Frequently asked questions
Differences between religious/cultural family laws and Canadian civil family law
There are significant differences between some cultural or religious family law and the civil family laws in Canada. It is important for women to know about these differences before they make any decisions about how they want to organize their intimate relationships or how they want to resolve the issues that arise when those relationships…
Read moreAre there strategies that can make long distance access work?
This is the second installment of a two-part series There are many ways a family can organize access even when one parent lives some distance away from the kids. Factors that need to be considered include: Distance The children’s ages Finances Extent of contact before the move History of violence and ongoing safety issues Generally,…
Read moreHow can separated parents manage long distance access?
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 when the parents live together – finding new schools for the children, setting up house…
Read moreWhat 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 of legal representation is a challenge for any family court litigant, it raises particular issues…
Read moreHow 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 but not so good at communicating. They may not explain their fee arrangement well. They…
Read moreHow 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; for instance, before you meet with duty counsel or a mediator or before your first…
Read moreHow 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 order will keep them and their kids safe and that their ex will move on…
Read moreDo 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 a safety plan containing steps to increase and maintain their own safety, to the extent…
Read moreHow 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 justified but, unless she has fears for the children’s safety when they are with him,…
Read moreHow 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 order in a number of ways. Its authority flows from the Family Responsibility and Support…
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