[{"body":{"value":"
You only have to want to live \"separate and apart\" from your partner to legally separate from them. This means that you have:<\/p>\n
Only one of you has to want this for you to legally separate.<\/p>\n
You don't have to go through a formal process or get a document to legally separate. But if you're married, you have to go through a formal process if you want to get a divorce<\/a>.<\/p>\n After you separate, most people need to make important decisions on their family law issues<\/a>. If you and your partner agree on your issues<\/a>, you should put what you\u2019ve agreed on in a written separation agreement. If you can\u2019t agree<\/a>, you can ask a family law professional for help or ask a judge in court to decide.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94680","id":"94680","resource":"node","uuid":"c3d25514-29d8-436c-abd9-f96da09590bb"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94682","id":"94682","resource":"node","uuid":"65b3c4b4-ffe5-4ead-a111-4130a155eea9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94683","id":"94683","resource":"node","uuid":"fbc3276a-89bb-44ce-a6ce-65366c61f162"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94684","id":"94684","resource":"node","uuid":"2d78e7de-bbfe-457d-aab2-28b94dad87b6"}],"field_question":"How do I legally separate from my partner?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95453","id":"95453","resource":"node","uuid":"b40cef30-6120-43d8-8d79-d9e76dc70b4c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95629","id":"95629","resource":"node","uuid":"2aae9aca-d8e1-4a29-ad01-6200cd9785d0"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95604","id":"95604","resource":"node","uuid":"0576243f-886a-4a71-b149-ff20fbd49fcf"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94153","id":"94153","resource":"node","uuid":"5824d679-3bde-4857-9192-bac1341a8e8d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76660","id":"76660","resource":"node","uuid":"11099304-a5ad-4968-a786-b306d3f68ef6"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95449","vid":"48884","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"How do I legally separate from my partner?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/how-do-i-legally-separate-my-partner-0","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95449\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1511364725","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95449","id":"95449","resource":"node","uuid":"10203868-9a85-4f06-a205-6a993345de0f"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"10203868-9a85-4f06-a205-6a993345de0f","vuuid":"8e94972e-629f-4ef6-baa8-54b3a312dd46","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" No, you don't have to get a divorce if your marriage is over. Some married couples separate and never divorce. Others get a divorce only when they want to remarry.<\/p>\n Separating and getting a divorce are different things.<\/p>\n You can separate from your partner if you're married or in a common-law relationship. To legally separate, you don't have to go through a formal process or get a document. You only have to live \"separate and apart\" from your partner<\/a>.<\/p>\n Only married partners can get a divorce. To legally divorce, you have to go through a formal process. You must apply for a divorce order from the court to legally end your marriage.<\/p>\n If you separate, each married partner has an<\/strong> equal right<\/strong> to stay in the matrimonial home and to claim a share in the value of the home. It doesn't matter who owns the home. You don't give up these rights if you decide to move out.<\/p>\n If you get divorced<\/strong> and you were not on title to the matrimonial home, you're no longer considered a married partner with an equal right to stay in the matrimonial home. But, this doesn't affect your right to claim a share in the value of the home.<\/p>\n You can start a common-law relationship with someone else if you're only separated and not divorced. But you can't legally marry that person until you get a divorce from your first partner.<\/p>\n There can be problems if you don't divorce your first partner and are in a common-law relationship with someone else and you die.<\/p>\n This can happen when the beneficiary on your financial assets and investments, like your RRSP, is your \"spouse\". Legally, your spouse is your ex-partner and not your current common-law partner. So your ex-partner gets those assets. To avoid this, you need to update your beneficiary designations or get a divorce.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94681","id":"94681","resource":"node","uuid":"497eca20-a5c3-4dd7-a0e8-4e95a04c7676"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94679","id":"94679","resource":"node","uuid":"e06685f8-4c85-400b-9906-b2c3eb39559d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94687","id":"94687","resource":"node","uuid":"6465b8fd-0810-4916-8b48-2c3d47016776"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94686","id":"94686","resource":"node","uuid":"34828e9e-6674-4c8e-804e-f8b117493100"}],"field_question":"Do I have to get a divorce?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95451","id":"95451","resource":"node","uuid":"20a9d7f5-ce0e-4345-9b2a-0a24c00112c3"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95452","id":"95452","resource":"node","uuid":"83ad4db5-d085-4b70-91dc-15cd03290ca6"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95629","id":"95629","resource":"node","uuid":"2aae9aca-d8e1-4a29-ad01-6200cd9785d0"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76408","id":"76408","resource":"node","uuid":"4a2bddeb-dd23-4331-861c-22ebca441b70"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94153","id":"94153","resource":"node","uuid":"5824d679-3bde-4857-9192-bac1341a8e8d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76660","id":"76660","resource":"node","uuid":"11099304-a5ad-4968-a786-b306d3f68ef6"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95450","vid":"48902","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"Do I have to get a divorce?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/do-i-have-get-divorce","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95450\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1511365118","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95450","id":"95450","resource":"node","uuid":"6169f40b-454e-4a54-96b6-6acd1cf10f6b"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"6169f40b-454e-4a54-96b6-6acd1cf10f6b","vuuid":"f23ca0ec-175e-47c4-ac8f-4ee7777f8735","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" If you're married and want to legally end your marriage, you must apply for a divorce order from the court.<\/p>\n If your partner doesn't want to get a divorce, you can apply for one yourself. If your partner doesn't respond, this is sometimes called an \"Uncontested Divorce\". If your partner responds and disagrees with what you're asking for, this is sometimes called a \"Contested Divorce\".<\/p>\n If you both agree to get a divorce, you can apply together<\/a> by making a joint application.<\/p>\n To get a divorce in Ontario, you must meet certain conditions<\/a>. For example, you and your partner must have had a marriage ceremony and you must show that your marriage has ended. If you don't meet them, the court may not approve your divorce application.<\/p>\n A religious divorce doesn't legally end a marriage. But some religions require a religious divorce if you want to remarry within that religion.<\/p>\n The courts don\u2019t give a religious divorce. You have to get that through your place of worship or religious organization. For example, to get married again in a synagogue, you need a Jewish religious divorce<\/a>, which is called a get<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you separate, each married partner has an equal right to stay in the matrimonial home and to a share in the value of the home. It doesn't matter who owns the home. You don't give up these rights if you decide to move out.<\/p>\n If you get divorced and you don\u2019t own your matrimonial home, you still have a right to a share in the value of the home. But you no longer have an equal right to stay in the home. This is because you\u2019re no longer married.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94685","id":"94685","resource":"node","uuid":"1fe3fde6-97c1-477a-b33c-36c9c100a140"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94688","id":"94688","resource":"node","uuid":"7933658d-1d5b-4872-b4f6-2a5b51104859"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94689","id":"94689","resource":"node","uuid":"1802b3f3-3c72-4270-a999-3037ade81836"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94690","id":"94690","resource":"node","uuid":"4aad4c5e-6833-4457-b2de-825107d549bd"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94691","id":"94691","resource":"node","uuid":"32ecd93e-5002-4efe-b5f9-b86cec71ed4a"}],"field_question":"How do I apply for a divorce by myself? ","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95450","id":"95450","resource":"node","uuid":"6169f40b-454e-4a54-96b6-6acd1cf10f6b"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95453","id":"95453","resource":"node","uuid":"b40cef30-6120-43d8-8d79-d9e76dc70b4c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95452","id":"95452","resource":"node","uuid":"83ad4db5-d085-4b70-91dc-15cd03290ca6"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76575","id":"76575","resource":"node","uuid":"935be251-4af4-45a6-aa5b-751de2e51f5d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94153","id":"94153","resource":"node","uuid":"5824d679-3bde-4857-9192-bac1341a8e8d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76660","id":"76660","resource":"node","uuid":"11099304-a5ad-4968-a786-b306d3f68ef6"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95451","vid":"58560","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"How do I apply for a divorce by myself?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/how-do-i-apply-divorce-myself","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95451\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1526672399","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95451","id":"95451","resource":"node","uuid":"20a9d7f5-ce0e-4345-9b2a-0a24c00112c3"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"20a9d7f5-ce0e-4345-9b2a-0a24c00112c3","vuuid":"ef89b392-edf2-495e-ac68-ecc5ab1a5bfb","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" If you're married and want to legally end your marriage, you must apply for a divorce from the court.<\/p>\n If you both agree to get a divorce, you can apply together by making a joint application. If only one of you wants a divorce, that person can apply on their own<\/a>.<\/p>\n To get a divorce in Ontario, you must meet certain conditions<\/a>. For example, you and your partner must have had a legal marriage ceremony and you must show that your marriage has ended. If you don't meet all the conditions, the court may not approve your divorce application.<\/p>\n A religious divorce doesn't legally end a marriage. But some religions require a religious divorce if you want to remarry within that religion.<\/p>\n The courts don\u2019t give a religious divorce. You have to get that through your place of worship or religious organization. For example, to get married again in a synagogue, you need a Jewish religious divorce<\/a>, which is called a get<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you separate, each married partner has an equal right to stay in the matrimonial home and to a share in the value of the home. It doesn't matter who owns the home. You don't give up these rights if you decide to move out.<\/p>\n If you get divorced and you don\u2019t own your matrimonial home, you still have a right to a share in the value of the home. But you no longer have an equal right to stay in the home. This is because you\u2019re no longer married.<\/p>\n A lawyer<\/a> can help you understand what the law says you have to do and what you can get when you divorce. If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, you may be able to find legal help<\/a> in other places.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94692","id":"94692","resource":"node","uuid":"de8197c9-64fa-4812-ba83-9c0b701815ea"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94693","id":"94693","resource":"node","uuid":"dc042d68-ee72-4641-9a49-eaaa08e699a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94695","id":"94695","resource":"node","uuid":"53faba72-4695-4475-ab87-ce5c2a8bad41"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94694","id":"94694","resource":"node","uuid":"ed6625ad-e5fe-4f59-83b4-05eb73b9b90b"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94696","id":"94696","resource":"node","uuid":"0af83e2a-196b-49f1-bb20-29dc7a372ccd"}],"field_question":"How do I apply for a divorce with my partner?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95450","id":"95450","resource":"node","uuid":"6169f40b-454e-4a54-96b6-6acd1cf10f6b"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95453","id":"95453","resource":"node","uuid":"b40cef30-6120-43d8-8d79-d9e76dc70b4c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95629","id":"95629","resource":"node","uuid":"2aae9aca-d8e1-4a29-ad01-6200cd9785d0"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76575","id":"76575","resource":"node","uuid":"935be251-4af4-45a6-aa5b-751de2e51f5d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94153","id":"94153","resource":"node","uuid":"5824d679-3bde-4857-9192-bac1341a8e8d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76660","id":"76660","resource":"node","uuid":"11099304-a5ad-4968-a786-b306d3f68ef6"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1526356800","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":"1557892800","field_staff_lawyer":"Fara Wali","field_staff_editor":"Carina Vincent","field_review_notes":"2018-05-15: updated to reflect e-filing effective April 23, 2018 ","field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[[]],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":"Gillian Wright (MAG)","nid":"95452","vid":"59401","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"How do I apply for a divorce with my partner?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/how-do-i-apply-divorce-my-partner","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95452\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1527781240","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95452","id":"95452","resource":"node","uuid":"83ad4db5-d085-4b70-91dc-15cd03290ca6"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"83ad4db5-d085-4b70-91dc-15cd03290ca6","vuuid":"b6f9950d-6f72-4e44-acfa-01125df73454","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" Once you or your partner decide to separate or divorce<\/a>, you have to make decisions on important things like:<\/p>\n And, if you\u2019re not a Canadian citizen and you want to separate from or divorce<\/a> your partner, you also need to think about how your immigration status will be affected.<\/p>\n For some things, like custody, access, child support, and spousal support the law doesn't treat people differently based on whether they are married or in a common-law relationship.<\/p>\n But for other things, like dividing property, the law treats people differently depending on whether they are married or are in a common-law relationship.<\/p>\n You can talk to a lawyer<\/a> who can help you understand how being married or in a common-law relationship affects what the law says you have to do and what you can get when you separate or divorce.