How Long Does It Take to Get a Parenting Order in Ontario?

If you’re waiting on a parenting order — whether for decision-making responsibility, parenting time, or both — "how long will this take" is usually the first question, and the honest answer is: it depends more than most people expect. Timelines vary by courthouse, by caseload, and most of all by whether the parents agree.

This guide breaks down the realistic stages of getting a parenting order in Ontario so you understand what actually drives the timeline, even though we can’t promise you a specific number of weeks or months. Nobody honestly can, and any source that quotes you a firm timeline isn’t being straight with you.

Why There’s No Single Timeline

Ontario’s family courts don’t publish a standard turnaround time for parenting matters, because the honest answer depends on your specific courthouse’s caseload, whether your matter is contested, and how quickly both sides move through each procedural step. Anyone quoting you a firm number of weeks for a "typical" case is guessing.

Two cases that look similar on paper — same courthouse, same basic issues — can move at very different speeds depending on how cooperative the parents are, how complete the paperwork is, and how backed up that particular court is at that particular time. That’s frustrating to hear when you want a straight answer, but it’s the honest picture.

The Stages That Make Up a Parenting Case

1. Starting the case

A parent applies to the court, or responds to an application, asking for a decision-making responsibility and parenting time order. This step is largely within your control — the timeline depends mostly on how quickly your paperwork is prepared and how completely it’s filled out the first time, since missing or incorrect information can send you back to the start.

2. Temporary (interim) arrangements

While the case is ongoing, parents can agree to a temporary arrangement, or either parent can bring a motion asking the court for a temporary order to cover the interim period. This is generally the fastest route to some court-endorsed structure, since it doesn’t require resolving the whole case first.

3. Case conferences

Family cases generally go through one or more conferences with a judge, aimed at narrowing the issues and encouraging settlement before things escalate to a full hearing.

4. Settlement or trial

Many parenting matters resolve by agreement at some point in this process — through direct negotiation, mediation, or a conference — without ever reaching trial. If no agreement is reached, the matter proceeds toward a trial, which is the slowest and most expensive route to a final order. A trial requires preparing and presenting evidence, and courthouse scheduling for trial dates is entirely outside either parent’s control.

What Speeds a Case Up

• Both parents are willing to negotiate and compromise
• Complete, well-organized paperwork filed correctly the first time
• A parenting plan that’s realistic rather than a starting position designed to provoke a fight
• Using mediation or a settlement conference proactively, rather than only after a dispute escalates

What Slows a Case Down

• Contested facts requiring evidence, cross-examination, or expert reports, such as a parenting assessment
• Repeated adjournments or incomplete paperwork
• A high-conflict dynamic where neither parent is willing to compromise
• Court and courthouse caseload, which varies by location and is outside either parent’s control

Relative Speed by Path

This table shows relative speed only. We’re not providing specific week or month estimates, because they vary too much by courthouse and case to state responsibly.

Frequently asked questions