Family Law Resources from the Department of Justice Canada

June 15, 2021

The Department of Justice Canada continues to develop online training courses, professional training materials and Public Legal Education and Information resources on the recent amendments to federal family law legislation. We encourage you to share the following information.

 

Online Training Courses

The Department is developing a series of free online courses about the recent amendments to federal family laws. Law Society accreditation information will be provided for each course.

The first two online courses in the series are available on the Department of Justice Canada’s website.

Introduction to Federal Family Law Amendments

This course focuses primarily on the amendments to the Divorce Act, but also briefly describes amendments made to the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act and the changes relating to two international Conventions touching on matters of family law.

*NEW* Family violence and family law for legal advisers

This course provides information about family violence and family law and explains changes to the Divorce Act relating to family violence.

The website will be updated with the following additional courses soon:

• Parenting under the new Divorce Act
• Relocation under the Divorce Act
• Inter-jurisdictional support proceedings under the Divorce Act
• Family Dispute Resolution and Duties for Parties and Legal Advisers under the New Divorce Act

 

The Divorce Act Changes Explained

The Divorce Act Changes Explained provides information about the changes to the Divorce Act adopted by Parliament in June 2019. Each entry details the amendment to the legislation, explains the change, and provides the reason for it.

 

Relocation Forms

Justice Canada has developed user-friendly forms for giving notice about relocations and for objecting to the relocation of a child.

• Notice of Relocation Form
• Objection to Relocation Form
• Notice of change in place of residence: Person with Contact

 

Fact Sheets

Fact Sheets are available on a number of topics related to the Divorce Act amendments. These resources are available in a printable format. Topics include:

• Parenting arrangements after separation or divorce
• Duties for parents and others
• A Child’s Views and Preferences
• Moving after separation or divorce?
• Divorce and Family Violence*
• Family dispute resolution: resolving family law issues out of court*

*New* These two facts sheets are now available in 12 additional languages at: Publications (justice.gc.ca)

 

Family Law Publications

Justice Canada has updated existing family law publications to reflect the legislative changes.  These publications address issues relating to parenting arrangements for children, child support, family violence, out-of-court family dispute resolution, and relocation.

• Making plans: A guide to parenting arrangements after separation or divorce
• What happens next? Information for kids about separation and divorce
• The Federal Child Support Guidelines: Step-by-Step
• Parenting Plan Checklist
• How children react at different ages and stages

 

Family law pages updates

The family law pages of the Department of Justice Canada website are being updated regularly with new materials, so we encourage you refer to them on a regular basis: www.family.justice.gc.ca