There are various ways one may obtain free preliminary legal help, including:
- contact Lawyer Referral Service at (416) 947-3330 or 1-900-565-4577. The call will cost you $6.00, unless you are in a crisis situation. They can give you the names of lawyers who accept legal aid (I accept legal aid) and can refer you to a lawyer in your area for free half-hour consultation;
- contact lawyers directly as some provide free initial consultation (usually limited to one half hour). You can find lawyers who will be willing to give you free preliminary advice advertising in the Yellow Pages, on the World Wide Web, in community newspapers, on radio, etc;.
- visit the Family Law Information Centre located in various courts. This is probably the most effective method in terms of equipping yourself with information as to whether or not you require legal representation. You will also gain a general understanding of family litigation.
Family Responsibility Office
(from their web site):
The Family Responsibility Office has the legal authority to collect support payments and arrears and to take the following enforcement actions against those who do not meet their responsibilities:
- collecting funds from federal sources (such as ncome tax refunds and employment insurance benefits)
- reporting the payor to the credit bureau
- seizing the payor’s bank account or assets
- suspending the payor’s passport
- seizing lottery winnings
- suspending the payor’s driver’s licence
- taking the payor to court.
Family Law Information Centres
At the Family Law Information Centre, you will find different types of resources including on-site personnel to help you find information about:
- Alternatives to going to court
- The Court Process
- Parental Conflict and children
- Parenting issues
- Child Support
- Custody and Access
- Legal Advice (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Additional Resources:
- Resource materials
- Video Library
- Internet Access
- Software Access
Locations for free Family Law Information Centres in Toronto
Superior Court of Justice
393 University Ave., 9th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1E6
Tel (416) 314-1996
Ontario Court of Justice
47 Sheppard Ave. E.
North York, Ontario M2N 5X5
Tel (416) 326-1239
Ontario Court of Justice
311 Jarvis Street
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2C4
Tel (416) 326-1694
Ontario Court of Justice
1911 Eglinton Ave. E.
Scarborough, Ontario M1L 4P4
Tel (416) 326-3592