<\/p>\n If you can't afford to hire a lawyer for your whole case, some lawyers will provide \"unbundled\" or \"limited scope\" services<\/a>. This means you pay them to help you with part of your case.<\/p>\n If you can't afford to hire a lawyer at all, you may be able to find legal help<\/a> in other places.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94697","id":"94697","resource":"node","uuid":"132d21d9-f60f-4e4c-8813-0c78bbdd7e8c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94698","id":"94698","resource":"node","uuid":"8e3bd64f-aec3-451e-bb2c-6dbfeb5dbf0e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94699","id":"94699","resource":"node","uuid":"eb9de111-fb94-4568-919a-20a19ca06300"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94700","id":"94700","resource":"node","uuid":"3234618b-ad00-4a95-9bb9-abaf091530fc"}],"field_question":"What legal issues should I think about when I separate or divorce?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95449","id":"95449","resource":"node","uuid":"10203868-9a85-4f06-a205-6a993345de0f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/103763","id":"103763","resource":"node","uuid":"19c83390-a075-40fc-b356-7fc07687a892"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/96772","id":"96772","resource":"node","uuid":"edf334a5-de31-4db0-912c-fac3fba79359"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94153","id":"94153","resource":"node","uuid":"5824d679-3bde-4857-9192-bac1341a8e8d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76660","id":"76660","resource":"node","uuid":"11099304-a5ad-4968-a786-b306d3f68ef6"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76674","id":"76674","resource":"node","uuid":"c05fdbb9-35c0-48f4-8c70-d50d1a60d045"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95453","vid":"68186","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What legal issues should I think about when I separate or divorce?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-legal-issues-should-i-think-about-when-i-separate-or-divorce","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95453\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449089119","changed":"1539206459","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95453","id":"95453","resource":"node","uuid":"b40cef30-6120-43d8-8d79-d9e76dc70b4c"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"b40cef30-6120-43d8-8d79-d9e76dc70b4c","vuuid":"00607e4a-d01d-4bc6-9793-fb076dd43876","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" If you and your partner agree on your family law issues<\/a>, you can put what you've agreed on in a separation agreement. This is a written contract that you and your partner make.<\/p>\n You can make a separation agreement if you're married or in a common-law relationship.<\/p>\n There are some good reasons to make a written separation agreement:<\/p>\n If you're married, you don't get a divorce by signing a separation agreement. To legally divorce and end your marriage, you must apply for a divorce order from the court. But you can agree on when and how to get a divorce in your separation agreement.<\/p>\n You can make a separation agreement at any time after you separate. But there are time limits<\/strong> for making certain claims. For example, you have 6 years from the date of separation but only 2 years from the date of your divorce to make a claim for dividing property.<\/p>\n You don't have to wait until you and your partner agree on everything before making a separation agreement. You can make an agreement on the things you agree on, while working on other issues.<\/p>\n You can also change a separation agreement at any time by making a new one, if both you and your partner agree to the changes.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94701","id":"94701","resource":"node","uuid":"9d3623ea-fffa-41cc-91e2-76fdc563739f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94702","id":"94702","resource":"node","uuid":"773401e8-bc7a-4dff-a329-2ae46b927318"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94703","id":"94703","resource":"node","uuid":"ae9e37e5-2177-4ccb-a8a0-2345db30831f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94704","id":"94704","resource":"node","uuid":"a77e8a71-4149-42ae-86f2-fae6f103590f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94705","id":"94705","resource":"node","uuid":"ecd12ab5-32b2-482a-8cb2-a87cc3544e36"}],"field_question":"What if my partner and I agree on what to do after we separate or divorce?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/893","id":"893","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"21e4bc73-8764-4513-9ce5-94478b74f681"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95456","id":"95456","resource":"node","uuid":"cff193a6-85ef-44f3-bff2-3c307c3d0353"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95451","id":"95451","resource":"node","uuid":"20a9d7f5-ce0e-4345-9b2a-0a24c00112c3"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95452","id":"95452","resource":"node","uuid":"83ad4db5-d085-4b70-91dc-15cd03290ca6"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95682","id":"95682","resource":"node","uuid":"7537f6e0-f5e4-45f0-9285-c80e87f44ae8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95681","id":"95681","resource":"node","uuid":"a22d3795-a571-423a-8160-381c3e70b0ad"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/96350","id":"96350","resource":"node","uuid":"74e6da58-8dde-45c4-93be-11813d7d3565"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/89774","id":"89774","resource":"node","uuid":"35125559-0ee5-4eda-8d65-f7e7ce110df0"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95454","vid":"67066","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What if my partner and I agree on what to do after we separate or divorce?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-if-my-partner-and-i-agree-what-do-after-we-separate-or-divorce","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95454\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1537556316","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95454","id":"95454","resource":"node","uuid":"d8e0f098-8e03-4be0-b1fe-80003e733cfa"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"d8e0f098-8e03-4be0-b1fe-80003e733cfa","vuuid":"af40161e-6ce6-41a9-a64a-21e1da8aa805","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" If you and your partner cannot agree on your family law issues<\/a>, with or without lawyers, you have two options. You can ask a family law professional to help you resolve your issues. Or, you can go to court and ask a judge to decide.<\/p>\n There are different types of family law professionals who can help you and your partner resolve your issues. These are neutral people who are trained to work with both of you to help you reach an agreement or make a decision for you.<\/p>\n These processes are sometimes called alternative dispute resolution because they help solve your issues without going to court.<\/p>\n If you and your partner still cannot agree even with the help of a family law professional, or if this is not the right option for you, one of you will have to start a family law court case.<\/p>\n A family court makes decisions using the family law rules<\/a> and laws. Going to court can be a complicated process and it can take a lot of time. It can be stressful and expensive, but it is sometimes necessary to decide your issues.<\/p>\n You don't have to stick with one of these options. Sometimes you can use both or switch from one to the other.<\/p>\n For example, you and your partner might not be able to solve your case with the help of a family law professional, so you decide to go to court.<\/p>\n Or you might start a court case first, but then you and your partner agree to pause your case while you try to reach an agreement with the help of a family law professional.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94706","id":"94706","resource":"node","uuid":"bfa4ab1e-7aef-405a-a09a-5822e46b06b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94707","id":"94707","resource":"node","uuid":"c337981a-6325-4e8c-802a-57fdc3c52d3e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94708","id":"94708","resource":"node","uuid":"e7fb7c63-f8d1-4948-85cc-4469767ae03b"}],"field_question":"My partner and I are separating and don't agree on our issues. What should we do?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95612","id":"95612","resource":"node","uuid":"02749c54-e520-4fe7-b0ff-d7ba39ec77f2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95449","id":"95449","resource":"node","uuid":"10203868-9a85-4f06-a205-6a993345de0f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95453","id":"95453","resource":"node","uuid":"b40cef30-6120-43d8-8d79-d9e76dc70b4c"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95682","id":"95682","resource":"node","uuid":"7537f6e0-f5e4-45f0-9285-c80e87f44ae8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95681","id":"95681","resource":"node","uuid":"a22d3795-a571-423a-8160-381c3e70b0ad"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/96350","id":"96350","resource":"node","uuid":"74e6da58-8dde-45c4-93be-11813d7d3565"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76575","id":"76575","resource":"node","uuid":"935be251-4af4-45a6-aa5b-751de2e51f5d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94136","id":"94136","resource":"node","uuid":"765a6f01-7b8d-48b3-8eac-3c704e3ec94e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95455","vid":"48322","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"My partner and I are separating and don't agree on our issues. What should we do?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/my-partner-and-i-are-separating-and-dont-agree-our-issues-what-should-we-do","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95455\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449088219","changed":"1510847222","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95455","id":"95455","resource":"node","uuid":"a832b738-01af-4791-9949-3f57cf8ee7ee"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"a832b738-01af-4791-9949-3f57cf8ee7ee","vuuid":"6dd28407-5466-49b9-b4dd-cc4404e8e449","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" Your separation agreement has to follow certain rules to make it legal and \"enforceable\" or \"binding\". This means your agreement is made in a way that allows the court to order you or your partner to do what the agreement says, if either of you stop following it.<\/p>\n The rules say:<\/p>\n If you and your partner didn't follow these rules when making your separation agreement, you can ask the court to set aside<\/strong> your agreement. This means asking the court to allow you not to follow the agreement.<\/p>\n The court may decide to enforce all, none, or only part of the agreement.<\/p>\n Legal Aid Ontario<\/a> (LAO) has a service to help people with separation agreements. If your income is low enough<\/a>, LAO covers the cost of up to 10 hours with a family lawyer to help you negotiate and draft a separation agreement.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94709","id":"94709","resource":"node","uuid":"6ce749c7-6c64-45fd-9a04-fc6e9b510c44"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94710","id":"94710","resource":"node","uuid":"65d68b73-569f-47a0-b865-181ca6b8e477"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94711","id":"94711","resource":"node","uuid":"442960f2-7938-442b-bcc1-eb1374a62b4f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94712","id":"94712","resource":"node","uuid":"4116135d-f209-4b5f-bb6e-7bc6240f82de"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94713","id":"94713","resource":"node","uuid":"07b5bd00-78c7-4583-9b9e-660b870516bd"}],"field_question":"How do I make an agreement with my partner that the court will enforce? ","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95453","id":"95453","resource":"node","uuid":"b40cef30-6120-43d8-8d79-d9e76dc70b4c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95454","id":"95454","resource":"node","uuid":"d8e0f098-8e03-4be0-b1fe-80003e733cfa"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95458","id":"95458","resource":"node","uuid":"7c5a46f9-3d94-482f-be55-ab9681bdab37"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95682","id":"95682","resource":"node","uuid":"7537f6e0-f5e4-45f0-9285-c80e87f44ae8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95681","id":"95681","resource":"node","uuid":"a22d3795-a571-423a-8160-381c3e70b0ad"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/96350","id":"96350","resource":"node","uuid":"74e6da58-8dde-45c4-93be-11813d7d3565"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/89774","id":"89774","resource":"node","uuid":"35125559-0ee5-4eda-8d65-f7e7ce110df0"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95456","vid":"48324","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"How do I make an agreement with my partner that the court will enforce?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/how-do-i-make-agreement-my-partner-court-will-enforce","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95456\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510847259","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95456","id":"95456","resource":"node","uuid":"cff193a6-85ef-44f3-bff2-3c307c3d0353"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"cff193a6-85ef-44f3-bff2-3c307c3d0353","vuuid":"db45f966-2e69-450a-9fd2-27106a5e25f5","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" You may have a separation agreement but your partner isn't following it any more. For example:<\/p>\n It can be difficult to get along with your partner. Small issues can build up and make you want to change your separation agreement. Think carefully about what issues you want to take to court.<\/p>\n For example, it is best not to go to court for things like who has to wash your child's clothes after access visits or because your partner isn't always on time. Try to find another way to resolve these issues that can save you time and money.<\/p>\n You should first see what your separation agreement says you have to do if one of you doesn't follow it. For example, it might say that you have to try mediation to work out your issues before going to court. Even if your separation agreement doesn't say this, you may want to get help from a family law professional.<\/p>\n Usually, agreements about support can be enforced<\/a> by the Family Responsibility Office. Or, you can go to court.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94714","id":"94714","resource":"node","uuid":"37c2fd12-8fa7-4be6-9b1a-b23a6c3bced1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94715","id":"94715","resource":"node","uuid":"ca699fb0-05b1-4d37-ba7a-8c0088362ad6"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94716","id":"94716","resource":"node","uuid":"e5e963c7-58aa-423b-a116-dafd85696987"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94717","id":"94717","resource":"node","uuid":"52d5a1e1-11af-445e-a435-29f3f3250421"}],"field_question":"What can I do if my partner isn't following our separation agreement?