Family Court Operations and Services Guide

Download: Family Court Operations (2024)

About this resource

This resource guides women and workers on Ontario’s family court operations. It is current as of January 2024.

The guide covers:

  • Serving and filing documents, with a Form 6B Affidavit checklist, how to file submissions online and document naming protocols
  • Going to court, including teleconference and video conference preparation and etiquette
  • Finding and using legal help and court services
  • Court operations and services for related legal issues
  • Links to sites up-to-date information about Ontario’s family courts and the services connected with them

NOTE: While our guide will be a great tool as you navigate family court, stay informed about how the court in your local community is operating. There are sometimes differences between the general information available about the province as a whole and how courts in particular jurisdictions are operating.

Download the latest version of Family Court Operations and Services Guide now.

The history of this guide

In March 2020, family courts moved quickly to ensure their operations were consistent with provincial public health protocols to limit spread of the COVID-19 virus. During this process, many of those involved with the family court system – judges, lawyers, court staff and litigants – realized that some changes were long overdue and should be kept in place after pandemic protocols were lifted.

Luke’s Place created Family Court Operations during the height of the pandemic and updated it in 2022 and 2024. We will endeavor to keep this resource current. Please watch this webpage for updates.