Services that assist with the court process
Family violence
If you or your children are experiencing abuse, you might need additional services to help with your situation.
On this page
- Learn about court processes
- Types of services
- Related Justice Canada resources
- Find the publicly funded family justice services available in your province or territory
Note that not all provinces and territories offer the same services.
Learn about court processes
If you and your former partner are unable to agree on how to resolve your family law issues, you may need to resolve your issues through a court process. Alternatively, it may be that mediation is not appropriate for your situation, for example, if there is family violence in your relationship.
Even if you and your former partner are able to agree on everything, only a court can grant you a divorce.
Definition:
Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps parents come to an agreement about issues related to separation and divorce, such as their parenting arrangement. In “shuttle mediation,” the two parents do not need to be in the same room. The mediator speaks to one parent and then to the other parent separately. The two parents negotiate with the help of the mediator, without being face to face.
As court processes can be complex to navigate, you might need help to understand
- the different levels of court
- where to file your court documents
- the laws, regulations and rules
- the applicable forms
- the court process
Depending on your province or territory, courts might also have self-help materials or offer in-person assistance with court processes and forms for people who represent themselves. Visit Justice Canada website for links to provincial and territorial websites.
Types of services
These services can help you resolve parenting and support disputes and access the court system. They can offer options and services to resolve various family law issues.
Intake services
Intake services can provide you information about options to help resolve your family law issues. These services can be particularly helpful if you choose to represent yourself in the court proceeding.
Family legal aid and duty counsel
Legal aid plans in each province and territory help people, especially those with low incomes, deal with their family law issues. Different provinces and territories provide different services. Depending on where you live and your particular situation, you may be able to get general legal information on family law matters, free legal advice, explanations regarding the court process and help with understanding court forms. You may also be able to get a duty counsel to take on your case for free or for a low fee.
Family justice centres
Family justice centres can help you resolve parenting arrangements, parenting time, and/or family support obligation (child and spousal support) issues. These centres can provide referrals to parent education and information sessions or family dispute resolution services (like mediation), and information about court processes.
Definition:
A parenting arrangement is a plan that you or a court make for the care of your children after you separate or divorce. Parenting arrangements include “parenting time” and “decision-making responsibility.”
Definition:
Family dispute resolution services are out-of-court processes that parties can use in a family law dispute to attempt to resolve any issues upon which they cannot agree. There are many types of family dispute resolution processes, such as negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration.
Family law information and resource centres
Information and resource centres offer free information on separation and divorce, family law issues and on court procedures in your province or territory. Generally, employees do not provide legal advice. However, they can give you forms and guide you through the steps of family justice services and legal proceedings. They can also refer you to legal and community resources that meet your needs or provide education sessions.
Family law can be complex. You may want to get advice regarding your situation from a family law legal adviser.
For more information on provincial and territorial services that provide legal advice, please see the “Services that assist with the court process” section.
Definition:
A Legal adviser is a person who is qualified in a province to give legal advice to another person or represent them in court. This can be a lawyer, and in some provinces, may include other professionals.
Related Justice Canada resources
Find the publicly funded family justice services available in your province or territory
Alberta
Judicial Dispute Resolution
Court of King's Bench
Website: https://albertacourts.ca/kb/home
Provincial Court
Website: https://albertacourts.ca/pc/court-practice-and-schedules/locations-map
Family Court Assistance
Calgary
Telephone: 403-297-6981
Edmonton
Telephone: 780-427-8343
Fort McMurray
Telephone: 780-743-7345
Grande Prairie
Telephone: 780-833-4200
High Prairie
Telephone: 780-523-6173
Hinton
Telephone: 780-865-8384
Lethbridge
Telephone: 403-388-3102
Medicine Hat
Telephone: 403-529-8716
Peace River
Telephone: 780-624-6507
Red Deer
Telephone: 403-340-7187
Stony Plain
Telephone: 780-968-5812
St.Paul
Telephone: 780-614-6300
Wetaskiwin
Telephone: 780-361-1374
Toll free: Dial 310-0000 first for toll free access in Alberta.
