Understand Family Law in Ontario
Plain-language guides, practical tools, calculators, checklists and Ontario-specific resources to help you understand separation, divorce, parenting, support, property and family court — at your own pace.
Explore a Specific Topic
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Separation
What it means to separate in Ontario and what generally happens next.
Learn about separationDivorce
How a divorce is legally different from separation, and how the process generally works.
Learn about divorceParenting time
How time with a child is generally arranged between parents after separation.
Learn about parenting timeDecision-making responsibility
Who generally makes major decisions about a child's health, education and wellbeing.
Learn about decision-makingChild support
An overview of how child support is generally approached in Ontario.
Learn about child supportSpousal support
What spousal support is and the general factors that can be involved.
Learn about spousal supportProperty division
A general introduction to how property and debts can be addressed after separation.
Learn about property divisionMatrimonial homes
Why the home a married couple lived in is often treated differently under Ontario law.
Learn about the matrimonial homeCommon-law relationships
How family law can treat common-law partners differently from married spouses.
Learn about common-law relationshipsSeparation agreements
What a separation agreement generally is and what it can be used for.
Learn about separation agreementsFamily court
A general orientation to Ontario family court when an agreement can't be reached.
Learn about family courtChanging or enforcing an order
A general introduction to changing an existing order or agreement, or enforcing one.
Learn about changing an orderBrowse by Family-Law Topic
A more detailed directory of topics that will be covered across the site as guides are published.
Separation and Divorce
Parenting and Children
Child and Spousal Support
Property and Finances
Family Agreements
Ontario Family-Law Tools
Practical, plain-language calculators and wizards, free to use.
Child-support calculator
An estimate to help you understand how child support might generally be approached.
Spousal-support estimator
An educational estimate to help you understand spousal-support considerations.
Shared-parenting calculator
An estimate to help illustrate how shared-parenting time may generally be considered.
Property equalization worksheet
A worksheet to help organize property and debts for further discussion or advice.
Common-law rights calculator
An estimate of property and financial rights for common-law partners in Ontario.
Parenting-plan builder
A guided wizard to help draft topics for a parenting plan to discuss further.
View all tools and calculators →
Every tool on this site is an informational estimate or educational resource only. No tool
provides legal advice, produces a binding legal result, replaces advice from a qualified lawyer,
guarantees what a court might order, or creates a legally enforceable agreement on its own.
How Does Family Court Work in Ontario?
A simplified, general pathway through a family court case. Actual steps vary by court, location, urgency and the issues involved.
- 1
Identify the family-law issues
- 2
Determine the correct court
- 3
Prepare and file the documents
- 4
Serve the other party
- 5
Receive a response
- 6
Attend court conferences
- 7
Exchange financial disclosure
- 8
Bring or respond to motions when necessary
- 9
Negotiate or participate in mediation
- 10
Prepare for trial if the case remains unresolved
- 11
Receive and follow the court order
- 12
Change or enforce the order if necessary
This is a general overview only. It does not include specific forms, deadlines, fees, or filing requirements — those vary and should be confirmed with the applicable court before relying on them.
What Is Family Law in Ontario?
Family law in Ontario is the area of law that deals with relationships between spouses, parents, and children when those relationships change. It covers issues that can arise during separation and divorce, including parenting time and decision-making responsibility for children, child and spousal support, and how property, debts, and the family home may be addressed.
Family law also covers agreements that families can use to manage these issues themselves, such as separation agreements, marriage contracts, and cohabitation agreements. When people are unable to resolve issues on their own, Ontario's family court system provides a process for asking a court to help decide them.
Because family law applies to people going through some of the most significant changes in their lives, this website aims to explain these topics in plain, neutral, and compassionate language. The information here is educational. It is not personalized legal advice, and it cannot tell you what will happen in your specific situation — for that, a qualified professional who knows the details of your circumstances is the appropriate source of guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to common starting questions. Each links to a fuller guide.
Do I need a lawyer to separate in Ontario?
There is generally no requirement to have a lawyer to separate. Many people choose to get legal advice at some point, particularly for anything they plan to sign, while others manage parts of the process on their own. Read the full guide.
What is the difference between separation and divorce?
Separation generally refers to a couple no longer living together as a couple, while divorce is the legal process that ends a marriage. They are related but distinct steps. Read the full guide.
How is child support calculated?
Child support generally depends on factors such as income and parenting arrangements, among others. A dedicated guide and calculator on this topic are planned. Read the full guide.
How is parenting time decided?
Parenting time can be worked out directly between parents, through mediation, or, when needed, by a family court, generally guided by what is in a child's best interests. Read the full guide.
What happens to the matrimonial home?
The home a married couple lived in can be treated differently from other property under Ontario family law. A dedicated guide on this topic is planned. Read the full guide.
Do common-law partners divide property?
Property rules for common-law partners generally differ from the rules that apply to married spouses. A dedicated guide on this topic is planned. Read the full guide.
How does a family court case begin?
A family court case generally begins by identifying the correct court and preparing and filing an application. Read the full guide.
Can a court order or separation agreement be changed?
Court orders and agreements can sometimes be changed, generally when circumstances have changed. Read about changing an order or changing an agreement.
Urgent Family-Law Help and Safety
This website is an educational resource. It cannot provide emergency assistance. If you or a child are in immediate danger, contact emergency services directly.
This section may help if you are dealing with:
- Family violence
- Immediate safety concerns
- Child-safety concerns
- Threats, harassment, or stalking
- A concern that a child may be removed from Ontario
- An urgent need for a court order
Verified resources (coming soon)
- Emergency services Contact info pending verification
- Ontario victim services Contact info pending verification
- Legal Aid Ontario Contact info pending verification
- Family court support services Contact info pending verification
- Shelters and crisis services Contact info pending verification
Phone numbers and links will be added once verified against current official sources.
Featured Family-Law Guides
A sample of the plain-language Insights guides published on this site, one from each topic.
What to Do First After Separating in Ontario
A general orientation to the first practical steps many people consider after separating.
Parenting & ChildrenParenting Time and Decision-Making Responsibility in Ontario
A plain-language overview of both concepts, how they relate, and how parents can generally work them out.
Child & Spousal SupportChild Support in Ontario: How It Generally Works
A general introduction to how child support is approached after separation.
Property & FinancesWhat Happens to the Matrimonial Home?
An overview of how the matrimonial home is generally treated after separation.
AgreementsMediation in Ontario Family Law: What to Expect
A calm, plain-language guide to what family mediation generally is and what a typical session might involve.
Family CourtThe Family Court Process in Ontario: Step by Step
A general walkthrough of how a family court case is typically started and what generally happens next.
How This Website Approaches Family-Law Information
This website aims to provide information that is:
- Written in plain language
- Based on current Ontario and federal sources
- Linked to primary sources when appropriate
- Reviewed and updated as laws and procedures change
- Transparent about publication and update dates
- Educational rather than personalized legal advice
Speak With an Ontario Family Lawyer
If you have family-law related questions and would like to speak to an Ontario family lawyer for a 30-minute free consultation, please fill out this form.