OSHAWA FAMILY LAWYERS

The main courthouse for family law matters in Oshawa is the Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel S. Sharpe, DSO, MP Courthouse, located at 150 Bond Street East, Oshawa, ON L1G 0A2. This courthouse handles family law cases as part of the Superior Court of Justice’s family branch. The court office is generally open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with public counters for filing documents available 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
You can reach the courthouse’s general inquiry line at 905-743-2800. For up-to-date details on hours, services, and directions, visit the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General’s Court Locations page or the Ontario 211 directory for community legal resources. Parking is available on-site, and the courthouse is fully accessible.

Family law forms in Oshawa are the standard Ontario forms (there are no unique local forms for Oshawa). Key forms include:
Divorce Application Forms: To apply for a divorce in Ontario (including Oshawa), you will use either Form 8 or Form 8A. Use Form 8: Application (General) if you are asking for a divorce along with other claims such as child custody, support, or property division​
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. If you are requesting a divorce only (no other relief), you can use Form 8A: Application (Divorce) – this form covers a simple divorce (sole application) or a joint divorce​
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. These forms are available at the courthouse or online, and they initiate your case in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Family Court) which handles divorces in Oshawa.
Child Custody and Support Forms: Claims for decision-making responsibility or parenting time (formerly called custody and access) must include an Affidavit in Support of Claim for Custody or Access (Form 35.1)​
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. This affidavit provides the court with details about your proposed parenting plan and information about the children’s situation. For child support (or spousal support), you will need to include a Financial Statement (see below) to show income, expenses, and financial status. If you are changing an existing custody or support order, you would use a Form 15: Motion to Change and related forms, but for initial applications in Oshawa the Form 8/8A and Form 35.1 are the primary documents for custody/support claims.
Financial Statement Forms (Support or Property Division): When your case involves child support or spousal support, you must complete Form 13: Financial Statement (Support Claims)​
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. If your case also involves property division (marital property equalization) – which is common in divorce cases – you use Form 13.1: Financial Statement (Property and Support Claims)​
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. These forms require you to disclose your income, expenses, assets, and debts, to help the court or the other party determine appropriate support or property division. You will also need to attach a Form 13A: Certificate of Financial Disclosure listing the documents (like pay stubs, tax returns, property valuations, etc.) that back up the numbers in your financial statement​
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All Ontario family law forms can be obtained for free at the Oshawa courthouse or downloaded from the Ontario Court Forms website. Make sure to file your forms at the Oshawa courthouse family law counter (or via the online Family Submissions portal, if applicable) and pay the required filing fees (for divorce applications, etc.). The procedures in Oshawa for filing and serving these forms follow the standard Ontario family court rules – there aren’t special Oshawa-only procedures, so the general Ontario guidelines (such as having the application issued by the court, serving the other party, and filing proof of service) apply​
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. Always double-check that you have the latest versions of the forms and consult the courthouse staff or the Family Law Information Centre if you need guidance on which forms are required for your situation.

Yes. Oshawa has family mediation services that can help you resolve issues without a full court trial. The primary service is through the Durham Mediation Centre, which is the local court-connected family mediation provider. It operates the on-site mediation program at the Oshawa family courthouse and offers off-site mediation as well:
Court-Connected Mediation (On-Site): On days when family court is in session at the Oshawa courthouse, free on-site mediation is available for parties with a case in court. This is a government-funded program that provides up to 2 hours of free mediation with a professional mediator at the courthouse​

You can access this service on the day of your court appearance – ask at the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) on the first floor. The on-site mediator can help with narrow issues that are before the court, such as reaching an agreement on custody, access (parenting time), or child support arrangements​.

Both parties must agree to attempt mediation. If more time is needed beyond the initial two hours, you can continue through off-site sessions.
Off-Site Family Mediation: Durham Mediation Centre also provides mediation sessions outside of court (by appointment). These off-site mediations are subsidized on a sliding fee scale based on income, making them affordable​. This allows you to mediate comprehensive issues (e.g. property division or more complex parenting plans) in a neutral setting. The first session may be free or low-cost, and any additional hours have fees geared to your income. You can contact the Durham Mediation Centre at 905-579-1988 (which is the same number for the FLIC in Oshawa) to inquire about starting mediation​.

Family Law Information Centre (FLIC): The FLIC at the Oshawa courthouse (1st floor) is an important resource related to mediation and ADR. It is staffed by an Information and Referral Coordinator who can provide information on mediation services and other community resources​