Intake Services
Calgary
Telephone: 403-297-6981
Edmonton
Telephone: 780-427-8343
Fort McMurray
Telephone: 780-743-7345
Grande Prairie
Telephone: 780-833-4200
High Prairie
Telephone: 780-523-6173
Hinton
Telephone: 780-865-8384
Lethbridge
Telephone: 403-388-3102
Medicine Hat
Telephone: 403-529-8716
Red Deer
Telephone: 403-340-7187
Stony Plain
Telephone: 780-968-5812
St.Paul
Telephone: 780-614-6300
Wetaskiwin
Telephone: 780-361-1374
Court and Justice Services Contact Centre
Telephone: 1-855-738-4747
Child Support Guidelines Assistance - Resolution Services
Edmonton
Resolution Support Centre
8124, 8th floor 10365 97 Street, John E. Brownlee Building
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W7
Telephone: 780-415-0404
Fax: 780-415-0403
Calgary
Resolution Support Centre
#706-S, Calgary Courts Centre
601 - 5th Street S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 5P7
Telephone: 403-476-4744
Fax: 403-297-6103
Email: CalgaryResolutionSupportCentre@just.gov.ab.ca
Lethbridge
Resolution Support Centre
320 - 4 Street S
Lethbridge, AB T1J 1Z8
Telephone: 403-388-3102
Fax: 403-388-3104
Red Deer
Resolution Support Centre
4909 -48 Avenue
Red Deer, AB, T4N 3T5
Telephone: 403-340-7187
Fax: 403-341-8635
Grande Prairie
Resolution Support Centre
10260 - 99 Street
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2H4
Telephone: 780-833-4324
Fax: 780-833-4325
Medicine Hat
Resolution Support Centre
460- First St. S.E.
Medicine Hat AB T1A 0A8
Telephone: 403-529-8716
Fax: 403-529-3148
Toll free: Dial 310-0000 first for toll free access in Alberta.
Resolution Support Centres
Edmonton
Resolution Support Centre
8124, 8th floor 10365 97 Street, John E. Brownlee Building
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W7
Telephone: 780-415-0404
Fax: 780-415-0403
Calgary
Resolution Support Centre
#706-S, Calgary Courts Centre
601-5th Street S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 5P7
Telephone: 403-476-4744
Fax: 403-297-6103
Email: CalgaryResolutionSupportCentre@just.gov.ab.ca
Lethbridge
Resolution Support Centre
320 - 4 Street S
Lethbridge, AB T1J 1Z8
Telephone: 403-388-3102
Fax: 403-388-3104
Red Deer
Resolution Support Centre
4909 - 48 Avenue
Red Deer, AB, T4N 3T5
Telephone: 403-340-7187
Fax: 403-341-8635
Grande Prairie
Resolution Support Centre
10260 - 99 Street
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2H4
Telephone: 780-833-4324
Fax: 780-833-4325
Medicine Hat
Resolution Support Centre
460 First Street S.E.
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0A8
Telephone: 403-529-8716
Fax: 403-529-3148
Toll free: Dial 310-0000 first for toll free access in Alberta.
Child Support Services
Calgary
Telephone: 403-297-6060
Edmonton
Telephone: 780-415-6400
Elsewhere in Alberta
Telephone: 310-0000 toll-free and ask for the CSS office nearest to you.
Dispute Resolution Officer Program
Calgary
Resolution Support Centre
#706-S, Calgary Courts Centre
601 - 5th Street S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 5P7
Telephone: 403-297-6981
Fax: 403-297-6103
website: https://www.alberta.ca/dispute-resolution-officer-program.aspx
Edmonton
Suite 8124, John E. Brownlee Bldg.
10365-97 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 3W7
Telephone: 780-427-1907
website: https://www.alberta.ca/child-support-resolution-program.aspx
British Columbia
Family Advice Lawyer Services
Website: https://lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/familyAdviceLawyers
Family Duty Counsel
For a list of court locations served by Family Duty Counsel
Website: http://www.lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/familyDutyCounsel.php
Family Justice Centres
