Paralegals in Ontario Can Now Help with Family Law Matters

Sara Santos-Vigneault
22 hours ago
5 min read

Written by: Sara Santos-Vigneault

Date: January 19, 2025

Three people exchange divorce papers around a table with a Lady Justice statue. The setting is formal, with a tense atmosphere. — Photo by Karola G

Many Ontarians face family law issues without access to affordable legal help. Divorce, child support, or domestic agreements often require legal assistance, but hiring a lawyer may not be financially realistic for everyone. In response, the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) created a new licensing pathway that allows qualified paralegals to provide certain services in family law.

This new role—called the Family Legal Services Provider (FLSP)—allows paralegals to assist with specific, low-conflict family law matters. The goal is to improve access to justice while maintaining clear professional boundaries. This article outlines what licensed FLSP paralegals can legally do, what they cannot do, and how the public can access these services.

Why the FLSP Program Was Introduced

Access to legal services in family law has long been a challenge in Ontario. Many individuals represent themselves in family court or avoid taking legal action altogether due to cost. According to reports submitted to the Law Society between 2017 and 2022, family law was one of the most requested areas for expanded paralegal involvement.

The FLSP program was approved in 2022 and launched in 2025. It is part of the Law Society's broader effort to address unmet legal needs in a way that is both regulated and responsible. Paralegals who complete this training are permitted to provide limited family law services, provided the matter is low-conflict, procedural, and clearly within scope [1].

Overview of the FLSP Licence and Training

The Family Legal Services Provider licence is not automatic.

To qualify, a paralegal must:

Be licensed and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
Complete an accredited FLSP training program
Successfully finish a 40-hour field placement in family law
Pass a final competency assessment

The program is currently offered by Fanshawe College, in partnership with the LSO. Coursework is delivered online and covers legal concepts, ethics, client communication, and family court procedures [2].

What Paralegals with FLSP Licences Can Do

Paralegals with FLSP status are allowed to assist with a limited, clearly defined scope of family law matters. These are primarily document-based or administrative tasks that do not require court appearances or legal interpretation of complex rights. The services must relate to cases where the facts are not in dispute and both parties are cooperative.

The sections below describe in detail the types of services an FLSP paralegal can offer.

1. Uncontested Divorce Applications

FLSP paralegals can assist clients in filing for divorce where:

Both parties agree to end the marriage
There are no contested issues involving children, property, or support
The divorce is filed as a simple divorce (one party files) or joint divorce (both parties apply together)

They may:

Explain what documents are required
Help clients complete Form 8A or Form 8 under the Family Law Rules
Submit court filings using the Ministry of the Attorney General’s portals or in person
Assist in tracking service deadlines and required proof of service

They cannot provide advice on how assets should be divided or what parenting plan would be best. If any part of the divorce is disputed, the paralegal must refer the client elsewhere [1].

2. Child Support Applications and Modifications

Paralegals can help with child support matters that are formula-based and administrative.

This includes:

Assisting a parent in filing a new child support application through the Ontario Child Support Service, which calculates support based on income and number of children
Helping request administrative recalculation of an existing support amount under section 39.1 of the Family Law Act
Preparing court forms for a motion to change support, if the facts are simple (for example, updated income documents and no disagreement between parents)

Paralegals may explain which forms are needed (such as Form 15, 15A, or 14B), but they cannot appear in court or advise on whether a parent is entitled to more or less support.

Cases involving complex income, shared custody, or disagreement over amounts are outside the permitted scope [1][3].

3. Domestic Contracts: Separation and Cohabitation Agreements

FLSP paralegals may assist clients with drafting certain domestic contracts, including:

Separation agreements: covering issues such as support and property division, when both parties have agreed to terms
Cohabitation agreements: for unmarried partners
Marriage contracts: also known as prenuptial agreements

They may:

Prepare written versions of agreements based on client input
Use plain-language clauses consistent with Ontario family law
Explain filing procedures or notarization steps, if applicable

Paralegals must not negotiate terms on behalf of a party, nor interpret the legal effect of clauses. Clients are expected to provide clear instructions and, in many cases, seek independent legal advice before signing [1].

4. Family Court Forms and Procedure Support

Paralegals can offer procedural help, including:

Identifying which court forms are needed (e.g., Form 13 Financial Statement)
Assisting with form completion based on client-provided information
Explaining how and where to file documents
Helping navigate online systems such as Justice Services Online
Reviewing deadlines and court rules under the Family Law Rules

They cannot:

Provide legal advice about strategy
Draft affidavits with contested facts
Appear in court or speak on a client’s behalf

This support is especially useful for people who are representing themselves in a basic family law proceeding but want help understanding the steps [1].

Three people review and sign a Divorce document. A bronze Lady Justice statue is on the table. Mood is serious. — Photo by Karola G

What FLSP Paralegals Are Not Permitted to Do

The FLSP licence is limited. Paralegals are not allowed to:

Represent clients in court or speak for them during hearings or motions
Handle contested issues, including:
- Parenting or custody disputes
- Spousal support
- Property division
Work on cases involving the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) or child protection
Offer legal advice about what someone is entitled to under the Divorce Act or Family Law Act
Act as negotiators or mediators

If a case involves disagreement, complex finances, or emotional intensity, it is beyond the FLSP paralegal’s legal authority.

FLSPs must screen all files using Law Society tools to ensure they are legally allowed to assist. Matters that fall outside their scope must be referred to a licensed lawyer [1].

How to Access Paralegal Services in Family Law

Members of the public can:

Search the Law Society of Ontario’s public directory to find authorized FLSP paralegals
Confirm whether a paralegal is in good standing and eligible to offer family law services
Contact the paralegal directly to confirm pricing and availability

It is important to understand that FLSP paralegals can only work within the legal boundaries set by the Law Society. While their services are more affordable than full legal representation, they are designed for specific, low-conflict situations only [4].