Who handles family law?
Family Law
Family law is split between federal and provincial. Federal handles divorce and child support guidelines, provinces manage family courts and child protection, and municipalities issue marriage licences.
⚠️ Shared Jurisdiction: This area involves multiple levels of government. The information below shows the primary responsibility at each level, but overlap is common. When in doubt, start with the level most directly related to your issue.
Key Facts
- ● The federal Divorce Act governs divorce, child custody, and support for married couples across Canada.
- ● Approximately 80,000 divorces are granted in Canada each year, representing a divorce rate of about 3.3 per 1,000 population.
Federal
Parliament of Canada
- ● Divorce Act
- ● Federal child support guidelines
- ● Spousal support
- ● International child abduction (Hague Convention)
💡 Example: Consult the Divorce Act for federal requirements, or contact your MP about family law reform.
Provincial
Provincial Legislature
- ● Provincial family courts
- ● Child protection and welfare
- ● Adoption services
- ● Provincial child and spousal support enforcement
💡 Example: Contact your provincial family court, or your MPP/MLA about family law services.
Municipal
City / Town Hall
- ● Marriage licences
- ● Vital statistics (birth, death, marriage registration)
- ● Local family services
- ● Community mediation programs
💡 Example: Apply for a marriage licence at your municipal office.
Quick Reference — Who to Contact
🏛️ Federal
Your Member of Parliament (MP)
🏢 Provincial
Your MPP, MLA, or MNA
🏘️ Municipal
Your City Councillor
How to Get Involved
You can make your voice heard on this issue by contacting your elected representatives at all levels of government.
- ● Contact your MP about federal policies and programs
- ● Reach out to your provincial MLA/MPP about provincial programs and regulations
- ● Attend municipal council meetings to discuss local initiatives
- ● Join advocacy organizations focused on this issue
- ● Contact your MP about proposed changes to the Divorce Act and federal family law policies.
- ● Reach out to your provincial representative about access to family mediation services and legal aid.
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Take Action →Frequently Asked Questions
Family law covers divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division. It is primarily governed by provincial law, with the federal Divorce Act applying to married couples.
You can apply for divorce through the federal court system. Grounds include one year of separation, adultery, or physical/mental cruelty. The process typically takes 6-12 months.
The Federal Child Support Guidelines set monthly amounts based on the paying parent's income and the number of children. Tables are available for each province and income level.
Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third party helps couples reach agreements on custody, support, and property division. It is often faster and less expensive than litigation.
Legal aid coverage for family law varies by province. Some provinces cover custody and access cases, while others have limited family law coverage. Contact your provincial legal aid society.