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95458","id":"95458","resource":"node","uuid":"7c5a46f9-3d94-482f-be55-ab9681bdab37"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95612","id":"95612","resource":"node","uuid":"02749c54-e520-4fe7-b0ff-d7ba39ec77f2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95486","id":"95486","resource":"node","uuid":"d04c1577-52b8-4674-9f64-9e18bf14851e"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76575","id":"76575","resource":"node","uuid":"935be251-4af4-45a6-aa5b-751de2e51f5d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76528","id":"76528","resource":"node","uuid":"e22bb040-2bc7-4666-90c1-0a50ece309c5"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94136","id":"94136","resource":"node","uuid":"765a6f01-7b8d-48b3-8eac-3c704e3ec94e"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95457","vid":"48896","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What can I do if my partner isn't following our separation agreement?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-can-i-do-if-my-partner-isnt-following-our-separation-agreement","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95457\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1511364970","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95457","id":"95457","resource":"node","uuid":"8d6b3e68-29fb-4707-ae23-1fdce825427e"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"8d6b3e68-29fb-4707-ae23-1fdce825427e","vuuid":"410ef95c-2bcc-4c2d-886e-974f0ce61b4c","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" You or your partner may want or need to change your separation agreement because of changes to your situation. For example:<\/p>\n It can be difficult to get along with your partner. Small issues can build up and make you want to change your separation agreement. Think carefully about what issues you want to take to court.<\/p>\n For example, it is best not to go to court for things like who has to wash your child's clothes after access visits or because your partner isn't always on time. Try to find another way to resolve these issues that can save you time and money.<\/p>\n You should first see what your separation agreement says you have to do if one of you doesn't follow it. For example, it might say that you have to try mediation to work out your issues before going to court. Even if your separation agreement doesn't say this, you may want to get help from a family law professional.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94718","id":"94718","resource":"node","uuid":"e7180d6c-96f2-4a08-b9d5-1f5c95ec201f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94719","id":"94719","resource":"node","uuid":"17a2272c-ca3a-47b4-b445-f8fc624725b9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94720","id":"94720","resource":"node","uuid":"7e8cad94-b811-4d37-a866-a9d5d35d0fb8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94721","id":"94721","resource":"node","uuid":"f32945e4-2ad9-4249-86e8-f91515bd2511"}],"field_question":"How do I change my separation agreement?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95474","id":"95474","resource":"node","uuid":"63907c66-1e07-4877-93f1-9b52697c3f59"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95488","id":"95488","resource":"node","uuid":"89d73eeb-465b-46d3-8684-e87211277ece"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95504","id":"95504","resource":"node","uuid":"2de8fa3b-cbed-4386-b6c6-018bda117370"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76575","id":"76575","resource":"node","uuid":"935be251-4af4-45a6-aa5b-751de2e51f5d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93308","id":"93308","resource":"node","uuid":"00bd72c8-a1c4-41ce-9419-4a8d7a251a29"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95458","vid":"48894","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"How do I change my separation agreement?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/how-do-i-change-my-separation-agreement","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95458\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1511364883","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95458","id":"95458","resource":"node","uuid":"7c5a46f9-3d94-482f-be55-ab9681bdab37"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"7c5a46f9-3d94-482f-be55-ab9681bdab37","vuuid":"77c7c51e-525b-4203-9638-dfe5b2bc603e","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" You may have a court order but your partner isn't following it any more. For example:<\/p>\n It can be difficult to get along with your partner. Small issues can build up and make you want to change your court order. Think carefully about what issues you want to take to court.<\/p>\n For example, it is best not to go to court for things like who has to wash your child's clothes after access visits or because your partner isn't always on time. Try to find another way to resolve these issues that can save you time and money.<\/p>\n You should first see what your court order says you have to do if one of you doesn't follow it. For example, it might say that you have to try mediation to work out your issues before going to court. Even if your court order doesn't say this, you may want to get help from a family law professional.<\/p>\n You can talk to a lawyer<\/a> who can review your court order and your situation to advise you on what to do and what you have to do to protect your rights.<\/p>\n If you can't afford to hire a lawyer for your whole case, some lawyers will provide \"unbundled\" or \"limited scope\" services<\/a>. This means you pay them to help you with part of your case.<\/p>\n If you can't afford to hire a lawyer at all, you may be able to find legal help<\/a> in other places.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94722","id":"94722","resource":"node","uuid":"15836f56-6b31-4289-a5ba-264717ec27e9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94723","id":"94723","resource":"node","uuid":"a23537b8-3d8d-4e0b-8825-d4dd12e58281"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94724","id":"94724","resource":"node","uuid":"f7bd5dc1-2b3c-427a-a026-25d1a9dc22c1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94725","id":"94725","resource":"node","uuid":"2773d67d-2f13-40c6-83d6-dca7632c2758"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94726","id":"94726","resource":"node","uuid":"b41d8523-8270-4b5c-a3eb-9cd73cc0a9f5"}],"field_question":"What can I do if my partner isn't following our court order?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95478","id":"95478","resource":"node","uuid":"3e72d469-e423-4273-98ba-3744a9e5b4cc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95487","id":"95487","resource":"node","uuid":"b6a3c850-901d-4527-b1eb-e58edba356de"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95503","id":"95503","resource":"node","uuid":"e0508a88-4a4a-4dc6-820e-46eef8f974f1"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76575","id":"76575","resource":"node","uuid":"935be251-4af4-45a6-aa5b-751de2e51f5d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93308","id":"93308","resource":"node","uuid":"00bd72c8-a1c4-41ce-9419-4a8d7a251a29"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92238","id":"92238","resource":"node","uuid":"5414a8cb-f52d-4aeb-bcb6-be25a3fbef35"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95459","vid":"48892","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What can I do if my partner isn't following our court order?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-can-i-do-if-my-partner-isnt-following-our-court-order","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95459\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1511364853","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95459","id":"95459","resource":"node","uuid":"6e96a73a-1dd1-4f35-a3ba-a03a40638175"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"6e96a73a-1dd1-4f35-a3ba-a03a40638175","vuuid":"eb3dee02-4925-411e-b76e-297ee8486b44","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" You or your partner may want or need to change your court order because of changes to your situation. For example:<\/p>\n It can be difficult to get along with your partner. Small issues can build up and make you want to change your court order. Think carefully about what issues you want to take to court.<\/p>\n For example, it is best not to go to court for things like who has to wash your child's clothes after access visits or because your partner isn't always on time. Try to find another way to resolve these issues that can save you time and money.<\/p>\n You should first see what your court order says you have to do if one of you doesn't follow it. For example, it might say that you have to try mediation to work out your issues before going to court. Even if your court order doesn\u2019t say this, you may want to get help from a family law professional.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94727","id":"94727","resource":"node","uuid":"59b81203-3afc-48e5-826a-8323eb98a046"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94728","id":"94728","resource":"node","uuid":"c423c729-6ad6-4259-9390-db62f42d98b2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94729","id":"94729","resource":"node","uuid":"efdbddc1-2fad-4fe5-a351-21ad2032b075"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94730","id":"94730","resource":"node","uuid":"9e35476f-f7e0-4443-9d89-cbb13b8a1da0"}],"field_question":"How do I change my court order?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95489","id":"95489","resource":"node","uuid":"928be282-79c3-4eea-827b-fe11aa45a752"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95505","id":"95505","resource":"node","uuid":"4924256f-2e10-44ae-9975-813924a9479b"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76575","id":"76575","resource":"node","uuid":"935be251-4af4-45a6-aa5b-751de2e51f5d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93308","id":"93308","resource":"node","uuid":"00bd72c8-a1c4-41ce-9419-4a8d7a251a29"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92238","id":"92238","resource":"node","uuid":"5414a8cb-f52d-4aeb-bcb6-be25a3fbef35"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95460","vid":"48886","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"How do I change my court order?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/how-do-i-change-my-court-order","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95460\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1511364761","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95460","id":"95460","resource":"node","uuid":"fc06eb9f-ceb3-41e7-8071-8ab2aa1341d9"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"fc06eb9f-ceb3-41e7-8071-8ab2aa1341d9","vuuid":"e5287a53-a2bb-4574-b9ba-1a2cce4bf42b","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" To get a divorce, one of the things you have to give the court is your original marriage certificate.<\/p>\n You may also need your marriage certificate to:<\/p>\n A marriage certificate is a document that proves that you and your partner are legally married. It has basic information such as your names, date and place of marriage.<\/p>\n A marriage certificate is not the same as a marriage licence. You apply for a marriage license before<\/strong> you get married. And, you apply for a marriage certificate after<\/strong> you get married.<\/p>\n If you lost your marriage certificate, or cannot find it, the Next Steps explain how you can get another one, or what to do if you cannot get one.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94731","id":"94731","resource":"node","uuid":"a4698cbe-1ca5-434c-b1cc-c0726b9a6ea8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94732","id":"94732","resource":"node","uuid":"fcfa5595-1190-4594-b0d0-c5a8ad3c56a8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94733","id":"94733","resource":"node","uuid":"3237ac25-6dcd-4c1e-a44c-341437fbfc22"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94734","id":"94734","resource":"node","uuid":"0702a8ab-0fde-4bb3-b190-d0692d44b042"}],"field_question":"I lost my marriage certificate. How do I get another one?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/884","id":"884","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"ebfa7785-d2f6-48d5-92b2-fc2a5d5ab86d"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95450","id":"95450","resource":"node","uuid":"6169f40b-454e-4a54-96b6-6acd1cf10f6b"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95451","id":"95451","resource":"node","uuid":"20a9d7f5-ce0e-4345-9b2a-0a24c00112c3"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95452","id":"95452","resource":"node","uuid":"83ad4db5-d085-4b70-91dc-15cd03290ca6"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/74081","id":"74081","resource":"node","uuid":"2f626689-e84e-4f08-9f88-483b6e348817"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/73968","id":"73968","resource":"node","uuid":"0dc1f72c-a2b1-4fc9-b49f-76523f71033c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94153","id":"94153","resource":"node","uuid":"5824d679-3bde-4857-9192-bac1341a8e8d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76518","id":"76518","resource":"node","uuid":"62b7da95-ef34-479e-8140-b1a976e6819f"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1501473600","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95461","vid":"48326","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"I lost my marriage certificate. How do I get another one?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/i-lost-my-marriage-certificate-how-do-i-get-another-one","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95461\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510847272","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95461","id":"95461","resource":"node","uuid":"568137b9-4daf-4d2c-a3c6-590636e8c9d2"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"568137b9-4daf-4d2c-a3c6-590636e8c9d2","vuuid":"e1bb9946-8aee-4c82-b1f9-4780e8757c2c","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" Child custody means having the legal right to make major decisions about how to care for and raise your child. Custody is not<\/strong><\/strong> about who your child lives with or how much time your child spends with each of you.<\/p>\n For example, even if you have custody and are the only one who can make decisions about your child, your child might live equal amounts of time with you and your partner. Or, your child might live mainly with you, but you and your partner have joint custody and share decision-making.<\/p>\n The parent with custody has the right to make important decisions about:<\/p>\n There are different kinds of custody arrangements that say who can make these kinds of major decisions. The most common are joint custody and sole custody.<\/p>\n Joint custody<\/strong> means that both parents together make these major decisions about their child's life.<\/p>\n Sole custody<\/strong> means that one parent makes these major decisions about their child's life and the other parent is told about the decision that was made.<\/p>\n In some cases, other people might get custody, such as a step-parent, grandparent, or other relative. Or, it could be someone outside the family who has a close relationship with the child.<\/p>\n If you and your partner agree on custody arrangements, you can put what you've agreed on in an agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you can't agree<\/a>, you can ask a family law professional like a mediator to help you work out an agreement. Or, you can go to court and ask a judge to decide. The judge uses a legal test called the best interests of the child to make decisions about custody, access, and parenting.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94735","id":"94735","resource":"node","uuid":"44434a3f-12c2-41fd-a691-d4cb7cdab684"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94736","id":"94736","resource":"node","uuid":"fd76cf31-87de-447c-bd6d-38940e3eb39d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94737","id":"94737","resource":"node","uuid":"a11507ef-bfe1-47aa-8d4e-099b90b96f2c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94739","id":"94739","resource":"node","uuid":"1da3645f-250c-4b8d-9696-f690b5b4e08d"}],"field_question":"What is custody and who gets custody?