help. ### Steps to Justice (CLEO) **Steps to Justice** (stepstojustice.ca) is a free legal information website run by Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO). It provides plain-language information about family law in Ontario, step-by-step guides for common family law issues, and **Guided Pathways** that walk you through specific processes and help fill out court forms. The Guided Pathways are particularly useful. You answer questions about your situation, and the tool helps you identify which forms you need and pre-fills information for you. ### Ontario Court Forms The official Ontario Court Forms website (ontariocourtforms.on.ca) has all the forms you need for family court, along with guides explaining how to complete them. ### CanLII **CanLII** (canlii.org) is a free database of Canadian court decisions and legislation. If you want to research how courts have decided similar cases, this is where to look. It's more advanced and best used once you understand the basics. ### Our Other Guides We've created several guides specifically for people navigating separation without a lawyer, including [how to file for divorce in Ontario without a lawyer](/blog/how-to-file-for-divorce-in-ontario-without-a-lawyer), [how much a simple divorce costs in Ontario](/blog/how-much-does-a-simple-divorce-cost-in-ontario), [what divorce papers and forms you need](/blog/divorce-papers-ontario-forms-you-need), and [how to separate when you have no money](/blog/how-to-separate-when-you-have-no-money-in-ontario). ## Specialized Help for Domestic Violence Situations If you're leaving an abusive relationship, additional resources are available. **Legal Aid Ontario prioritizes domestic violence cases.** If you're experiencing abuse, you're more likely to qualify for a legal aid certificate, even if your income is slightly above the usual threshold. **Luke's Place** is an organization that provides legal support and information specifically for women leaving abuse. They have a Family Court Support Worker Program in several Ontario locations. **Family Court Support Worker Program** provides support at family courthouses for people who have experienced domestic violence. These workers can help you understand the family court process, accompany you to court, help with safety planning, and connect you with other resources. **Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP)** supports victims and witnesses in the **criminal court** process. If there are related criminal charges against your partner, VWAP can help you navigate that system. Note that VWAP is specifically for criminal proceedings, not family court. **Shelters and crisis lines** can also connect you with legal resources and help with safety planning. For more on navigating separation when there's been abuse, see our guide on [how to safely start a separation in an abusive relationship](/blog/how-to-safely-start-separation-abusive-relationship-canada). ## Choosing the Right Resource for Your Situation With so many options, it can be confusing to know where to start. Here's a quick guide based on your situation. **If you have a court date coming up soon:** Go to the courthouse early and sign up for duty counsel (if you meet eligibility requirements). They can help you prepare for that day's appearance. **If you're trying to understand your rights and options:** Start with a FLIC at your local courthouse, or use the Steps to Justice website. Consider using the Law Society Referral Service for a free 30-minute consultation with a lawyer. **If you have a complex case and very low income:** Apply for Legal Aid Ontario. If you qualify, you can get a certificate to hire a lawyer. **If you don't qualify for Legal Aid but can't afford full representation:** Look into unbundled legal services, or see if a community legal clinic can help with specific aspects of your case. **If there's domestic violence involved:** Contact Legal Aid Ontario immediately and mention the domestic violence. Also reach out to Luke's Place or a local shelter for additional support, and ask about the Family Court Support Worker Program at your courthouse. **If you're handling a simple uncontested divorce yourself:** Use CLEO's Guided Pathways and our guides on [filing for divorce without a lawyer](/blog/how-to-file-for-divorce-in-ontario-without-a-lawyer). ## What These Resources Cannot Do It's important to have realistic expectations. Free resources have limits. Duty counsel can't represent you at trial or prepare your whole case. Legal Aid certificates aren't available for everyone or every type of case. FLICs provide information, not legal advice (though LAO advice lawyers may be available for brief advice if you qualify). Community legal clinics may have long wait times and limited capacity for family law. None of these resources can make a difficult case easy or guarantee a good outcome. Free help can make a significant difference, but if your case is complex, contested, or involves significant assets, you may still need to find a way to access more comprehensive legal help. That might mean saving for a lawyer, using unbundled services strategically, or making difficult decisions about priorities. For more on understanding when you need a lawyer, see our guide on [what a family lawyer actually does](/blog/what-does-a-family-lawyer-do). ## Key Takeaways Ontario has substantial free and low-cost family law resources, including Legal Aid Ontario, duty counsel, FLICs, community legal clinics, and the Law Society Referral Service. **Legal Aid Ontario** provides certificates for private lawyers to people who meet financial and case-type criteria. Check LAO's website for current income and asset thresholds. They prioritize child protection, domestic violence, and cases where children's wellbeing is at risk. **Duty counsel** are free lawyers at courthouses who can help with your court appearance that day, but they can't be your ongoing lawyer or represent you at trial. You must meet LAO's duty counsel eligibility requirements. **FLICs** provide free information about family law and court procedures, plus referrals to other services. If you qualify, an LAO advice lawyer may also be available at the courthouse for up to 20 minutes of brief legal advice. **Community legal clinics** offer free legal help to low-income people, though not all clinics handle family law matters. The **Law Society Referral Service** provides a free consultation of up to 30 minutes with a lawyer, which can be valuable for understanding your options early on. Access it online at lso.ca. **Pro Bono Ontario** helps with civil matters like housing and debt but does not assist with family law. If you can't access free services, **unbundled legal services** let you hire a lawyer for specific tasks rather than your whole case, reducing costs. If there's domestic violence, mention it when applying for Legal Aid, as these cases are prioritized. Also ask about the Family Court Support Worker Program at your courthouse. Start with the resource that matches your most immediate need, whether that's information (FLIC), urgent court help (duty counsel), or ongoing representation (Legal Aid certificate). ### Disclaimer This article provides general information about free and low-cost family law resources in Ontario. It is not legal advice. Eligibility criteria and available services can change. For current information, contact the organizations directly. For advice about your specific situation, speak to a family law lawyer.