How to Represent Yourself in Ontario Family Court (2025 Guide)
By Samantha Russell, Legal Document Support • One Stop Therapy Shop • June 2025
Can You Represent Yourself in Ontario Family Court?
Yes. You have the right to represent yourself in Ontario family court, and thousands of people do it every year. The courts call you a self-represented litigant (SRL). The biggest risk is not lack of legal knowledge — it is making procedural mistakes, using the wrong forms, or filing documents with errors that get rejected.
What Issues Can Ontario Family Court Decide?
- Separation and divorce
- Child custody and parenting arrangements
- Child support (Table amounts and special expenses)
- Spousal support
- Division of property
- Restraining orders
- Enforcement of existing orders
Key Family Court Forms You Need to Know
| Form | Name | When You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Form 8 | Application (General) | Starting most family proceedings |
| Form 10 | Answer | Responding to an Application |
| Form 14 | Notice of Motion | Asking the court to make an order |
| Form 14A | Affidavit (General) | Swearing facts in support of a motion |
| Form 35.1 | Affidavit in Support of Custody/Access | Any case involving children |
Step-by-Step: How the Family Court Process Works
- Start or Respond — File your Application or Answer at the courthouse.
- First Appearance — Short court date to identify issues and next steps.
- Case Conference — Meeting to explore settlement. Most cases settle here.
- Settlement Conference — More formal attempt at settlement before trial.
- Trial — Judge hears evidence and makes final orders. Most cases settle before this.
What Self-Represented Litigants Struggle With Most
- Wrong forms or outdated versions
- Affidavit errors — opinions instead of facts; not properly commissioned
- Service errors — not serving the other party correctly or on time
- Financial Statement mistakes
- Missing court deadlines
- Walking into hearings unprepared
Free Resources for Self-Represented Litigants in Ontario
- Ontario Court Forms: ontariocourtforms.on.ca
- Family Law Information Centres (FLIC): Located in many courthouses
- Legal Aid Ontario: legalaid.on.ca
- Law Society Referral Service: 30-minute free consultation
Need Help With Your Documents?
Flat-rate fees. Fast turnaround. Documents that do not get rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer for family court in Ontario?
No. You have the legal right to represent yourself. However, a lawyer can be helpful for complex cases with significant assets or high conflict.
What is a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits?
A Commissioner for Taking Affidavits is authorized to administer oaths and commission affidavits in Ontario. I am a Commissioner, which means I can help you prepare your affidavit AND legally commission it in one appointment.
About the Author: Samantha Russell is a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits based in Oshawa, Ontario. She helps self-represented litigants across the GTA navigate family court. Book a free consultation.