This is the first installment of a two-part series We are living in an increasingly globalized world, so it is not surprising that families move – often long distances – more than they used to. While this can pose challenges…
Category: Frequently asked questions
What is legal coaching?
More than 80,000 people are unrepresented in family court proceedings in Ontario every year. You see many women who don’t have lawyers and, often, their former partner is also unrepresented. As we have discussed in the past, while the lack…
How do I make a complaint about a lawyer?
It is not uncommon for a woman to experience difficulties with her family law lawyer. The lawyer may not understand the unique dynamics in a case involving family violence. They may be good at the legal aspects of their work…
Tagged with: complaints about lawyers
How can I prove to the family court that I was abused in the relationship?
Track the abuse throughout your relationship by thinking about what went on at key points. Write this down; point form is fine. Take some time to organize this information before any meeting where you may have to talk about it;…
Tagged with: evidence
How can I support women to be as safe as possible after their family law case is over?
The family court process can be long and difficult. By the time it is over, many women are often exhausted and sick and tired of dealing with their former partner. Many also assume the battle is over; that the court…
Do children need a safety plan?
Many thanks to Miranda Brijlall, articling student at Luke’s Place, who prepared this response with assistance from Legal Director, Pamela Cross. In circumstances of family violence, children as well as their mothers need to take care of themselves by developing…
How can a woman support her kids during and after her family law case?
The more a woman can protect her children from the negative emotions she may be feeling towards and about her former partner, the better for them. Negative feelings towards her former partner Her fear of her former partner may be…
How can I support a woman who needs help from the Family Responsibility Office?
The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) is a program of the Ministry of Community and Social Services that collects and distributes court-ordered child and spousal support payments. If the person paying support fails to do so, FRO can enforce the court…
Is conjoint counselling ever appropriate in situations of woman abuse?
This FAQ builds on work done by others: a paper written by Julie Shaw and a published paper written by Sandra M. Stith and Eric E. McCollum. There are different opinions about whether or not it is appropriate for a…
What is independent legal advice and when does a women need it?
Before a woman signs any kind of agreement related to her family law issues, she should obtain independent legal advice (ILA). This means she needs to meet with her own lawyer to review whatever the agreement may be. Common agreements…
