Family Law Insights for Ontario
Practical, plain-language Ontario family-law guides on separation, parenting, support, property, agreements and family-court process — organized so you can find the guide closest to your situation.
Recently Updated Guides
These guides were most recently reviewed and updated, one from each topic hub.
Divorce in Ontario: Understanding the Basic Process
A plain-language overview of grounds for divorce, the general application steps, and uncontested versus contested divorce.
Parenting & ChildrenParenting Time and Decision-Making Responsibility in Ontario
A plain-language overview of both concepts, how they relate, and how parents can generally work them out.
Child & Spousal SupportChild Support in Ontario: How It Generally Works
A general introduction to how child support is approached after separation.
Property & FinancesProperty Division in Ontario After Separation
How property division generally works for married spouses — equalization, the matrimonial home, and how common-law is different.
AgreementsMarriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements in Ontario
A general side-by-side introduction to two common domestic contracts, how they compare, and why couples consider one.
Family CourtThe Family Court Process in Ontario: Step by Step
A general walkthrough of how a family court case moves from filing through to a possible trial.
Start With Your Situation
Not sure where to begin? Choose the situation closest to yours and go straight to the related guides.
I Am Separating
Guides on first steps, separation agreements and the divorce process.
See guidesI Have Parenting or Custody Questions
Guides on parenting time, decision-making and parenting plans.
See guidesI Need Child or Spousal Support Information
Guides on how child and spousal support generally work.
See guidesI Need Help With Property or Finances
Guides on property division, disclosure and the matrimonial home.
See guidesI Have a Family Court Issue
Guides on the court process, motions and urgent situations.
See guidesBrowse by Family-Law Service
Each family-law service area has its own hub of insight guides. Pick a category, then choose the guide closest to your situation.
Separation & Divorce
18 guides. First steps after separating, separation agreements and how divorce works in Ontario.
See all guidesParenting & Children
16 guides. Parenting time, decision-making, parenting plans and the best-interests-of-the-child test.
See all guidesChild & Spousal Support
18 guides. How child support and spousal support generally work, Section 7 expenses and enforcement.
See all guidesProperty & Finances
13 guides. Property division, financial disclosure and the matrimonial home after separation.
See all guidesAgreements
14 guides. Marriage contracts, cohabitation agreements, mediation and negotiating a settlement.
See all guidesFamily Court
13 guides. How the family court process and motions generally work, and what counts as urgent.
See all guidesPopular Guides
A hand-picked selection of guides that answer some of the questions people ask most often.
Creating a Parenting Plan in Ontario
What a parenting plan generally covers, and how parents typically approach drafting one.
Child & Spousal SupportSpousal Support in Ontario: A Plain-Language Guide
General factors considered, and how spousal support differs from child support.
Property & FinancesWhat Happens to the Matrimonial Home?
An overview of how the matrimonial home is generally treated after separation.
AgreementsMediation in Ontario Family Law: What to Expect
A calm, plain-language guide to what family mediation generally is and what a typical session might involve.
Family CourtHow Family Court Motions Work in Ontario
A plain-language introduction to asking the court to decide something before the case ends.
Parenting & ChildrenWhat Is the Best Interests of the Child Test in Ontario?
A plain-language look at the test that generally guides parenting decisions in Ontario.
All Insights & Guides
Search or filter the full list of 32 plain-language guides published so far.
What to Do First After Separating in Ontario
A general orientation to the first practical steps many people consider after separating.
Separation & DivorceSeparation Versus Divorce: What Is the Difference?
An explanation of how these two related but distinct concepts generally differ.
Separation & DivorceDivorce in Ontario: Understanding the Basic Process
A plain-language overview of grounds for divorce, the general application steps, and uncontested versus contested divorce.
Separation & DivorceSeparation Agreements in Ontario: A Plain-Language Guide
A general orientation to what separation agreements are, what they can cover, and why independent legal advice matters.
Separation & DivorceCan You Separate Without Going to Court?
Why separating in Ontario generally doesn't require filing anything with a court.
Separation & DivorceWhat Happens to Debt After You Separate?
A general look at how debts are typically addressed alongside property when a relationship ends.
Separation & DivorceMoving Out During a Separation: What to Know First
A few general things to think about before moving out while separating in Ontario.
Separation & DivorceUncontested vs. Contested Divorce: Which One Applies to You?
A plain-language look at what generally makes a divorce contested or uncontested.
