Family Court Support Program

Navigating the Family Court System can be confusing and overwhelming. For women and non-binary people who have experienced abuse in their relationship, this process is even more difficult.
 
The Family Court Support Program empowers women through information, support and appropriate referrals.

This program is for woman-identified individuals who:

• Have experienced any form of abuse, control, or violence in their relationship
• Are ready to begin, or are already involved with, family law proceedings
• Are looking for information and support as they navigate the Family Court system

Family law issues include:

• Child Custody and Access
• Child and Spousal Support
• Equalization and Division of Property
• Exclusive Possession of the Matrimonial Home
• Restraining Orders
• Divorce

​All services are free and confidential, including free language interpretation.
​
​Please Note: This program does not offer legal advice or replace advice from a lawyer.  ​

The Family Court Support Program offers emotional & practical support along your journey, including…

• Support in navigating the family court system
• Information about family court and family law issues
• Help exploring your family law options and determining next steps
• Assistance with:
  • Accessing legal services (legal aid, finding a lawyer)
  • Working with lawyers
  • Recording your history of abuse
  • Completing paperwork
• Safety planning, especially related to court appearances
• Accompaniments to family court and/or legal appointments
• Debriefing of court dates and/or legal appointments
• Advocacy and referrals to other services and supports

REGISTER

To register for our Family Court Support Program, please fill out our Online Intake form. ​You can also call our office at 519-571-0121 x 108 or email dianne@sascwr.org OR noura@sascwr.org. The Family Court Support Worker will do their best to respond to your inquiry and get back to you within 3 business days.

Intake Form

To see what groups and workshops are currently offered through this program, click the button to the right.

Groups and Workshops

Family Law Resources

NOTE: While the information below can be helpful, it is in no way a replacement for legal advice and legal representation. We strongly encourage you to seek legal advice from a family law lawyer before making any final decisions about how to proceed with your case

​Legal Services (Click to expand)

FLIC (Family Law Information Centre):
Waterloo Region Courthouse – 85 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 2nd Floor

Advice Lawyer
Meet with an Advice Lawyer for free through Legal Aid Ontario (approx. 20 minutes). First-come, first-served. Sign up for appointment upon arrival.
Open: Mon, Wed, and Fri  9 am – 4:30pm (last appt at 4pm).
Doors open and sign up begins at 8:30 am. It is best to arrive early. 
Please Note: Must meet financial eligibility criteria https://www.legalaid.on.ca/services/family-legal-issues/
 
Information & Referral Coordinators (IRC)
Meet with an IRC for free (no eligibility criteria) for information about family court, helpful community resources and referrals, and information/assistance with family mediation services.
Open: Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5pm

Legal Aid Ontario
Legal Aid Ontario provides legal help in English and French for financially eligible low‑income Ontarians in: Family Law, Criminal Law, Refugee & Immigration Law, Mental Health Law and Clinic Law.
Call 1-800-668-8258 Toll Free – Phone Interpretation Available
legalaid.on.ca
 
Law Society Referral Service
Online referral service that will provide you with the name of a lawyer or licensed paralegal who will provide a free consultation of up to 30 minutes to help you determine your rights and options.
https://lsrs.lso.ca/lsrs/welcome
 
Law Society of Ontario
The Law Society regulates, licenses and disciplines Ontario’s lawyers and paralegals. Tools/information include: Lawyer/Paralegal Online Directory, How to make a complaint about your lawyer/paralegal, Legal News and Resources.
https://lso.ca/home
 
AXIS Family Mediation Inc.
AXIS provides court-connected on-site mediation services and comprehensive off-site mediation services.
http://axisfamilymediation.com/

Court Information (Click to expand)

Ontario Court Forms
Provides fillable electronic versions of Ontario Court Documents.
General: ontariocourtforms.on.ca
Family Court Forms: http://ontariocourtforms.on.ca/en/family-law-rules-forms/

Superior Court of Justice
Information on the Superior Court of Justice – processes and procedures, information on going to court, court locations and schedules, court updates.
https://www.ontariocourts.ca/scj/
 
Daily Court Lists
All Ontario Court Dates/Courtrooms posted at 4:30pm the day before (excluding confidential CAS matters).
http://www.ontariocourtdates.ca/
 
Family Law Rules
The regulations that set out the procedures to be followed in all family courts in Ontario.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/99011

Family Law / Legal Information (Click to expand)