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95464","id":"95464","resource":"node","uuid":"79c782ba-342c-4ca1-b654-d3ab2d8c545a"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95471","id":"95471","resource":"node","uuid":"85b2d0a1-9ea3-4d94-aabb-0b7d9413b86f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95473","id":"95473","resource":"node","uuid":"c0a56b31-61c8-459e-aaf4-46cbf665f3f2"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95462","vid":"48366","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What is custody and who gets custody?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-custody-and-who-gets-custody","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95462\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510847863","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95462","id":"95462","resource":"node","uuid":"b5b6ccbe-9cbe-4dcd-bada-d1e6f00464f4"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"b5b6ccbe-9cbe-4dcd-bada-d1e6f00464f4","vuuid":"df222e53-3460-4487-b162-c4b203c9bd39","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" You and your partner have to decide who your child lives with after you separate or divorce. This is called deciding your child's residence.<\/p>\n Deciding your child\u2019s residence is different from custody. Custody means having the legal right to make important decisions<\/a> about how to care for and raise your child. Custody is not<\/strong><\/strong> about who your child lives with.<\/p>\n For example, even if you have custody and are the only one who can make decisions about your child, your child might live equal amounts of time with you and your partner. Or, your child might live mainly with you, but you and your partner have joint custody and share decision-making.<\/p>\n Wherever a child lives most of the time is called their primary residence. If a parent has sole custody, that parent's home is usually the child's primary residence. And the other parent usually has access.<\/p>\n Shared residence is when a child lives mostly equal amounts of time with each parent. One home may still be considered the primary residence with the other being the secondary residence.<\/p>\n If you and your partner agree on where your child lives, you can put what you agree on in an agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you can't agree<\/a>, you can ask a family law professional like a mediator to help you work out an agreement. Or, you can go to court and ask a judge to decide.<\/p>\n The judge uses a legal test called the best interests of the child to decide where your child lives. Judges usually assume it is better for a child to have a relationship with each of their parents after separation or divorce.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94740","id":"94740","resource":"node","uuid":"2d297ae3-f7cd-44e8-bd8a-5db2e7a182c5"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94741","id":"94741","resource":"node","uuid":"ba5edc42-006f-48bf-8f52-ed408b3f5931"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94742","id":"94742","resource":"node","uuid":"77e72e5a-b697-4c7f-84a0-1b413c6ccc0c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94744","id":"94744","resource":"node","uuid":"e88ff438-43a3-4e4e-9594-e21fa08e9a70"}],"field_question":"Who will my child live with?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95462","id":"95462","resource":"node","uuid":"b5b6ccbe-9cbe-4dcd-bada-d1e6f00464f4"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95473","id":"95473","resource":"node","uuid":"c0a56b31-61c8-459e-aaf4-46cbf665f3f2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95471","id":"95471","resource":"node","uuid":"85b2d0a1-9ea3-4d94-aabb-0b7d9413b86f"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93910","id":"93910","resource":"node","uuid":"60cc89a9-9cb5-495d-b172-664c648dec36"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95463","vid":"50185","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"Who will my child live with?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/who-will-my-child-live","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95463\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1513193429","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95463","id":"95463","resource":"node","uuid":"88c16f90-bdd7-426e-946a-a6e9bd589b8f"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"88c16f90-bdd7-426e-946a-a6e9bd589b8f","vuuid":"1c58351f-aaf8-41e5-b462-33acdeb5dc4c","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" Generally, it's best for your child to spend time with you and your partner after you separate or divorce. This doesn't mean your child has to spend an equal amount of time with both of you. But it should be enough time to allow your child to have a meaningful relationship with both of you.<\/p>\n If your child lives mainly with you, your child's primary residence is with you, and your partner usually has access.<\/p>\n Access is the time a parent spends with a child they usually don't live with. Access can be on a fixed schedule, such as every other weekend, or on a flexible schedule, such as whenever the parents agree.<\/p>\n Access can be supervised or unsupervised. If you have supervised access, this means there is someone watching while the access parent visits with their child.<\/p>\n Access includes the right to get information on the child's health, education, and well-being. But for some information, such as hospital records, the parent with custody<\/a> may need to give their written permission first.<\/p>\n In some cases, other people might get access, such as a step-parent, grandparent, or other relative. Or, it could be someone outside the family who has a close relationship with the child.<\/p>\n If you and your partner agree on custody and access arrangements, you can put what you've agreed on in an agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you can't agree<\/a>, you can ask a family law professional like a mediator to help you work out an agreement. Or, you can go to court and ask a judge to decide.<\/p>\n The judge uses a legal test called the best interests of the child to make decisions about custody, access, and parenting. Judges usually assume it's better for a child to have a relationship with both parents after they separate or divorce.<\/p>\n The right to child support and access are two different issues. They are both rights of the child. A parent cannot be denied access to their child because they do not pay child support. And a parent who does not have access may still have to pay child support.<\/p>\n You can only refuse to allow access in limited situations, such as if you're afraid for your child's safety. You may have to call your local children's aid society if you believe your child is being abused by your partner or someone in their home. If you're in this situation, get help right away.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94745","id":"94745","resource":"node","uuid":"1bbda9be-e255-4d4a-9eee-689257628f0b"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94746","id":"94746","resource":"node","uuid":"22a7e05a-7678-49a2-ac7c-4c121198548b"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94747","id":"94747","resource":"node","uuid":"524887e7-8935-4eb8-b35a-0c424a3978af"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94749","id":"94749","resource":"node","uuid":"98162e3f-5a50-40f8-a0c1-324a02591bd1"}],"field_question":"Who can get access to and spend time with my child?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95462","id":"95462","resource":"node","uuid":"b5b6ccbe-9cbe-4dcd-bada-d1e6f00464f4"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95473","id":"95473","resource":"node","uuid":"c0a56b31-61c8-459e-aaf4-46cbf665f3f2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95471","id":"95471","resource":"node","uuid":"85b2d0a1-9ea3-4d94-aabb-0b7d9413b86f"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93933","id":"93933","resource":"node","uuid":"79fe7822-d999-4bf2-b1fc-6a7710417086"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95464","vid":"48372","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"Who can get access to and spend time with my child?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/who-can-get-access-and-spend-time-my-child","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95464\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510847902","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95464","id":"95464","resource":"node","uuid":"79c782ba-342c-4ca1-b654-d3ab2d8c545a"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"79c782ba-342c-4ca1-b654-d3ab2d8c545a","vuuid":"0394358c-9f3f-49fd-8566-bd72727e5dcf","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" Grandparents usually see their grandchildren when they are with the children\u2019s parents. But sometimes grandparents may want to apply to the court for custody or access. They may do this:<\/p>\n Grandparents have a legal right to apply to the court to ask for custody or access to their grandchildren.<\/p>\n The judge uses a legal test called the best interests of the child to decide who spends time with your child and for how long. In Ontario, the best interests of the child test includes looking at the relationship between the grandparents and the child.<\/p>\n The judge also looks at the reasons you don\u2019t want the grandparents to have access and whether:<\/p>\n If you and your child's grandparents don't agree on access, it's important to keep your child out of the conflict. Just because you don't like the grandparents \u2013 whether they are your parents or your partner's parents \u2013 it doesn't mean your child shouldn\u2019t see them. And never speak badly or negatively about the grandparents in front of your child.<\/p>\n If your child has a good relationship with their grandparents, it's usually in their best interests to continue that relationship.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94750","id":"94750","resource":"node","uuid":"e9b7e101-1cc1-4ed6-a1a5-f583811f32bb"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94751","id":"94751","resource":"node","uuid":"a39d9f0e-706e-426d-a014-66f5addeaa81"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94752","id":"94752","resource":"node","uuid":"e4d23209-fdc5-443d-9832-24f1fc9bf6fe"}],"field_question":"Do grandparents have access rights to my child?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95464","id":"95464","resource":"node","uuid":"79c782ba-342c-4ca1-b654-d3ab2d8c545a"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95462","id":"95462","resource":"node","uuid":"b5b6ccbe-9cbe-4dcd-bada-d1e6f00464f4"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95512","id":"95512","resource":"node","uuid":"efff1f87-1e69-4f92-96a7-72550e1cf814"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1512018000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":"Unpublished by Fara as the legislation changed and it requires review. Fiona will unpublish the steps.","field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95465","vid":"50357","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"Do grandparents have access rights to my child?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/do-grandparents-have-access-rights-my-child","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95465\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1513609625","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95465","id":"95465","resource":"node","uuid":"2233bb4c-9498-44df-9b4b-6b7ff0d25099"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"2233bb4c-9498-44df-9b4b-6b7ff0d25099","vuuid":"7679b9ab-6566-4d29-92f0-7adfddbeb911","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" Until there is an agreement or court order about custody and access, you and your partner cannot make any major decisions about your child without the other's approval. This includes where your child lives.<\/p>\n If you send your child to live in another province or country with extended family while you decide on custody and access without your partner's agreement or a court order, your partner may call the police.<\/p>\n If your partner agrees to your child living in another province or country while you decide on custody and access, you can put what you've agreed on in an agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you think your child should live in another province or country while you decide on custody and access and your partner disagrees, you have to go to court and ask a judge for permission.<\/p>\n The judge uses a legal test called the best interests of the child to decide where your child lives. You need to convince the judge why it\u2019s in your child's best interests to be sent somewhere else to live while you and your partner work out your issues.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94753","id":"94753","resource":"node","uuid":"79f4bd6e-47b6-4053-98a7-666be4d03a49"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94754","id":"94754","resource":"node","uuid":"ab971c55-5a2f-46c1-9b9e-420b6f7a3750"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94755","id":"94755","resource":"node","uuid":"fd3187b5-a298-4d3e-87c2-d1299c6a5f2e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94756","id":"94756","resource":"node","uuid":"a34b327f-17cb-403e-92ab-0595d049e77f"}],"field_question":"Can I send my child to another province or country to stay with family before custody and access is decided?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95462","id":"95462","resource":"node","uuid":"b5b6ccbe-9cbe-4dcd-bada-d1e6f00464f4"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95464","id":"95464","resource":"node","uuid":"79c782ba-342c-4ca1-b654-d3ab2d8c545a"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95472","id":"95472","resource":"node","uuid":"c59992ac-3029-4945-82f2-7ed804782388"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86865","id":"86865","resource":"node","uuid":"7a95abba-0dca-4af0-901c-4bd034daef11"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86865","id":"86865","resource":"node","uuid":"7a95abba-0dca-4af0-901c-4bd034daef11"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95466","vid":"48386","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"Can I send my child to another province or country to stay with family before custody and access is decided?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/can-i-send-my-child-another-province-or-country-stay-family-custody-and-access-","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95466\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510848015","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95466","id":"95466","resource":"node","uuid":"df51f46b-d548-46e0-962b-8a948e4f2519"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"df51f46b-d548-46e0-962b-8a948e4f2519","vuuid":"19157237-c651-4284-8d6f-4d6e0c140dea","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" Generally a child cannot decide which parent they want to live with.<\/p>\n But as a child gets closer to the age of majority, which is 18 years old in Ontario, they have more say about where and with whom they live. And it is rare for a court to make a custody and access order about a child who is 16 years old or older.<\/p>\n It's important never to pressure or try to convince your child to live with you. Children should be kept out of the conflict between the adults as much as possible.