Parenting & ChildrenParenting Time and Decision-Making Responsibility in Ontario
A plain-language overview of both concepts, how they relate, and how parents can generally work them out.
Parenting & ChildrenWhat Is the Best Interests of the Child Test in Ontario?
A plain-language look at the test that generally guides parenting decisions in Ontario.
Parenting & ChildrenWhat to Do If the Other Parent Denies Parenting Time
General options to consider if scheduled parenting time isn't being honoured.
Parenting & ChildrenCan a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With?
A general look at how a child's own views can factor into parenting arrangements.
Parenting & ChildrenCreating a Parenting Plan in Ontario
What a parenting plan generally covers, and how parents typically approach drafting one.
Parenting & ChildrenCan You Move Away With Your Child After Separation?
A general look at what's generally involved in relocating with a child after separating.
Child & Spousal SupportChild Support in Ontario: How It Generally Works
A general introduction to how child support is approached after separation.
Child & Spousal SupportSection 7 Expenses in Ontario Family Law
What special or extraordinary expenses generally cover and how they're generally shared.
Child & Spousal SupportSpousal Support in Ontario: A Plain-Language Guide
General factors considered, and how spousal support differs from child support.
Child & Spousal SupportWhat If the Other Parent Won't Pay Child Support?
A general overview of the options available when child support isn't being paid.
Child & Spousal SupportDoes 50/50 Parenting Mean No Child Support?
Why shared parenting time doesn't automatically cancel out child support in Ontario.
Child & Spousal SupportHow Is Spousal Support Different From Child Support?
A plain-language look at how these two types of support are generally treated differently.
Child & Spousal SupportCan Child Support Change Over Time?
A general look at what can lead to a child support amount being revisited.
Child & Spousal SupportDoes Child Support End When a Child Turns 18?
A general look at why child support doesn't always stop at the age of majority.
Property & FinancesProperty Division in Ontario After Separation
How property division generally works for married spouses — equalization, the matrimonial home, and how common-law is different.
Property & FinancesWhat Happens to the Matrimonial Home?
An overview of how the matrimonial home is generally treated after separation.
Property & FinancesFinancial Disclosure in Ontario: A Plain-Language Overview
Why disclosure matters, what it generally involves, and what can happen if it isn't honest or complete.
AgreementsDo I Need a Lawyer to Separate?
A general look at when legal help is commonly sought during a separation, and when a written agreement may be enough.
AgreementsMarriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements in Ontario
A general side-by-side introduction to two common domestic contracts, how they compare, and why couples consider one.
AgreementsMediation in Ontario Family Law: What to Expect
A calm, plain-language guide to what family mediation generally is and what a typical session might involve.
AgreementsNegotiating a Family Law Settlement in Ontario
A general look at how people negotiate a settlement outside of trial, and why most matters settle.
Family CourtThe Family Court Process in Ontario: Step by Step
A general walkthrough of how a family court case moves from filing through to a possible trial.
Family CourtHow Family Court Motions Work in Ontario
A plain-language introduction to asking the court to decide something before the case ends.
Family CourtUrgent Family Court Issues in Ontario: When to Get Immediate Help
What the court process offers for urgent situations, and where to find real crisis resources.
No guides match your search. Try a different keyword or choose “All Guides.”
Official Resources
A few official and community-legal-education starting points, verified September 20, 2026.
- Family Law — Steps to Justice Plain-language, community legal education resources covering every major family-law topic in Ontario.
- Family Justice Services — Ontario.ca Describes services available to Ontario families going through separation or divorce, including mediation and information services.
- Family Law Information Centres — Ontario.ca Free, in-person information services located at Ontario family court locations.
- Family Court — Ontario Court of Justice General information on how the family court process works at the Ontario Court of Justice.
- Family Law Publications — CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) Free, plain-language legal information publications covering family law and related topics.
- Parenting Arrangements After Divorce or Separation — Department of Justice Canada A federal overview of how parenting arrangements are generally approached after separation or divorce.
Family Law in Ontario is not affiliated with any of the organizations listed above. They are included as a starting point for verified, official information.
Editorial Standards
Every Insights guide follows the same plain-language, general-information approach and is reviewed under our published editorial process before publication.
Speak With an Ontario Family Lawyer
If you have family-law related questions and would like to speak to an Ontario family lawyer for a 30-minute free consultation, please fill out this form.