For an up-to-date list of Family Justice Centre locations and their telephone numbers
Website: https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1019
Family Case Conferences
Website: https://familylaw.lss.bc.ca/bc-legal-system/if-you-have-go-court/fcc-provincial-court
Judicial Case Conferences
Website: https://familylaw.lss.bc.ca/bc-legal-system/if-you-have-go-court/jcc-supreme-court
Comprehensive Child Support Services
Abbotsford Justice Access Centre
Nanaimo Justice Access Centre
Surrey Justice Access Centre
Vancouver Justice Access Centre
Victoria Justice Access Centre
Kelowna Family Justice Centre
Manitoba
Family Resolution Service
200-379 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0T9
Telephone: 204-945-2313
Toll free: 1-844-808-2313 in Manitoba
Fax: 204-948-2142
Email: getguidance@gov.mb.ca
Website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/familylaw/resolution/family-resolution-service.html
Website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/familylaw/resolution/court-system-and-procedures.html
Standard Clauses in Family Court Proceedings
Court of King’s Bench (Family Division)
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Manitoba
Administration Office
100 - 287 Broadway,
Winnipeg MB R3C 0R9
Telephone: 204-985-8500
Toll free: 1-800-261-2960 in Manitoba
Fax: 204-949-9216
Website: http://www.legalaid.mb.ca
Website: https://www.legalaid.mb.ca/contact/admin-office/
Website: https://www.legalaid.mb.ca/contact/community-law-centres/
Inter-jurisdictional Support
For general information and enquiries concerning transmittal of support and support variation applications
Designated Authority
Family Law Section,
Legal Services Branch,
Manitoba Justice
730-405 Broadway,
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3L6
Telephone: 204-945-0268
Toll free: 1-800-282-8069 (ext. 0268) in Manitoba
Fax: 204-948-2004
Email: ISOQuestions@gov.mb.ca
Website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/familylaw/money/iso.html
International Child Abduction
For specific information on cases involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction:
Candray Mehkary (Central Authority)
Manitoba Justice, Family Law Section, Legal Services Branch
730-405 Broadway,
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3L6
Telephone: 204-945-0268
Fax: 204-948-2004
Email: FLB@gov.mb.ca
For registration of out-of-province support orders
Maintenance Enforcement Program
100-352 Donald St, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2H8
Telephone: 204-945-7133
Fax: 204-945-5449
Toll free: 1-866-479-2717 in Manitoba
Email: manitobamepinquiries@gov.mb.ca
Website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/familylaw/money/enforcing-support.html
Website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/courts/mep/index.html
New Brunswick
Family Division Case Management
Counties of Charlotte, Kings and Saint John
Saint John Law Courts
10 Peel Street
P.O. Box 5001
Saint John, NB E2L3G6
Telephone: 506-658-2261
Fax: 506-643-2955
The Moncton Family Law Information Centre serves the counties of Westmorland, Albert, Kent and Moncton is located at:
Moncton Law Courts
145 Assomption Blvd.
P.O.Box 5001
Moncton, NB
E1C 0R2
Telephone: 506-856-3131
Fax: 506-869-6168
Family Division Case Management
Counties of Charlotte, Kings and Saint John
Saint John Law Courts
10 Peel Street
P.O. Box 5001
Saint John, NB E2L3G6
Telephone: 506-658-2261
Fax: 506-643-2955
Justice Modernization Branch
Department of Justice and Public Safety
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Telephone: (506) 453-3827
Email: JS@gnb.ca
Family Advice Lawyers
Saint John judicial district (counties of Saint John, Kings and Charlotte)