<\/p>\n There are times, however, when a child has very strong views of their own about who they want to live with. If your child is older and emotionally mature and able to give their views and wishes freely, you can talk to them about their choices.<\/p>\n If you go to court, the judge uses a legal test called the best interests of the child to make decisions about custody, access, and parenting arrangements.<\/p>\n One of the things the judge can look at is the views and wishes of the child. Usually, the older and more emotionally mature the child is, the more the child's wishes are taken into account.<\/p>\n If the judge needs the testimony of the child or evidence of the child's views and wishes to help them decide, the judge can:<\/p>\n It's not unusual for a child to say they don't want to visit the other parent.<\/p>\n If you have an agreement or court order that says your partner has access rights, your child must usually go on the visit. This may apply even if your child is not feeling well or has an activity on that day.<\/p>\n It's part of your job as a parent to make sure that you support your child's relationship with your partner, no matter how you feel about them. You should encourage your child to visit with your partner and to have a good relationship with them.<\/p>\n Talk to your child about what's bothering them and why they don't want to go on the visit. When talking to your child about their concerns, be careful to listen to your child. Don't impose your own views or feelings about your partner. It's important to keep your child out of any conflict you and your partner are having.<\/p>\n There can be different reasons why your child doesn't want to visit and it's important to understand why they don't want to go. Once you know your child's reasons for not wanting to go, then you may know what to do to help them.<\/p>\n You can only refuse to allow access in limited situations, such as if you're afraid for your child's safety. You may have to call your local children's aid society if you believe your child is being abused by your partner or someone in their home.<\/p>\n You may also want to go to court to stop your partner from having access or to limit their access. If you're in this situation, get help right away.<\/p>\n You can talk to a lawyer<\/a> who can tell you what steps to take to keep your children safe. If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, you may be able to find legal help<\/a> in other places.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94761","id":"94761","resource":"node","uuid":"4291de01-f24b-4bf5-95e8-15274d2b9560"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94762","id":"94762","resource":"node","uuid":"896c9a22-f631-4b0e-a0af-0f840337d90b"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94763","id":"94763","resource":"node","uuid":"46a92fbe-8d56-4b58-bd1a-8b2256b4380b"}],"field_question":"My child doesn't want to visit my partner. What should I do?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95476","id":"95476","resource":"node","uuid":"eae1d7ee-22ed-487d-bb15-e26e8ae32647"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95474","id":"95474","resource":"node","uuid":"63907c66-1e07-4877-93f1-9b52697c3f59"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95475","id":"95475","resource":"node","uuid":"9d30a4ed-aabe-4fda-b82b-7e8cfbc9bb91"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93930","id":"93930","resource":"node","uuid":"d5349a52-aeb1-498e-a73a-52480ed04d4a"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93910","id":"93910","resource":"node","uuid":"60cc89a9-9cb5-495d-b172-664c648dec36"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93907","id":"93907","resource":"node","uuid":"b9e094ea-4938-4a7e-846c-99b9ff6a1189"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93910","id":"93910","resource":"node","uuid":"60cc89a9-9cb5-495d-b172-664c648dec36"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93907","id":"93907","resource":"node","uuid":"b9e094ea-4938-4a7e-846c-99b9ff6a1189"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95468","vid":"48390","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"My child doesn't want to visit my partner. What should I do?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/my-child-does-not-want-to-visit-my-partner-what-should-i-do","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95468\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510848044","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95468","id":"95468","resource":"node","uuid":"31ff05de-2d65-42fd-ae0a-971d377bf13a"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"31ff05de-2d65-42fd-ae0a-971d377bf13a","vuuid":"0aa99044-4942-46a5-95ca-c98bc2be7c83","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" It's hard to know what you may be asked when travelling to another country. Officials in Canada or in the other country you are going to can ask you for documents to prove you can travel with your child. These officials can decide whether to let you in or out of the country.<\/p>\n To avoid delays or being refused entry or exit at the border, it's safest to have a travel consent letter signed by the other parent.<\/p>\n Even if you have sole custody, you may still be required to show that you have permission of your partner or anyone else that has access to your child, to travel with your child.<\/p>\n The only time you can travel freely with your child is if you have a parenting plan, separation agreement or court order that says you don't need your partner's permission to travel with your child. It's important to carry a copy of your agreement or court order with you to prove that you don't need anyone's permission.<\/p>\n You should check your agreement or court order to see if you need the other parent's permission and if you need to provide the other parent with information about your travel plans, such as your flight details and emergency contact numbers.<\/p>\n If your partner won't agree to let you travel with your child, you may have to go to court and ask for permission to travel.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94764","id":"94764","resource":"node","uuid":"2464122d-54e5-4078-9f05-34042f48000c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94765","id":"94765","resource":"node","uuid":"3b39508a-39bc-423b-9c3f-29909f3a167c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94766","id":"94766","resource":"node","uuid":"94ddde55-9f6b-4a5a-99a0-9d48812a03e9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94767","id":"94767","resource":"node","uuid":"897a7b12-b34f-448b-9125-f6601b75694e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94768","id":"94768","resource":"node","uuid":"5bdda093-e180-45f1-9311-028a5598a31e"}],"field_question":"Can I travel with my child after I separate or divorce?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95462","id":"95462","resource":"node","uuid":"b5b6ccbe-9cbe-4dcd-bada-d1e6f00464f4"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95470","id":"95470","resource":"node","uuid":"9e97464b-134f-4853-9230-cdaebc6619ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95476","id":"95476","resource":"node","uuid":"eae1d7ee-22ed-487d-bb15-e26e8ae32647"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93930","id":"93930","resource":"node","uuid":"d5349a52-aeb1-498e-a73a-52480ed04d4a"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93910","id":"93910","resource":"node","uuid":"60cc89a9-9cb5-495d-b172-664c648dec36"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93907","id":"93907","resource":"node","uuid":"b9e094ea-4938-4a7e-846c-99b9ff6a1189"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93910","id":"93910","resource":"node","uuid":"60cc89a9-9cb5-495d-b172-664c648dec36"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93907","id":"93907","resource":"node","uuid":"b9e094ea-4938-4a7e-846c-99b9ff6a1189"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95469","vid":"48378","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"Can I travel with my child after I separate or divorce?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/can-i-travel-my-child-after-i-separate-or-divorce","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95469\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510847943","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95469","id":"95469","resource":"node","uuid":"11e7ccf1-9fd6-4977-8b2d-76c88128e120"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"11e7ccf1-9fd6-4977-8b2d-76c88128e120","vuuid":"4ae6e315-3fc1-4e6f-8946-4ea2e25d3571","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" There are many reasons why you may want to move with your child, like:<\/p>\n Whether you can move with your child or not, depends on:<\/p>\n You can usually move without<\/strong> your partner's permission if the move doesn't change your child's school, child care arrangements, or the time your child spends with your partner or anyone with access. This means you usually can't move very far from where you now live.<\/p>\n But you need permission from your partner or anyone with access, or a court order if your move:<\/p>\n You can talk to a lawyer<\/a> who can help you understand what the law says about custody and access and what you need to do if you want to move.<\/p>\n If you can't afford to hire a lawyer for your whole case, some lawyers provide \"unbundled\" or \"limited scope\" services<\/a>. This means you pay them to help you with part of your case.<\/p>\n If you can't afford to hire a lawyer at all, you may be able to find legal help<\/a> in other places.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94769","id":"94769","resource":"node","uuid":"b048456f-65a9-44e6-8c67-5a9372c45a39"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94770","id":"94770","resource":"node","uuid":"c74a7c20-4db0-492a-b75c-96bf83aa3d8e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94772","id":"94772","resource":"node","uuid":"69dabf42-498a-4163-badf-cf79ea3d5273"}],"field_question":"Can I move with my child after separation or divorce?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95462","id":"95462","resource":"node","uuid":"b5b6ccbe-9cbe-4dcd-bada-d1e6f00464f4"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95464","id":"95464","resource":"node","uuid":"79c782ba-342c-4ca1-b654-d3ab2d8c545a"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95467","id":"95467","resource":"node","uuid":"fe2c7861-766e-425d-86af-976886383054"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93930","id":"93930","resource":"node","uuid":"d5349a52-aeb1-498e-a73a-52480ed04d4a"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93910","id":"93910","resource":"node","uuid":"60cc89a9-9cb5-495d-b172-664c648dec36"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93907","id":"93907","resource":"node","uuid":"b9e094ea-4938-4a7e-846c-99b9ff6a1189"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95470","vid":"48376","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"Can I move with my child after separation or divorce?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/can-i-move-my-child-after-separation-or-divorce","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95470\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510847937","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95470","id":"95470","resource":"node","uuid":"9e97464b-134f-4853-9230-cdaebc6619ca"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"9e97464b-134f-4853-9230-cdaebc6619ca","vuuid":"e8a0ffd1-114e-4a2c-bac5-df30327e3377","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" An assessment is a report prepared by an expert, called an assessor, to help you and your partner and the court make decisions about custody, access, and parenting arrangements. Custody and access assessors can be psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, or mental health professionals.<\/p>\n An assessment gives the judge independent evidence about your child's wishes or what is in the best interests of the child.<\/p>\n There may be one where:<\/p>\n A judge generally orders an assessment only where it is necessary to help them make decisions about custody, access, and parenting arrangements.<\/p>\n An assessment can be done before or during a court case.<\/p>\n You and your partner can hire a private assessor<\/a>. The court can also order you to get a private assessment done.<\/p>\n An assessment can be very expensive. You have to pay for a private assessment. You can pay for it yourself or you and your partner can share the cost.<\/p>\n The assessor speaks with you, your partner, your child, and other important adults in your child's life such as teachers, doctors, new partners, and relatives. They observe how your child interacts with you and your partner. They put all this information into a report and make a recommendation on what they think is best for your child.<\/p>\n This report can be used as evidence in your court case.<\/p>\n The Office of the Children's Lawyer<\/a> (OCL) is a government-funded office that represents children under the age of 18 in some court cases dealing with custody and access.<\/p>\n The OCL has clinicians and lawyers across Ontario. OCL clinicians prepare custody and access reports and OCL lawyers represent children in court.<\/p>\n The OCL must agree to take your case. They only get involved after you start a court case. You do not pay for these services.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94773","id":"94773","resource":"node","uuid":"3a75cbda-1641-42d2-bd8e-5ba49e35e0f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94774","id":"94774","resource":"node","uuid":"b1016683-ffce-4b69-b37f-80f62a020f8f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94775","id":"94775","resource":"node","uuid":"0b3f1531-eff3-4e96-9eef-66c389f42087"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94776","id":"94776","resource":"node","uuid":"aa473b09-ebee-4f80-b378-6b5534b5f80f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94777","id":"94777","resource":"node","uuid":"f6d2e72e-f401-43e2-a0bb-9888d97e2300"}],"field_question":"What is a child custody and access assessment? Why would I want one? ","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95467","id":"95467","resource":"node","uuid":"fe2c7861-766e-425d-86af-976886383054"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95476","id":"95476","resource":"node","uuid":"eae1d7ee-22ed-487d-bb15-e26e8ae32647"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95464","id":"95464","resource":"node","uuid":"79c782ba-342c-4ca1-b654-d3ab2d8c545a"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93900","id":"93900","resource":"node","uuid":"efc75351-e4a7-4183-9127-d061eba06b9c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93916","id":"93916","resource":"node","uuid":"e69ece09-2391-4607-9be2-80a7b25a2132"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93910","id":"93910","resource":"node","uuid":"60cc89a9-9cb5-495d-b172-664c648dec36"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95471","vid":"59861","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What is a child custody and access assessment? Why would I want one?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-child-custody-and-access-assessment-why-would-i-want-one","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95471\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1528471122","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95471","id":"95471","resource":"node","uuid":"85b2d0a1-9ea3-4d94-aabb-0b7d9413b86f"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"85b2d0a1-9ea3-4d94-aabb-0b7d9413b86f","vuuid":"7b2f213d-2fae-4f98-80a1-693f1424f5dc","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" If you and your partner agree on child custody, access, and parenting arrangements, you can put what you've agreed on in a parenting plan or separation agreement. This is a written contract that you and your partner make.