Ministry of the Attorney General
Information and guides on Family and Criminal Law and processes in Ontario.
attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca

A Guide to Family Law in Ontario By Community Legal Education Ontario
Basic information about family law in Ontario, where to get more information, and how to get legal help.
cleo.on.ca/sites/default/files/book_pdfs/introfam.pdf
 
A Guide to Procedures in Family Court
This guide provides steps to follow when going to court, including which forms must be completed, procedures when attending court and how to take steps in court cases.
https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/guides/fc/
 
Steps to Justice: Your Guide to Law in Ontario
Steps to Justice gives reliable and practical information on common legal problems including: step-by-step information to help you work through your legal problems,
practical tools, such as checklists, fillable forms, and self-help guides,
referral information for legal and social services across Ontario, and live chat and email support if you can’t find the answers to your questions.
https://stepstojustice.ca/
 
Family Court and Beyond
Resource for women in or thinking about leaving an abusive relationship, or if you have already left one and you want to know more about family law and court.
https://familycourtandbeyond.ca/

Steps in a Family Law Case
Provides 3 interactive flow charts: Before you start flowchart, Applicant flowchart, and Respondent flowchart. These flowcharts have basic information about the steps in a typical family law case in Ontario. Click on any box on the flowcharts to learn about what happens at that step in the process and what you may need to do.
https://familycourt.cleo.on.ca/en/about-flowcharts
 
Family Law Guided Pathways
CLEO’s Family Law Guided Pathways are a series of online interviews that help you fill out the court forms you need for your family law matter. The pathways ask you questions and then put your answers into the required forms. Includes guided pathways to complete the following court documents:

• Family Court Application regarding children, support, and/or property issues (Forms 8 and/or forms 35.1 and 13/13.1),
• Simple or Joint Divorce (Form 8A),
• Filing a Support Agreement for Enforcement (Form 26B),
• Answering a family law Application (Form 10),
• Replying to an Answer (Form 10A),
• Case Conference Brief (Form 17A),
• Settlement Conference Brief (Form 17C),
• Making or responding to a Motion (Form 14, Form 14A, Form 14B)

https://stepstojustice.ca/family-law-guided-pathways/about

Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
CLEO produces clear, accurate and practical legal information to help people understand and exercise their legal rights (all areas of law).
cleo.on.ca
 
Luke’s Place
Family law support and guidance on how to stay safer for abused women and their children. Provides information about important legal updates and news.
https://lukesplace.ca/

Your Legal Rights
Collection of legal information and resources on your legal rights in all areas of law.
yourlegalrights.on.ca
 
National Self-Represent Litigants Project
The NSRLP works to promote dialogue and collaboration among self-represented litigants. They regularly publish resources designed specifically for self-represented litigants – such as how to complete court documents, how to cope in the courtroom, and how to find and understand legal case law.
https://representingyourselfcanada.com/
 
Family Law Education for Women
Plain language legal information on women’s rights under Ontario family law, resources available in 14 languages.
onefamilylaw.ca

Ontario Women's Justice Network
Offers accessible legal information in a way that reflects the diverse experiences and realities of women, to help survivors of violence and their supporters better understand legal rights in Ontario. OWJN contains information on relevant legal issues, including written law (legislation) and case law (court decisions).
owjn.org

​Child and Spousal Support (Click to expand)

Family Responsibility Office
The Family Responsibility office collects, distributes and enforces support payments.
Agents available Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm; Automated account info available 24/7
1-800-267-4330
https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/familyResponsibility/index.aspx​

Child Support Table Lookup
This child support table look-up will help you find the base amount of child support. There is also a step-by-step Guide to Determining Child Support, which offers instructions and worksheets that will help explain how to calculate support amounts.
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/child-enfant/2017/look-rech.asp

My Support Calculator
Online Child and Spousal Support calculator to determine what support should be paid/received.
mysupportcalculator.ca​

Resources for Children / Parenting Support (Click to expand)

Ministry of the Attorney General Resource List
Books, Resources, and Websites on separation & divorce for parents, children, and teens. 
https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/resource_list.php

Families Change
Get age-appropriate information to guide you and your children through separation and divorce.
familieschange.ca

What Happens Next? Information for Children on Separation and Divorce
Booklet prepared by the Department of Justice. It’s meant to help children between nine and twelve years old learn some basic facts about family law and give them an idea of the processes that parents may go through when they split up. Includes activities children can complete.
justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/fcy-fea/lib-bib/pub/book-livre/pdf/book-livre.pdf