Visiting the FLIC or calling the mediation service early in your case can help you decide if mediation is a suitable option for your situation.
These mediation services are independent of private law firms – they are either court-connected or non-profit services. The goal is to help families in Oshawa resolve disputes amicably. In addition to mediation, you might consider other ADR options like collaborative family law (where each party has a lawyer and all commit to settling out of court) or arbitration, but those are typically private services. For most people, the free or low-cost mediation available through the Durham Mediation Centre is a great first step. More information about Oshawa’s family mediation services can be found on the Ministry of Attorney General’s website and the Durham Mediation Centre’s site​
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Oshawa has several dedicated resources for victims of domestic or family violence, ensuring safety and support for those in crisis:
Emergency Shelters: Two main emergency shelters serve Oshawa:
The Denise House (Oshawa) – a 24/7 emergency shelter for abused women and their children. It provides safe housing, crisis counseling, and support services. Crisis Line: 905-728-7311 (available 24 hours)​
YWCA Durham’s Y’s WISH Shelter (Oshawa) – another 24/7 shelter offering safe refuge for women and children fleeing abuse. Crisis Line: 905-576-2997 (local) or toll-free **1-888-576-2997】​ywcadurham.org
These shelters offer not only a safe place to stay but also emotional support, safety planning, and referrals to legal and social services. If you are in immediate danger, always call 9-1-1 first. The shelter crisis lines above can guide you to safety and arrange emergency accommodation if needed.
Community Support Services: Beyond shelters, Oshawa has specialized support for domestic violence survivors. A key resource is Luke’s Place Support & Resource Centre for Women & Children, an Oshawa-based non-profit that helps women who have experienced abuse navigate the family law system. Luke’s Place offers one-on-one support, legal information, and accompaniment to court or lawyer appointments​
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They understand both woman abuse and family law issues, helping clients create safety plans and prepare for court. (Their services are free and confidential; contact 905-728-0978 ext. 235 or toll-free 1-866-516-3116 ext. 235 to speak with a support worker​. Additionally, Victim Services of Durham Region and the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) (located at the courthouse) can assist victims of crime with information and support through criminal court proceedings. These agencies ensure that survivors in Oshawa have both a safe haven and the guidance needed to pursue legal action or counselling.

Yes. If you are involved in a family court case in Oshawa (such as a separation/divorce case with issues of parenting or support), you will be required to attend a Mandatory Information Program (MIP). The MIP is a province-wide requirement, and it’s offered locally in Oshawa soon after your case is started. Here’s what you need to know:
What is the MIP? It’s a free 2-hour session that both parties (each spouse/parent) must attend, either together or separately. The session provides important information about the effects of separation and divorce, the family court process, and methods of resolving disputes​. Topics typically include: the impact of separation on children and adults, options for resolving disputes (like mediation or counseling), the legal basics of family court, and community resources available for families​. The goal is to help parents understand how to co-parent effectively and encourage out-of-court resolutions where possible.
Where and when in Oshawa? In Oshawa, MIP sessions are often held at the Oshawa courthouse or a nearby location. Currently, many sessions might be offered by webinar/online or in-person at scheduled times (the format can change, so check the latest info). When you file an application in family court, the court staff will usually give you information on how to register for MIP. You must attend the session usually within a few weeks of starting the case (and in any event, before your first significant court hearing like a case conference). If you’re the respondent in a case, you’ll be served with a notice to attend MIP as well.
How to register: Oshawa’s MIP is coordinated through the same family court services system – you can call the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) at 905-579-1988 or the Durham Mediation Centre (which often administers the MIP program locally) to schedule your session​

Sometimes you can register online or by email; the information sheet from the courthouse will have contact details. Be sure to sign the attendance confirmation at your session – you’ll get a certificate of completion that the court will expect as proof you attended.
Why it matters: Attending the MIP is mandatory – the judge will not proceed with your case if you (or the other party) fail to attend. Beyond the requirement, parents often find it helpful. You will learn about how to keep children out of conflict and resources that can help you (for example, you might learn about parenting classes or counselling services in Oshawa that you didn’t know of). The session is informational; you won’t be asked to share personal details in front of others. Sometimes both parties attend the same session; if there’s a safety concern (e.g., a history of domestic violence), you can arrange to attend separately from the other party.
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Yes. Oshawa and the Durham Region have community-based programs to help parents improve their co-parenting skills and get support during or after separation. These resources are outside of court and are designed to help parents cope with parenting challenges, reduce conflict, and focus on the best interests of their children. Some notable programs and resources include:
Cooperative Co-Parenting Programs: The John Howard Society of Durham Region offers a program called “Cooperative Co-Parenting through Separation/Divorce.” This program is aimed at helping separated or divorced parents learn to work together in raising their children, with an emphasis on shielding children from parental conflict​
johnhoward.on.ca. It covers strategies for communication between ex-partners, conflict resolution, and keeping kids out of the middle. Sessions are often group-based, allowing parents to learn and share experiences in a guided setting. There’s also an “Active Parenting Now” program (for parents of children aged ~5–12) to build general positive parenting skills​

Durham Family Court Clinic (DFCC) Programs: The Durham Family Court Clinic is a community agency that supports families going through the justice system. They run specialized groups such as D.A.D.S. (Dads Aiming for Direction and Support) – a parenting group specifically for fathers who are experiencing separation or divorce​ dfcc.org. The D.A.D.S program provides education and peer support for dads to help them adjust to new parenting arrangements, understand children’s needs after separation, and continue to be effective, supportive parents​. Fathers get a chance to connect with other men in similar situations, which can reduce isolation and stress. DFCC also has an Active Parenting program (likely similar to the one through John Howard, focusing on positive parenting techniques). To learn more or join these programs, you can call the DFCC’s Oshawa office (for example, DFCC’s Oshawa number is 905-579-8482​ or check their website. Programs might be free or low-cost, often funded by donations or government grants.
Workshops and Support Groups: Durham Region Health Department and local family service agencies sometimes host workshops on topics like “Parenting After Separation” or support groups for single parents. For instance, the Durham Community Health Centre has run a free series called “Cooperative Parenting Through Separation and Divorce,” which helps parents focus on the needs of their children and maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship despite the separation​
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