<\/p>\n Your agreement can deal with custody and access alone, or can include other things like child support, spousal support, and dividing property.<\/p>\n You don't have to wait until you and your partner agree on everything before making a separation agreement. You can make an agreement on the things you agree on, while working on other issues.<\/p>\n You can make an agreement if you're married or in a common-law relationship.<\/p>\n There are some good reasons to make an agreement:<\/p>\n You can talk to a lawyer<\/a> who can give you advice about the rules your agreement needs to follow to make it legal. If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, you may be able to find legal help<\/a> in other places.<\/p>\n Legal Aid Ontario<\/a> (LAO) has a service to help people with separation agreements. If your income is low enough<\/a>, LAO covers the cost of up to 10 hours with a family lawyer to help you negotiate and draft a separation agreement.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94778","id":"94778","resource":"node","uuid":"fdbf2e32-e078-4cd7-9391-bab908db7ce4"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94779","id":"94779","resource":"node","uuid":"e4edaedb-5385-42e1-a948-7842714b660f"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94780","id":"94780","resource":"node","uuid":"14de1d58-c2bb-4eb6-ae4a-920c9e0f12ab"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94781","id":"94781","resource":"node","uuid":"a409d40e-135d-4382-8dae-b1a0b2e884a8"}],"field_question":"What if we agree on what happens with our child?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95467","id":"95467","resource":"node","uuid":"fe2c7861-766e-425d-86af-976886383054"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95476","id":"95476","resource":"node","uuid":"eae1d7ee-22ed-487d-bb15-e26e8ae32647"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95464","id":"95464","resource":"node","uuid":"79c782ba-342c-4ca1-b654-d3ab2d8c545a"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95682","id":"95682","resource":"node","uuid":"7537f6e0-f5e4-45f0-9285-c80e87f44ae8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95681","id":"95681","resource":"node","uuid":"a22d3795-a571-423a-8160-381c3e70b0ad"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/96350","id":"96350","resource":"node","uuid":"74e6da58-8dde-45c4-93be-11813d7d3565"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86865","id":"86865","resource":"node","uuid":"7a95abba-0dca-4af0-901c-4bd034daef11"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/89774","id":"89774","resource":"node","uuid":"35125559-0ee5-4eda-8d65-f7e7ce110df0"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/89774","id":"89774","resource":"node","uuid":"35125559-0ee5-4eda-8d65-f7e7ce110df0"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95472","vid":"48384","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What if we agree on what happens with our child?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-if-we-agree-what-happens-our-child","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95472\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510847967","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95472","id":"95472","resource":"node","uuid":"c59992ac-3029-4945-82f2-7ed804782388"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"c59992ac-3029-4945-82f2-7ed804782388","vuuid":"5c8e9594-4c17-425c-a1ad-1430d0ea15f9","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" If you and your partner cannot agree on custody, access, and parenting arrangements, with or without the help of lawyers, you have two options. You can ask a family law professional to help you resolve your issues. Or, you can go to court and ask a judge to decide.<\/p>\n There are different types of family law professionals who can help you and your partner resolve your issues. These are neutral people who are trained to work with both of you to help you reach an agreement or make a decision for you.<\/p>\n These processes are sometimes called alternative dispute resolution because they help solve your issues without going to court.<\/p>\n If you and your partner still cannot agree even with the help of a family law professional, or if this is not the right option for you, one of you will have to start a family law court case.<\/p>\n A family court makes decisions using the family law rules<\/a> and laws. Going to court can be a complicated process and it can take a lot of time. It can be stressful and expensive, but it is sometimes necessary to decide your issues.<\/p>\n You don't have to stick with one of these options. Sometimes you can use both or switch from one to the other.<\/p>\n For example, you and your partner might not be able to solve your case with the help of a family law professional, so you decide to go to court.<\/p>\n Or you might start a court case first, but then you and your partner agree to pause your case while you try to reach an agreement with the help of a family law professional.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94782","id":"94782","resource":"node","uuid":"8b3657d9-11ec-4749-9955-d0f4c03c9d51"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94783","id":"94783","resource":"node","uuid":"cacef036-bf60-4ade-9655-012e4f3e152b"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94784","id":"94784","resource":"node","uuid":"249e7f66-98b6-4bfa-9faf-158c63deb780"}],"field_question":"What if we can't agree on what happens with our child?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95462","id":"95462","resource":"node","uuid":"b5b6ccbe-9cbe-4dcd-bada-d1e6f00464f4"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95464","id":"95464","resource":"node","uuid":"79c782ba-342c-4ca1-b654-d3ab2d8c545a"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95476","id":"95476","resource":"node","uuid":"eae1d7ee-22ed-487d-bb15-e26e8ae32647"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95682","id":"95682","resource":"node","uuid":"7537f6e0-f5e4-45f0-9285-c80e87f44ae8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95681","id":"95681","resource":"node","uuid":"a22d3795-a571-423a-8160-381c3e70b0ad"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/96350","id":"96350","resource":"node","uuid":"74e6da58-8dde-45c4-93be-11813d7d3565"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86865","id":"86865","resource":"node","uuid":"7a95abba-0dca-4af0-901c-4bd034daef11"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86865","id":"86865","resource":"node","uuid":"7a95abba-0dca-4af0-901c-4bd034daef11"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95473","vid":"48382","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What if we can't agree on what happens with our child?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-if-we-cant-agree-what-happens-our-child","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95473\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510847958","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95473","id":"95473","resource":"node","uuid":"c0a56b31-61c8-459e-aaf4-46cbf665f3f2"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"c0a56b31-61c8-459e-aaf4-46cbf665f3f2","vuuid":"3134f75e-1924-4aac-861a-c86718cd1eda","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" You or your partner may want or need to change your parenting plan or separation agreement because of changes to your situation. For example:<\/p>\n It can be difficult to get along with your partner. Small issues can build up and make you want to change your separation agreement. Think carefully about what issues you want to take to court.<\/p>\n For example, it's best not to go to court for things like who has to wash your child's clothes after access visits or because your partner isn't always on time. Try to find another way to resolve these issues that can save you time and money.<\/p>\n You should first see what your separation agreement says you have to do if one of you wants to change it. For example, it might say that you have to try mediation before going to court. Even if your agreement doesn't say this, you might want to try an alternative dispute resolution process before going to court.<\/p>\n Agreements about custody, access, and parenting can't be changed by a court. But, if you and your partner can't agree on how to change it, you can start a family law court case<\/a> to have a judge make decisions about custody, access, and parenting arrangements.<\/p>\n The judge looks at your agreement and the best interests of the child test to make decisions about your child.<\/p>\n You have to follow your agreement, until it is changed.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94785","id":"94785","resource":"node","uuid":"e30ac99e-a39c-4c15-aad2-e68b45fc42ee"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94786","id":"94786","resource":"node","uuid":"1aca8bb4-8412-4077-8f78-788dcc1af23e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94787","id":"94787","resource":"node","uuid":"af5d5db6-005e-4dd4-a8dd-3d553ea28e9e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94788","id":"94788","resource":"node","uuid":"24f84575-e479-490e-b1ec-e3152e9e9570"}],"field_question":"How do I change custody, access, and parenting arrangements in my agreement?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95476","id":"95476","resource":"node","uuid":"eae1d7ee-22ed-487d-bb15-e26e8ae32647"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95472","id":"95472","resource":"node","uuid":"c59992ac-3029-4945-82f2-7ed804782388"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95477","id":"95477","resource":"node","uuid":"838e0dd2-e8c2-4ef2-a076-caf97f4df068"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86197","id":"86197","resource":"node","uuid":"1e6ba200-fa85-4072-b1d9-5efc3795ee50"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76575","id":"76575","resource":"node","uuid":"935be251-4af4-45a6-aa5b-751de2e51f5d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":"TH - 2018 07 03: Linked to the Question \"How to start a family law court case\" in the fifth paragraph of the Answer page.","field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95474","vid":"62920","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"How do I change custody, access, and parenting arrangements in my agreement?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/how-do-i-change-custody-access-and-parenting-arrangements-my-agreement","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95474\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1530629387","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95474","id":"95474","resource":"node","uuid":"63907c66-1e07-4877-93f1-9b52697c3f59"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"63907c66-1e07-4877-93f1-9b52697c3f59","vuuid":"3090d087-86ec-45f6-a693-d168da2a428e","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" You or your partner may want or need to change your final court order because of changes to your situation. For example:<\/p>\n It can be difficult to get along with your partner. Small issues can build up and make you want to change your court order. Think carefully about what issues you want to take to court.<\/p>\n For example, it's best not to go to court for things like who has to wash your child's clothes after access visits or because your partner isn't always on time. Try to find another way to resolve these issues that can save you time and money.<\/p>\n You should first see what your court order says you have to do if one of you wants to change it. For example, it might say that you have to try mediation before going to court. Even if your court order doesn't say this, you might want to try an alternative dispute resolution process before going to court.<\/p>\n If you and your partner cannot agree, you may have to go to court and bring a motion to change a custody or parenting order. You must show a material change in circumstances<\/strong>. This means you have to show that your situation has changed so much that your order needs to be changed to deal with those changes.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94789","id":"94789","resource":"node","uuid":"b6fb6159-c514-4c6b-b306-3704035a1812"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94790","id":"94790","resource":"node","uuid":"8f2ded17-3b4e-401f-8af7-f667561aec18"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94791","id":"94791","resource":"node","uuid":"968cd076-d0f0-410d-b193-ecf52f08db21"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94792","id":"94792","resource":"node","uuid":"34dc7feb-38f6-4fbe-a2dc-e26b37fcf8cf"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94793","id":"94793","resource":"node","uuid":"a032e7a1-2ab3-4f9f-9a54-ee6d47746689"}],"field_question":"What if I have a court order and I want to change it? ","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/892","id":"892","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"6d8cf015-e1e2-462b-850d-c5d4a69c81e3"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/969","id":"969","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"87010087-b267-4096-8e83-ba49a80f1c96"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95470","id":"95470","resource":"node","uuid":"9e97464b-134f-4853-9230-cdaebc6619ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95477","id":"95477","resource":"node","uuid":"838e0dd2-e8c2-4ef2-a076-caf97f4df068"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93308","id":"93308","resource":"node","uuid":"00bd72c8-a1c4-41ce-9419-4a8d7a251a29"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92235","id":"92235","resource":"node","uuid":"237f43e1-5762-4a9b-8308-50c7053470ca"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86865","id":"86865","resource":"node","uuid":"7a95abba-0dca-4af0-901c-4bd034daef11"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95475","vid":"68870","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What if I have a court order and I want to change it?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-if-i-have-court-order-and-i-want-change-it-0","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95475\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1540488515","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95475","id":"95475","resource":"node","uuid":"9d30a4ed-aabe-4fda-b82b-7e8cfbc9bb91"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"9d30a4ed-aabe-4fda-b82b-7e8cfbc9bb91","vuuid":"d3151399-15cf-40ed-947c-3c61cb472cc0","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" When parents separate or divorce, it's a stressful time for the entire family \u2013 for the parents and for the children.<\/p>\n Children can feel like they have no control over what is happening and that can make them worry.<\/p>\n Your child likely has lots of different feelings about your separation or divorce. They may feel sad, guilty, worried, confused, or angry.<\/p>\n You can do some things to make your child feel better. For example, never involve your child in legal matters or in your discussions with your partner. And never speak badly or negatively about your partner in front of your child.<\/p>\n Let your child know that the adults make all the decisions, but that you and your partner are always open to hearing their wishes, listening to their feelings, and answering questions.