What can I do if my spouse changes the locks and won't let me into our matrimonial home during separation?

Under Ontario's Family Law Act, both spouses have an equal right to possession of the matrimonial home regardless of whose name is on title, so a spouse changing the locks and denying the other access, without a court order granting exclusive possession, is generally not something the law allows on its own. This right of possession exists independently of ownership, meaning even a spouse who isn't on title generally can't simply be locked out during a separation just because the other spouse holds legal title.

If this happens, the excluded spouse has options, including seeking a court order confirming their right to possession or, in more serious situations involving safety concerns, seeking an order for exclusive possession in their own favour instead. Changing locks unilaterally doesn't itself resolve who ultimately gets to live in the home going forward — that's a separate question courts consider based on factors like safety, the needs of any children, and the parties' circumstances. Because being locked out of your home is both urgent and legally significant, anyone facing this situation should get legal advice quickly rather than trying to force their way back in or resolve it informally with the other spouse.