The Family Law Information Centre in Ontario: What It Is and How to Use It

Walk into most Ontario courthouses that hear family matters and you'll find a dedicated office near the entrance, separate from the courtrooms themselves. That's the Family Law Information Centre, and for many people starting a separation or a family court case, it's the first real point of contact with the system — well before anyone stands in front of a judge.

Knowing what a family law information centre Ontario location can and can't do for you saves time and helps you use it well.

What a Family Law Information Centre Is

A Family Law Information Centre, usually called FLIC, is a free service located at courthouses that handle family law matters. It's staffed by family court support workers and, at many locations, family law lawyers who provide short, general consultations — separate from the free-standing duty counsel services some courthouses also offer.

FLIC exists to help people understand the process and their options before — and while — they're involved in a family case, whether or not they have a lawyer.

What You Can Typically Get at a FLIC

• General information about the court process — what forms exist, what a typical case timeline looks like structurally, and what each stage involves
• Referrals to mediation services, legal aid, community supports, and other resources relevant to separating families
• Basic help understanding court forms, though not the kind of detailed drafting help a retained lawyer provides
• Short general-information consultations with a family law lawyer at many locations, focused on orienting you rather than advising on the specifics of your case
• Information about parenting programs and other required steps, such as sessions courts expect parents to complete before certain hearings

What a FLIC Generally Does Not Provide

Who Staffs a Family Law Information Centre

FLICs are typically staffed by court-connected family support workers, and many locations also schedule family law lawyers who provide brief general-information sessions on-site. These lawyers are there to orient people to the system generally — they aren't retained to run your case, and the consultation isn't a substitute for hiring your own lawyer once your matter has any complexity.

Where a FLIC Fits Into Your Overall Case

Think of a FLIC as one stop among several, rather than a complete solution on its own. Many people use it early on to understand what forms they'll need and what a realistic process looks like, then move on to either a private lawyer, a legal aid application, or a self-represented filing depending on their circumstances and the complexity of the case.

A FLIC also tends to be a good source of current, courthouse-specific logistics — sign-in procedures, required forms, and referrals to local mediation or support services — details that can vary from one location to another and change over time.

How to Use a FLIC Effectively

1. Go early, before you've committed to a specific form or approach, so the general information can actually shape your plan rather than confirm a decision you've already made.
2. Bring a short written summary of your situation so you can use limited time efficiently rather than explaining background from scratch.
3. Ask about mediation and other resources, not just the litigation path — many family disputes resolve without ever reaching a contested hearing.
4. Treat what you learn as a starting point, not a full answer. A FLIC consultation is general by design; anything specific to your facts belongs in a conversation with your own retained lawyer.
5. Ask what's required before your next step, since courthouses can require certain sessions or forms to be completed before a case moves forward.

Frequently asked questions