Telephone: (506) 658-2261
Outside of the Saint John Judicial District
Telephone: 1-855-266-0266
Justice Modernization Branch
Department of Justice and Public Safety
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Telephone: (506) 453-3827
Email: JS@gnb.ca
Family Duty Counsel
Outside Moncton and Saint John
Toll free: 1-855-266-0266
Moncton Family Law Information Centre
P.O. Box 5001
145 Assomption Blvd
Moncton NB E1C 8R3
Telephone: 506-856-3131
Saint John Family Law Information Centre
Court Services - Family Law
10 Peel Plaza, Floor 2B
P.O. Box 5001
Saint John NB E2L 4Y9
Telephone: 506-658-2261
Website: http://www.legalaid-aidejuridique-nb.ca/home/
Inter-jurisdictional Support
Bathurst
Court of King’s Bench of N.B. Family Division
254 St. Patrick St.
P.O. Box 5001
Bathurst, NB E2A 3Z9
Telephone: 506-547-2152
Fax: 506-547-2966
Campbellton
Court of King’s Bench of N.B. Family Division
157 Water St.
P.O. Box 5001
Campbellton, NB E3N3H5
Telephone: 506-789-2364
Fax: 506-789-2186
Edmundston
Court of King’s Bench of N.B. Family Division
121 rue de l’église
P.O. Box 5001
Edmundston, NB E3V 3L3
Telephone: 506-735-2028
Fax: 506-737-4419
Fredericton
Court of King’s Bench of N.B. Family Division
427 Queen St.
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Telephone: 506-453-2015
Fax: 506-444-5675
Miramichi
Court of King’s Bench of N.B. Family Division
673 King George Hwy
Miramichi, NB E1V 1N6
Telephone: 506-627-4023
Fax: 506-627-4069
Moncton
Court of King’s Bench of N.B. Family Division
145 Assomption Blvd.
P.O.Box 5001
Moncton, NB
E1C 0R2
Telephone: 506-856-2304
Fax: 506-856-2951
Saint John
Court of King’s Bench of N.B. Family Division
10 Peel St.
P.O. Box 5001
Saint John, NB E2L 3G6
Telephone: 506-658-2400
Fax: 506-658-3762
Woodstock
Court of King’s Bench of N.B. Family Division
689 Main St.
P.O. Box 5001
Woodstock, NB E7M 5C6
Telephone: 506-325-4414
Fax: 506-325-4484
Deputy Registrar
Court of King’s Bench of New Brunswick
Department of Justice and Public Safety
Justice Building
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Telephone: 506-453-2452
Email: DPS-MSP.Information@gnb.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
Family Law Information Sessions
Telephone: (709) 729-1381
Email: FLinfosession@supreme.court.nl.ca
Website: https://www.court.nl.ca/supreme/info-parties/getting-legal-assistance/
Duty Counsel – Legal Aid
Family Division of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland (St. John’s only)
68 Portugal Cove Road
St. John’s NL A1B 2L9
Telephone: (709) 753-4614
Fax: (709) 729-0784
Email: familyinquiries@supreme.court.nl.ca
Website: https://www.court.nl.ca/supreme/files/duty_counsel.pdf
Intake Services – Family Justice Services
Website: https://www.court.nl.ca/supreme/family-division/family-justice-services/
Inter-jurisdictional Support
Website: http://nl.isoforms.ca/
Family Justice Services
Northwest Territories
Court-Based Services
NWT Court Registry
Manager, Civil Division
Yellowknife
Telephone: 867-767-9288
Toll Free in the NWT: 866-822-5864
Legal Aid
Executive Director
Legal Aid Commission
Telephone: 867-767-9361
Toll free: 1-844-835-8050
Email: lac@gov.nt.ca
Office of the Children’s Lawyer
Telephone: 867-767-9253 ext. 82055
Email: childrenslawyer@gov.nt.ca
Toll free available across Canada: 800-661-0798
Nova Scotia
Family Law Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Supreme Court (Family Division) Halifax FLIP Centre
Telephone: 902-424-5232
Email: questions@nsfamilylaw.ca
Twitter: @nsfamilylaw
Website: https://www.nsfamilylaw.ca/
Nova Scotia Supreme Court (Family Division) Sydney FLIP Centre
Telephone: 902-563-5761
Email: questions@nsfamilylaw.ca
Twitter: @nsfamilylaw
Website: https://www.nsfamilylaw.ca/
Divorce Workshop
Telephone: 902-424-7509
Email: divorceworkshop@novascotia.ca
Website: https://www.nsfamilylaw.ca/separation-divorce/divorce
Intake Information Sessions (For Applicants and Respondents)
Website: https://www.nsfamilylaw.ca/programs-services/intake
Nunavut
Family Court Services
Family Mediation Program & Parent Education Program
Telephone: 867-975-6346
Fax: 867-975-6160
Website: https://www.gov.nu.ca/justice/programs-services/mediation-program
Nunavut Court of Justice
Telephone: 867-975-6100
Fax: 867-975-6168
Email: ncjcivil@gov.nu.ca
Legal Aid
Kitikmeot Law Centre
25 Mitik St, Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, X0B 0C0
Telephone: 867-983-2906
Toll-free: 1-866-240-4006
Kivalliq Legal Services
P.O. Box 420
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, X0C 0G0
Telephone: 867- 645-2536
Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik Legal Services
P.O. Box 29
Bldg#1104-B, Inuksugait Plaza, Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0
Telephone: 867-975-6395
Interjurisdictional Support
Telephone: 867-975-6112
Fax: 867-975-6148
Email: mainteneceenforcement@gov.nu.ca
Nunavut Family Support Program
Box 297
Iqaluit NU X0A 0H0
Telephone: 867-975-6112
Fax: 867-975-6168
Email: maintenanceenforcement@gov.nu.ca
Ontario
Legal Aid Ontario
Toll free: 1-800-668-8258
Website: http://www.legalaid.on.ca
Guided Pathways to Family Court Forms
CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario/Éducation juridique communautaire Ontario)
180 Dundas St. West, Suite 506
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8
Telephone: 416-408-4420
Email: info@cleo.on.ca
Website: https://stepstojustice.ca/guided-pathways/home
Family Court Support Worker Program
For information about the FCSWP in your community, call the Victim Support Line
Toll-free: 1-888-579-2888
Telephone (Greater Toronto Area): 416-314-2447
Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/family-court-support-workers
Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Unit
Family Responsibility Office
Interjurisdictional Support Order Unit
P.O. Box 600
Steeles West Post Office
Toronto ON M3J 0K8
Canada
Telephone: 416-240-2410
Toll free: 1-800-463-3533
TTY: 1-866-545-0083
Email: isounit@ontario.ca
Fax: 416-240-2401 or 416-240-2405
Family Law Information Centres
Program Management Branch
Court Services Division
Ministry on the Attorney General
720 Bay Street, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2S9
Telephone: 416-327-1348
Mandatory Information Program
Program Management Branch
Ministry of the Attorney General
720 Bay Street, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2S9
Telephone: 416-327-1348
Justice for Children and Youth Legal Clinic
55 University Avenue, 15th Floor
Toronto (Ontario) M5J 2H7
Telephone: 416-920-1633
Fax: 416-920-5855
Toll free: 1-866-999-JFCY (5329)
Email: info@jfcy.org
Ombudsman Ontario (Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth)
Children & Youth Unit
483 Bay St,
10th Floor, South Tower
Toronto, ON M5G 2C9
Telephone: 416-325-5669
Toll Free Phone: 1-800-263-2841
Fax: 416-325-5681
Email: cy-ej@ombudsman.on.ca
Website: https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/what-we-do/topics/children-youth
Prince Edward Island
Office of the Children’s Lawyer
1 Harbourside Access Road, P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Telephone: 902-368-4842
Fax: 902-368-5335
Email: OCL@gov.pe.ca
Legal Aid
Charlottetown Family Office
Suite B, 1 Harbourside Access Road
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Telephone: 902-368-6656 (inquiries)
Telephone: 902-368-6540 (office)
Fax: 902-620-3083
Summerside Family Office
2nd Floor, 120 Heather Moyse Drive
Summerside, PE C1N 5Y8
Telephone: 902-888-8066
Fax: 902-438-4071
Email: legalaid@gov.pe.ca
Website: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/justice-and-public-safety/legal-aid
Community Legal Information
53 Grafton St. Suite 202
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 1K8
Telephone: 902-892-0853
Telephone: 1-800-240-9798 (Atlantic region only)
Fax: 902-368-4096
Email: info@legalinfopei.ca
Child Support Services Office
Honourable C.R. McQuaid Family Law Centre
1 Harbourside Access Road, P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Telephone: 902-368-6220
Fax: 902-368-6934
Email: csso@gov.pe.ca
Quebec
For information on family justice services in Quebec
Website: https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/separation-divorce/separation
Saskatchewan
The Family Law Information Centre
Telephone: 306-787-5837
Toll free: 1-888-218-2822 Ext. 2
Email: familylaw@gov.sk.ca
Legal Aid
Estevan
Telephone: 306-637-4620
Telephone: 1-877-424-1903
La Ronge
Telephone: 306-425-4455
Telephone: 1-800-667-4095
North Battleford
Telephone: 306-446-7700
Telephone: 1-877-441-4418
Meadow Lake
Telephone: 306-236-7636
Telephone: 1-800-461-8188
Melfort
Telephone: 306-752-6220
Telephone: 1-877-424-1901
Moose Jaw
Telephone: 306-694-3700
Telephone: 1-877-424-1902
Prince Albert
Telephone: 306-953-2850
Telephone: 1-877-424-1900
Regina City
Telephone: 306-787-8760
Telephone: 1-877-424-1897
Regina Rural
Telephone: 306-787-1141
Telephone: 1-877-424-1906
Saskatoon Family
Telephone: 306-964-2200
Telephone: 1-877-324-2200
Saskatoon Rural
Telephone: 306-933-7855
Telephone: 1-877-424-1899
Swift Current
Telephone: 306-778-8272
Telephone: 1-877-424-1905
Yorkton
Telephone: 306-786-1440
Telephone: 1-877-424-1904
Head Office
Telephone: 306-933-5300
Telephone: 1-800-667-3764
Website: https://www.legalaid.sk.ca/contact/office_list.php
Facilitated Variation Services
Telephone: 306-787-5837
Toll free: 1-888-218-2822 Ext. 2
Email: familylaw@gov.sk.ca
Inter-jurisdictional Support
Regina
Telephone: 306-787-8961
Telephone: 306-787-7980
Outside the Regina area
Telephone: 1-866-229-9712
Yukon
Child’s lawyer
Trial Coordinator
Department of Justice, Government of Yukon
1st Floor, Andrew A. Philipsen Law Centre
2134 Second Ave.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5H6
Telephone: 867-667-3442
Toll-free in Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, ext. 3442
Yukon Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)
FLIC Administrator
Department of Justice, Government of Yukon
1st Floor, Andrew A. Philipsen Law Centre
2134 Second Ave.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5H6
Telephone: 867-456-6721
Toll-free in Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, ext. 6721
Fax: 867-456-6105
Email: flic@yukon.ca
Website: http://www.yukonflic.ca or http://www.yukonflic.ca/fr
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