For women
Family Court and Beyond: a court survival workbook for women leaving abusive relationships
If you are an Ontario woman 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, our Family Court and Beyond website is for you – even if you have already started to deal with your family law issues.…
Read moreTips for working with a lawyer
Communication and preparation are probably the two most important elements of making your relationship with your lawyer work well. Below are some key tips for working with a lawyer. Come prepared Come to meetings with your lawyer with an agenda or a list of questions. Make notes about the abuse in your relationship to give…
Read moreEffective communication after separation
Communication between two people who have separated is often challenging. When there has been abuse, it will almost certainly be a challenge and may create safety concerns. You may find that your ex-partner is using contact with you as a way to continue the abusive power dynamic that you are trying to leave behind. Your…
Read moreWhat are conferences in the family law system?
Much of your case will take place in a series of conferences. The goal of a conference is to assist the parties in settling their case. A judge has the authority to combine or skip conferences. There are three types of conferences: Case conference The purose of a case conference is to: Explore the chances…
Read moreManaging parenting time with an abuser
If you and your ex-partner have children together, you will likely face challenging situations as you manage the parenting issues that will arise. This resource provides suggestions and tips on how to anticipate and manage those challenges in ways that are safe for you and your children and can lead to outcomes that are good…
Read moreEvidence: Where to get it and how to present it
It is very important to present accurate, detailed and credible information. Going to court is an adversarial process. The judge has to decide between two sides. You need to make sure that the judge has enough information about what has happened to you that they understand and believe your version of the story. Where to…
Read moreThe best interests of the child test
The best interests of the child test is the test that is applied by courts when they make determinations about appropriate parenting arrangements for families after the parents separate (or if the parents have never cohabited). While the wording of the best interests of the child test is slightly different in the Children’s Law Reform…
Read moreFamily court operations: Guide for the pandemic
Luke’s Place has updated our resource that guides women and workers on Ontario’s family court operations. Download the latest version of Family Court Operations now. About this resource In March 2020, family courts moved quickly and efficiently to ensure their operations were consistent with provincial public health protocols put in place to limit spread of…
Read moreHow do I present evidence?
Most of your evidence will be in the form of written affidavits. Present evidence in a way that helps the judge see the full picture of your family’s situation.
Read moreHow does the court decide whether I can relocate with my children after leaving my partner?
If you are planning to relocate with your children and their other parent or anyone who spends time with them under a contact order does not agree, the court will determine whether the move is in the best interests of the children, taking into account a number of factors.
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