<\/p>\n If your child is older and emotionally mature, you can ask them what they want. If you think they are able to give their views and wishes freely, you can discuss their choices with them.<\/p>\n Encourage your child to talk to you, your partner, or any other person they feel comfortable with. You and your child may want to talk to a:<\/p>\n Even though you may have a custody and access schedule, a parenting plan, a separation agreement, or court order that says when your partner will spend time with your child, they may not always show up.<\/p>\n This can be very upsetting for your child and very frustrating for you. But you can't force your partner to spend time with your child.<\/p>\n It's important not to speak negatively about your partner in front of your child. You also want to make sure your child knows that your partner loves them. Your child may think they did something wrong which is why your partner isn't spending time with them. Let them know that this isn't true.<\/p>\n Keep track of all the missed visits and make notes with as much detail as possible. For example, record the date, time, and details of each visit missed. If it keeps happening, you may be able to get the arrangements changed.<\/p>\n The right to child support and access are two different issues. They are both rights of the child. A parent cannot be denied access to their child because they do not pay child support. And a parent who does not have access may still have to pay child support.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94798","id":"94798","resource":"node","uuid":"c3f1a24a-75c7-4379-afa5-b68b7ab44acd"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94799","id":"94799","resource":"node","uuid":"7f4deb38-dda3-4c07-a19d-42ddf16533c6"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94800","id":"94800","resource":"node","uuid":"4e917028-3754-40fa-b9de-f06ad758ccee"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94801","id":"94801","resource":"node","uuid":"c74acad1-f18b-4909-867c-fbe15db74f30"}],"field_question":"What can I do if my partner doesn't show up for access visits with our child?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95474","id":"95474","resource":"node","uuid":"63907c66-1e07-4877-93f1-9b52697c3f59"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95475","id":"95475","resource":"node","uuid":"9d30a4ed-aabe-4fda-b82b-7e8cfbc9bb91"}],"field_services":{"0":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},"1":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},"2":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},"3":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},"5":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}},"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93308","id":"93308","resource":"node","uuid":"00bd72c8-a1c4-41ce-9419-4a8d7a251a29"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":"7981218000","field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95477","vid":"48392","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What can I do if my partner doesn't show up for access visits with our child?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-can-i-do-if-my-partner-doesnt-show-access-visits-our-child","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95477\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510848052","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95477","id":"95477","resource":"node","uuid":"838e0dd2-e8c2-4ef2-a076-caf97f4df068"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"838e0dd2-e8c2-4ef2-a076-caf97f4df068","vuuid":"adcca2ff-de71-467e-8a95-119babc9f14f","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" Even though you may have a custody and access schedule, a parenting plan, a separation agreement, or court order that says when you spend time with your child, your partner may not let you see your child.<\/p>\n This can be very upsetting for your child and very frustrating for you.<\/p>\n Keep track of all the missed visits and make notes with as much detail as possible. For example, record the date, time, and details of each time you were not allowed to see your child. If it keeps happening, you may be able to get the arrangement changed.<\/p>\n But, there are times when your partner may have a good reason to stop your access visits. For example, if your partner thinks there is a real risk that your child will experience harm from family violence or you're under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the access visit.<\/p>\n Remember everyone has a duty to call their local children's aid society if they have reasonable grounds<\/strong> to suspect that a child under the age of 16 has been or is in danger of being harmed.<\/p>\n The right to child support and access are two different issues. They are both rights of the child. Your partner cannot stop you from seeing your child because you haven't paid child support.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94802","id":"94802","resource":"node","uuid":"1e36cb14-8eab-4065-80b9-41decb2dea55"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94803","id":"94803","resource":"node","uuid":"066dfd4b-81d5-4ab9-8cba-0eb7e8641c20"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94804","id":"94804","resource":"node","uuid":"b5e95d2a-5afe-4947-9549-bbac7cb15e44"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94805","id":"94805","resource":"node","uuid":"25c8e4f7-5de8-4a00-b6a5-008ac559ee85"}],"field_question":"What can I do if my partner won't let me see my child?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/887","id":"887","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"fd912e6d-248d-41ed-809d-47c0a5d79076"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95474","id":"95474","resource":"node","uuid":"63907c66-1e07-4877-93f1-9b52697c3f59"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95475","id":"95475","resource":"node","uuid":"9d30a4ed-aabe-4fda-b82b-7e8cfbc9bb91"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84216","id":"84216","resource":"node","uuid":"76156650-1cd7-4f47-b059-c4fb730006a2"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/93308","id":"93308","resource":"node","uuid":"00bd72c8-a1c4-41ce-9419-4a8d7a251a29"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95478","vid":"48388","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What can I do if my partner won't let me see my child?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-can-i-do-if-my-partner-wont-let-me-see-my-child","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95478\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085519","changed":"1510848035","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95478","id":"95478","resource":"node","uuid":"3e72d469-e423-4273-98ba-3744a9e5b4cc"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"3e72d469-e423-4273-98ba-3744a9e5b4cc","vuuid":"e912733a-17c1-41cc-8c42-730088a0ff3f","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" The law says that parents are responsible for financially supporting their dependent<\/strong> children. Dependent usually means until the child turns 18 and sometimes longer.<\/p>\n A parent can be a birth parent, a non-birth parent, an adoptive parent, and sometimes a step-parent.<\/p>\n Generally, child support is money paid by the parent that spends the least amount of time with the child to the parent who takes care of the child most of the time. It is used to help cover the costs of caring for the child.<\/p>\n Even if your child spends an equal amount of time with each parent, the parent with the higher income may still have to pay some child support.<\/p>\n The parent who pays support<\/a> is called the payor parent.<\/p>\n You and your partner can try to reach an agreement about child support before going to court. You can use the Child Support Guidelines and the Government of Canada's child support tables<\/a> to see how much child support a judge might order.<\/p>\n The tables show the basic<\/strong> monthly amounts of child support to cover expenses like clothes, groceries, and school supplies. It is based on the gross annual income of the payor parent and the number of children they have to support. There is a separate<\/span> table for each province and territory.<\/p>\n There are other factors that may affect the amount of child support<\/a> a judge might order. For example:<\/p>\n The law says that parents are responsible for financially supporting their dependent<\/strong> children. Dependent usually means until the child turns 18 and sometimes longer.<\/p>\n When parents do not live together, the parent who cares for the child for the least amount of time usually pays child support to the parent who cares for the child most of the time. If a child spends an equal amount of time with each of their parents, the parent with the higher income may still have to pay some child support.<\/p>\n The parent who pays child support is called the payor<\/b>. A payor can sometimes be a step-parent or other person who had a parent-like relationship with the child.<\/p>\n Parents must support their children even if they:<\/p>\n In some situations, a parent may receive child support and income assistance. Income assistance includes Ontario Works<\/a> and Ontario Disibility Support Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n The right to child support and access are two different things. They are both rights of the child. A parent cannot be denied access to their child because they do not pay child support. And a parent who does not have access may still have to pay child support.<\/p>\n You can only refuse to allow access in limited situations, such as if you're afraid for your child\u2019s safety<\/a>. You may have to call child protection services if you believe your child is being abused by your partner or someone in their home. If you're in this situation, get help right away.<\/p>\n Talk to a lawyer<\/a> who can tell you what to do to keep your children safe. If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, you may be able to find legal help<\/a> in other places.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94810","id":"94810","resource":"node","uuid":"358f56a5-a4f6-4ca7-9f5c-ed9c5c8e9ff5"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94813","id":"94813","resource":"node","uuid":"cd030fd2-8f24-4201-8dd4-b1ef5ede6a03"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94811","id":"94811","resource":"node","uuid":"a4d835d9-e72d-48e9-a78f-4e89cf3bc437"}],"field_question":"Who pays child support?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/888","id":"888","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"e1263b53-f56f-4b57-8e76-e468da393f2f"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95481","id":"95481","resource":"node","uuid":"b659fbc5-010d-4659-9064-a59b9f8938ea"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95492","id":"95492","resource":"node","uuid":"eab6cdb1-d18d-4907-81f1-31e5f74c3a6d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95484","id":"95484","resource":"node","uuid":"e22b3ae2-d019-4ef7-9420-68792fec64bd"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84218","id":"84218","resource":"node","uuid":"92451fe9-150d-4cd9-a22f-a36490a4f685"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92527","id":"92527","resource":"node","uuid":"d7045ae4-21a5-4de9-a0ff-f49b7f7b8156"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1519880400","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":"1551416400","field_staff_lawyer":"Fara Wali","field_staff_editor":"Carina Vincent","field_review_notes":"FW - 2018 03 09 updates made to reflect All Families Are Equal Act.\r\nTH - 2018 07 16: Updated YMAN resource in Steps 1 & 2 to reflect changes in the law.","field_sent_out_for_french_transl":"7981218000","field_attached":[],"field_written_by":"Vanessa Lam","field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95480","vid":"63612","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"Who pays child support?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/who-pays-child-support","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95480\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085520","changed":"1531773752","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95480","id":"95480","resource":"node","uuid":"eead08c3-d8bf-47f0-b0af-f0007ee24c5b"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"eead08c3-d8bf-47f0-b0af-f0007ee24c5b","vuuid":"2ed9d422-41cb-4afa-8fda-2e3ba2b41ba2","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" Usually child support is money paid by the parent that spends the least amount of time with the child to the parent who takes care of the child most of the time. It is used to help cover the costs of caring for the child.<\/p>\n Even if your child spends an equal amount of time with each of you, the parent with the higher income may still have to pay some child support.<\/p>\n The parent who pays child support<\/a> is called the payor parent.<\/p>\n You and your partner can try to reach an agreement about child support before going to court. You can use the Child Support Guidelines and the Government of Canada's child support tables<\/a> to see how much child support a judge might order.<\/p>\n The tables are based on the gross annual income of the payor parent and the number of children they have to support. There is a separate<\/span> table for each province and territory.<\/p>\n The tables show the basic<\/strong> monthly amounts of child support to cover expenses like clothes, groceries, and school supplies. It is the payor parent's contribution to meet the child\u2019s basic needs, just as if they were living with the child.<\/p>\n The table amount assumes that the parent who is caring for the child most of the time contributes to their financial support.<\/p>\n There are other factors that may affect the amount of child support a judge might order. For example:<\/p>\n Usually child support is based on the gross annual income of the parent paying support and the number of children they have to support. Gross income means income before taxes and most other deductions.<\/p>\n The payor parent must give detailed information about their income. This can include:<\/p>\n Sometimes these documents do not show the whole picture of what the payor parent makes or could be making. This can be because they:<\/p>\n You partner might be doing these things to avoid paying child support or to pay less child support.<\/p>\n In these situations, you can ask the judge to impute income. This means asking the judge to decide that your partner earns more than they say or can earn more.<\/p>\n A judge imputes income based on what the payor parent is capable of earning or what the judge thinks the payor parent actually earns. The judge looks at things like their work history, past income, education, lifestyle, and job opportunities.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94820","id":"94820","resource":"node","uuid":"e22ac90c-68c5-4dc1-bce0-d40f7d7a8330"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94821","id":"94821","resource":"node","uuid":"1e2ef006-1219-4bc3-9f9a-266da3d8afe0"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94822","id":"94822","resource":"node","uuid":"6291c9bc-8982-45e8-97fe-d240c85f7ee4"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94823","id":"94823","resource":"node","uuid":"6b0fc004-d08b-478e-89d5-7dac687455c8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94824","id":"94824","resource":"node","uuid":"8a774d38-3adf-47d1-a1ec-4ac1e65d5371"}],"field_question":"What if my partner is paid in cash or is hiding money to avoid paying child support?