Little Eyes, Little Ears: How Violence Against A Mother Shapes Children As They Grow
This resource provides information on the effect of domestic violence on children. Topics include children’s strategies of coping and survival, and how violence may be experienced by children at different stages, from infancy to adolescence.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/prevention-resource-centre/women/little-eyes-little-ears-violence-against-a-mother-shapes-children-they-grow.html

Helping My Child: A Guide for Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
A Guide to help mothers, caregivers, and service providers support children who are living with, or have lived with, domestic violence.
http://domesticpeace.ca/images/uploads/documents/HelpingMyChildGuide.pdf

Financial Resources (Click to expand)

Dealing with Finances After Separation – Online Course & Handbook
This program provides information and strategies about finances to separated parents. The course assists parents to understand how to address the financial issues connected with separating.
justiceeducation.ca/resources/finances-after-separation

Ontario Works - Region of Waterloo (Social Assistance)
If you have trouble meeting basic needs, you may qualify for Ontario Works. This social assistance program provides income support for basic living expenses and can help you prepare for and find work.
Intake: 519-883-2100
https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/ontario-works.aspx

Community Outreach Program – Help for low income families in Waterloo Region
The Family Outreach Program is a neighbourhood-based program funded by the Region of Waterloo that works with families with children aged 17 and under to prevent and reduce the effects of poverty.
519-742-8327
https://www.houseoffriendship.org/how-we-help/family-neighbourhood-supports/family-outreach-program/

Sources of Affordable Food in the Region of Waterloo
Provides information and resources on how to access affordable sources of food in Waterloo region.
https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/affordable-food.aspx

Online Learning ​(Click to expand)

Free Webinars on Various Legal Topics such as:

• Financial Support after breakup
• When Charges are Laid in a Domestic Dispute – What to Expect
• Property Rights & Obligations (married & common law)
• Immigration, Women and Children
• Your Day in Family Court: How to Prepare and What to Expect
• How and When to Prove Abuse in Family Court

 
Family Legal Education for Women: https://onefamilylaw.ca/webinars-archive/

Community Legal Education Ontario: yourlegalrights.on.ca

Domestic Violence Information / Services (Click to expand)

Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
Operates two emergency shelters for abused women and their children. Also operate a regional Outreach Program providing support to abused women who are leaving the shelter, or who are still in abusive situations and need assistance.
Kitchener Crisis Line/Anselma House: (519) 742-5894
Cambridge Crisis Line/ Haven House: (519) 653-2422

Assaulted Women's Help Line 
A 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis line for all woman who have experienced abuse.
1 (866) 863-0511

Shelter Safe
Allows you to quickly identify a shelter in a specific geographic area, along with its 24 hour emergency phone number.
https://www.sheltersafe.ca/

Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Treatment Centre 
24/7 on call team of nurses and social workers who respond to the needs of individuals who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence. Located at St. Mary's Hospital and Cambridge Memorial Hospital.
(519) 749-6994
https://www.smgh.ca/patient-care-programs/community-based-programs/waterloo-region-sexual-assault-and-domestic-violence-treatment-centre/  

Victim Services of Waterloo Region  
Provides immediate crisis intervention, emotional support and referrals to individuals affected by crime and tragic circumstances. Can provide emergency financial assistance to victims of crime. Can provide ongoing support and safety planning for individuals experiencing domestic violence.
Office: (519) 585-2363, After Hours: (519) 570-5143
https://www.vswr.ca/

Police (Non-emergency line)  
Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge: (519) 653 7700   
All other areas: (519) 570-3000 
 
Child & Parent Place – Supervised Access Centre in Waterloo Region
Lutherwood’s Child & Parent program helps separated/divorced parents and non-custodial parties maintain relationships with their children by offering a safe, child-focused and neutral environment for visits and exchanges.
https://www.lutherwood.ca/mentalhealth/capp
 
Post-Separation Power and Control Wheel
Outlines different methods of abuse that can occur post-separation, and provides examples of these behaviours.      
theduluthmodel.org/cms/files/Using%20Children%20Wheel.pdf                                     
 
Security Planner
Easy-to-use guide with expert-reviewed advice for staying safer online. It provides recommendations on how to implement basic online safety practices.
https://securityplanner.org/#/