Resources

Legal aid is available in every province and territory for people who meet financial eligibility criteria. Legal aid can provide a lawyer for court appearances, legal advice, or help with documents. Eligibility varies by province — income thresholds, the type of matter, and the urgency of the situation all affect eligibility. Contact your provincial legal aid office to apply. In Ontario: Legal Aid Ontario (legalaid.on.ca). In BC: Legal Aid BC (legalaid.bc.ca). In Alberta: Legal Aid Alberta (legalaid.ab.ca). In Quebec: Commission des services juridiques (csj.qc.ca). Other provinces have equivalent programs.

Family mediation is a process where a neutral professional helps separated parents reach agreement on parenting and financial issues. Mediation is faster, less expensive, and less adversarial than court. Many provinces offer subsidized or free mediation services. In Ontario, the Family Mediation Canada network and courthouse-based mediation services are available. In BC, the Mediate BC Society provides a roster of qualified mediators. Family Justice Centres in BC offer free mediation. Many legal aid offices can refer you to mediation services. Mediation is voluntary — both parties must agree to participate.

Many provinces offer parenting programs specifically designed for separated parents. These programs help parents understand the impact of separation on children, develop co-parenting skills, and reduce conflict. In Ontario, the For the Sake of the Children program is widely available. In BC, the Parenting After Separation program is offered free of charge online and in person. Some courts require parents to complete a parenting program before a case conference. Even if it is not required, completing a parenting program demonstrates to the court that you are committed to putting your children first.

Separation can be emotionally difficult for children and parents alike. Mental health support is available through a range of services: school counsellors (free, available through the child's school); community mental health centres (free or low-cost, available in most communities); children's mental health agencies (specialized services for children and youth); Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) through your employer (free, confidential counselling); and private therapists (covered by some benefit plans). The Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) provides free, confidential support for children and youth 24/7.

If you or your children are experiencing family violence, help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233. Shelter Safe (sheltersafe.ca) provides a directory of shelters across Canada. Victim Services programs are available through most police services and provide practical support and referrals. Legal aid offices can provide emergency legal assistance for people fleeing family violence. Many provinces have specialized family violence courts and dedicated legal aid services for survivors. You do not have to stay in a dangerous situation — help is available.

Most family courthouses in Canada have a self-help centre staffed by lawyers or paralegals who can give general legal information to self-represented litigants. They can help you understand the process, identify the right forms, and review your documents. Self-help centres are free. They are not a substitute for a lawyer, but they can make a significant difference. Find your local self-help centre through your provincial court website or by calling the courthouse. In Ontario, the Law Help Ontario program (lawhelpontario.org) provides online and in-person assistance.

A wide range of free online resources are available for separated parents. Steps to Justice (stepstojustice.ca) provides plain-language legal information for Ontario. The Justice Education Society (justiceeducation.ca) provides resources for BC. The Department of Justice Canada (justice.gc.ca) provides family law information for every province. Family Law in BC (familylaw.lss.bc.ca) is a comprehensive plain-language resource. The Canadian Bar Association (cba.org) provides a lawyer referral service. These resources can help you understand your rights and options before, during, and after a parenting dispute.