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/888","id":"888","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"e1263b53-f56f-4b57-8e76-e468da393f2f"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95479","id":"95479","resource":"node","uuid":"09693025-6045-44eb-8411-956685cc6c13"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95481","id":"95481","resource":"node","uuid":"b659fbc5-010d-4659-9064-a59b9f8938ea"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95484","id":"95484","resource":"node","uuid":"e22b3ae2-d019-4ef7-9420-68792fec64bd"}],"field_services":{"1":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/85397","id":"85397","resource":"node","uuid":"eeb16c33-4ebb-4d6d-97e2-4f8eb340b2f7"},"2":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},"3":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},"4":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}},"field_resources":{"0":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84218","id":"84218","resource":"node","uuid":"92451fe9-150d-4cd9-a22f-a36490a4f685"},"1":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},"3":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/92708","id":"92708","resource":"node","uuid":"763924ca-ee9f-4d71-b6df-6f69f0f6b483"}},"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95482","vid":"50251","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What if my partner is paid in cash or is hiding money to avoid paying child support?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-if-my-partner-paid-cash-or-hiding-money-avoid-paying-child-support","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95482\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085520","changed":"1513370994","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95482","id":"95482","resource":"node","uuid":"86961a1b-f457-44e7-a324-d1a3523c8d84"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"86961a1b-f457-44e7-a324-d1a3523c8d84","vuuid":"335f4966-0df7-4f53-9de1-e31a84631f2e","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" The law says that parents are responsible for financially supporting their dependent<\/strong> children. Dependent usually means until the child turns 18 and sometimes longer.<\/p>\n A child is not<\/strong> a dependant if they:<\/p>\n Withdrawal from parental control means your child decides not to live with you anymore and not to follow your rules. The withdrawal from parental control must be voluntary. This means your child cannot be forced to leave.<\/p>\n A child who is over the age of majority<\/strong>, which means 18 years old or older, may still be dependent if they cannot support themselves because they:<\/p>\n Even if your separation agreement or court order says when child support ends, the responsibility to pay child support usually continues for as long as your child is a dependant.<\/p>\n When your child is no longer a dependant, you have to take steps to make sure the separation agreement or court order is no longer being enforced. You may have to contact the Family Responsibility Office if they are enforcing child support payments. Or, you may have to go to court and bring a motion to change<\/a>.<\/p>\n The right to child support and access are two different issues. They are both rights of the child. A parent cannot be denied access to their child because they do not pay child support. And a parent who does not have access may still have to pay child support.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94825","id":"94825","resource":"node","uuid":"899c8ab7-7100-45f0-893d-cba2b5ff0887"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94826","id":"94826","resource":"node","uuid":"7f5c51ed-7ef5-4fd9-af3e-83a7a4fac297"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94827","id":"94827","resource":"node","uuid":"05adaf78-e8e7-43fc-b0fc-8ad85aa25ef7"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94828","id":"94828","resource":"node","uuid":"437a9eaf-b4c4-490c-9058-66bf9a6b59ed"}],"field_question":"When does child support end? How do I end it? ","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/888","id":"888","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"e1263b53-f56f-4b57-8e76-e468da393f2f"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95486","id":"95486","resource":"node","uuid":"d04c1577-52b8-4674-9f64-9e18bf14851e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95488","id":"95488","resource":"node","uuid":"89d73eeb-465b-46d3-8684-e87211277ece"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95489","id":"95489","resource":"node","uuid":"928be282-79c3-4eea-827b-fe11aa45a752"}],"field_services":{"0":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95684","id":"95684","resource":"node","uuid":"2fea92c8-2474-4bc0-a6f8-ac5963663baa"},"1":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},"2":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},"4":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}},"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84218","id":"84218","resource":"node","uuid":"92451fe9-150d-4cd9-a22f-a36490a4f685"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76153","id":"76153","resource":"node","uuid":"30248465-1e17-4793-86e7-c3985ccb1c6e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76528","id":"76528","resource":"node","uuid":"e22bb040-2bc7-4666-90c1-0a50ece309c5"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76575","id":"76575","resource":"node","uuid":"935be251-4af4-45a6-aa5b-751de2e51f5d"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76660","id":"76660","resource":"node","uuid":"11099304-a5ad-4968-a786-b306d3f68ef6"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":"1506744000","field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":"FM: Please note that I have assigned a date for future review to this question that is just to test the feature. A lawyer or the content Project manager will have to assign an appropriate one.","field_sent_out_for_french_transl":"7981218000","field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95483","vid":"50170","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"When does child support end? How do I end it?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/when-does-child-support-end-how-do-i-end-it","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95483\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085520","changed":"1513192049","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95483","id":"95483","resource":"node","uuid":"eb8a0039-6ba7-4b90-bf00-1b5eae8943fa"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"eb8a0039-6ba7-4b90-bf00-1b5eae8943fa","vuuid":"8c6c766b-9d3a-4ad2-a39d-48eb1fa306b6","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" If you and your partner agree on child support, you can put what you've agreed to in a separation agreement. This is a written contract that you and your partner make.<\/p>\n Your separation agreement can deal with child support alone, or can include other things like spousal support, custody and access, and dividing property.<\/p>\n You don't have to wait until you and your partner agree on everything before making a separation agreement. You can make an agreement on the things you agree on, while working on other issues.<\/p>\n You can make a separation agreement if you're married or in a common-law relationship.<\/p>\n There are some good reasons to make a written separation agreement:<\/p>\n You can talk to a lawyer<\/a> who can give you advice about the rules your separation agreement needs to follow to make it legal. If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, you may be able to find legal help<\/a> in other places.<\/p>\n Legal Aid Ontario<\/a> (LAO) has a service to help people with separation agreements. If your income is low enough<\/a>, LAO covers the cost of up to 10 hours with a family lawyer to help you negotiate and draft a separation agreement.<\/p>\n \nmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin\"> You and your partner may be able to use the Ontario government's online Child Support Service<\/a> (CSS) to get child support.<\/p>\n The government uses income information to calculate how much child support should be paid. In general, the CSS can only decide child support in simple cases where the table amount applies. It can only be used for some special or extraordinary expenses. And, it does not allow for retroactive child support.<\/p>\n","summary":"","format":"full_html"},"field_next_steps":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94829","id":"94829","resource":"node","uuid":"86b322b7-976d-446d-a392-5cea172148d1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94830","id":"94830","resource":"node","uuid":"fcaebb9c-e30e-48ef-b6bc-a14f7c801c41"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94831","id":"94831","resource":"node","uuid":"4d0717cb-46c1-4425-8827-4563d9c23607"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94832","id":"94832","resource":"node","uuid":"a846a846-b0c0-4ffc-8a56-1978f3d0181e"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/94833","id":"94833","resource":"node","uuid":"789f1ddb-b20f-4161-b344-1536052ca6a2"}],"field_question":"What should we do if we agree on child support?","field_topic":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/823","id":"823","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"f037d1b5-8225-4406-af52-67c52b8ab4bc"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/taxonomy_term\/888","id":"888","resource":"taxonomy_term","uuid":"e1263b53-f56f-4b57-8e76-e468da393f2f"}],"field_questions":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95480","id":"95480","resource":"node","uuid":"eead08c3-d8bf-47f0-b0af-f0007ee24c5b"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95481","id":"95481","resource":"node","uuid":"b659fbc5-010d-4659-9064-a59b9f8938ea"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95486","id":"95486","resource":"node","uuid":"d04c1577-52b8-4674-9f64-9e18bf14851e"}],"field_services":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95635","id":"95635","resource":"node","uuid":"866cfdb7-92f7-4656-a4d8-21483b0022b1"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81368","id":"81368","resource":"node","uuid":"f52d9f53-c38f-45af-b470-4ceac02c7dc9"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/81402","id":"81402","resource":"node","uuid":"39331501-73ea-4b4d-8a50-d0d3dc78d95c"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95682","id":"95682","resource":"node","uuid":"7537f6e0-f5e4-45f0-9285-c80e87f44ae8"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95681","id":"95681","resource":"node","uuid":"a22d3795-a571-423a-8160-381c3e70b0ad"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/96350","id":"96350","resource":"node","uuid":"74e6da58-8dde-45c4-93be-11813d7d3565"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/99129","id":"99129","resource":"node","uuid":"cddef07a-ba82-418d-9b81-61d55572097d"}],"field_resources":[{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/84218","id":"84218","resource":"node","uuid":"92451fe9-150d-4cd9-a22f-a36490a4f685"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76528","id":"76528","resource":"node","uuid":"e22bb040-2bc7-4666-90c1-0a50ece309c5"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/89774","id":"89774","resource":"node","uuid":"35125559-0ee5-4eda-8d65-f7e7ce110df0"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/86846","id":"86846","resource":"node","uuid":"750b2a06-0691-4a54-94f8-0b02f29c4079"},{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/76660","id":"76660","resource":"node","uuid":"11099304-a5ad-4968-a786-b306d3f68ef6"}],"field_date_reviewed":"1504152000","field_date_for_future_legal_revi":null,"field_staff_lawyer":null,"field_staff_editor":null,"field_review_notes":null,"field_sent_out_for_french_transl":null,"field_attached":[],"field_written_by":null,"field_translation_notes":null,"field_reviewed_by":null,"nid":"95484","vid":"50276","is_new":false,"type":"question","title":"What should we do if we agree on child support?","language":"en","url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/questions\/family-law\/what-should-we-do-if-we-agree-child-support","edit_url":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95484\/edit","status":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","created":"1449085520","changed":"1513376081","source":{"uri":"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/node\/95484","id":"95484","resource":"node","uuid":"e22b3ae2-d019-4ef7-9420-68792fec64bd"},"comment":"1","comments":[],"comment_count":"0","comment_count_new":"0","feed_nid":null,"uuid":"e22b3ae2-d019-4ef7-9420-68792fec64bd","vuuid":"48109a3e-75ef-4c8e-aae6-0e84261e2e49","menu_link":{"title":null,"mlid":null,"parents":null,"url":null,"pb_join":[]}},{"body":{"value":" If you and your partner cannot agree on child support, with or without the help of lawyers, you have a few options. You can:<\/p>\n A parent cannot agree to \"give up\" receiving child support just because they don't want to deal with the other parent. Child support is a right of the child. The law says that both parents are responsible for financially supporting their dependent<\/strong> children.<\/p>\n You and your partner may be able to use the Ontario government\u2019s online Child Support Service<\/a> (CSS) to get child support.<\/p>\n The government uses income information to calculate how much child support should be paid. In general, the CSS can only decide child support in simple cases where the table amount applies. It can only be used for some special or extraordinary expenses. And, it does not allow for retroactive child support.<\/p>\n There are different types of family law professionals who can help you and your partner resolve your issues. These are neutral people who are trained to work with both of you to help you reach an agreement or make a decision for you.<\/p>\n These processes are sometimes called alternative dispute resolution because they help solve your issues without going to court.<\/p>\n If you and your partner still cannot agree even with the help of a family law professional, or if this is not the right option for you, one of you will have to start a family law court case.<\/p>\n A family court makes decisions using the family law rules<\/a> and laws. Going to court can be a complicated process and it can take a lot of time. It can be stressful and expensive, but it is sometimes necessary to decide your issues.<\/p>\nMatrimonial home<\/h3>\n
New relationships<\/h3>\n
Religious divorce<\/h3>\n
Matrimonial home<\/h3>\n
Religious divorce<\/h3>\n
Matrimonial home<\/h3>\n
Talk to a lawyer<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
When to make a separation agreement<\/h3>\n
Family law professionals<\/h3>\n
Go to court<\/h3>\n
Changing the process<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Child support is separate from access<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
Refusing access<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Private Assessment<\/h3>\n
Office of the Children's Lawyer<\/h3>\n
\n
Family law professionals<\/h3>\n
Go to court<\/h3>\n
Changing the process<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
Child support is separate from access<\/h3>\n
Child support is separate from access<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Child support is separate from access<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Hidden income<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
Child support is separate from access<\/h3>\n
\n
Use the online child support service<\/h3>\n
\n
Online child support service<\/h3>\n
Family law professionals<\/h3>\n
Go to court<\/h3>\n