What support is available at a courthouse for someone representing themselves in a family case?

Ontario family courthouses generally have a Family Law Information Centre, staffed to give free general information about family court process, forms, and procedure, and to point self-represented litigants toward resources such as mediation services, community legal supports, and, where eligible, duty counsel or Legal Aid Ontario. Court staff there can't give legal advice or tell someone what to do in their specific case, but they can help demystify the paperwork and process itself, which is often the biggest early obstacle for someone without a lawyer.

Duty counsel, where available and where a person qualifies, can provide brief legal advice and sometimes limited assistance at court appearances, though this is generally more limited than full representation by your own lawyer. Many courthouses also have information sessions, mandatory or optional depending on the type of case, aimed specifically at people who are unrepresented. Because these supports vary by location and can be limited in scope, anyone representing themselves should ask court staff early what's available at their specific courthouse rather than assuming a particular service exists everywhere.