Legal Aid Information (in Ontario)
Ms. Katrina Pak welcomes Legal Aid certificates for Family Law and Immigration Law matters.
If you would like to retain the services of Ms. Katrina Pak for your Legal Aid case; please contact us at (416) 850-4092.
What kind of matters are covered by Legal Aid Ontario
In family matters:
- custody of your children
- access or visitation with your children
- child or spousal support payments
- an order prohibiting the sale or destruction of property
- negotiation over ownership of things like RRSPs or pensions, that may provide you some income
- Children's Aid Society cases
In immigration and refugee matters:
- refugee hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board
- sponsorship and deportation appeals
- detention reviews
For some civil cases and final appeals, such as:
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal
- Employment Insurance appeals
- Mental health hearings and appeals
How to Apply for Legal Aid in Ontario
Legal Aid Ontario was established to meet low income families' needs for legal services.
If you need a private lawyer's legal service and you are unable to afford it, you can apply for legal aid at any one of the 48 Legal Aid area offices across the Province. You can find the Area Office nearest you from Legal Aid Ontario’s website (www.legalaid.on.ca) under the heading, "Getting Legal Help."
If you are eligible for legal aid and you receive a certificate, you may take the certificate to a lawyer of your choice who accepts legal aid certificates. If you cannot find a lawyer who will accept your case, Legal Aid Ontario may help you to find a lawyer accepting a legal aid certificate in your region.
Who is eligible for legal aid certificate
To determine your legal aid certificate eligibility, Legal Aid consider your assets (such as cash, back accounts, stocks, bonds, and RRSPs) and your income. If there is anything that can be sold or easily converted into cash. Depending on the situation, you may be expected to use some of your assets to help pay for legal fees. If you own a house or property, Legal Aid may also require that a lien be placed against the property, or other arrangements can be made through a contribution agreement.
In terms of your income, you may be eligible for legal aid without a detailed assessment if your after tax is as follows:
| Monthly | Yearly | |
| Family size = 1 | $601 | $7,212 |
| Family size = 2 | $1,075 | $12,900 |
| Family size = 3 | $1,137 | $13,644 |
| Family size = 4 | $1,281 | $15,372 |
| Family size = 5+ | $1,281 | $15,372 |
When you go to Legal Aid for your appointment, you are recommended to bring as many documents as possible.
Other documents may be required depending on your situation.
- some form of identification (social insurance card, driver's licence, health card or landed immigration papers)
- any documents relating to your case, such as court orders, separation agreements, criminal charge synopsis, change screening form and any other relevant documents
- proof of your current income, for example 2-3 recent pay stubs, a recent welfare check stubs, disability cheques, Employment Insurance statements, up-to-date bank book or bank statements for the last 2-3 months of transactions and current balance
- proof of monthly expenses and bills, for example rent receipt or mortgage payment, car payment receipts, credit card statements, loan agreements
- deed to all properties owned
- proof of other assets, for example RRSP statements, investment statements, car ownership
- proof of unusual expenses, for example medical costs that are not covered under any health care insurance benefits
- if you live with other adults, financial information about this adult may be required (unless it is a spouse you are separating from)
Please visit the Legal Aid Ontario website for more information.