← LibrarySource sectionWhat happens at a family law motion?
Source checked2026-08-08
Related explanationCourtSuperior Court of Justice — family cases
Court: Superior Court of Justice
The Superior Court of Justice hears family-law matters including divorce and family-property claims, as well as parenting, support and other family issues within its jurisdiction.
The Superior Court of Justice is Ontario’s higher trial court. In family law it has jurisdiction over divorce and property claims and can also deal with parenting, contact, child and spousal support, restraining orders and other family matters. At designated Family Court branch locations, the court operates as a unified family court and can also deal with matters such as child protection and adoption.
SCJ family procedure is governed by the Family Law Rules, applicable legislation and court orders, together with the province-wide family practice direction and the practice direction for the judicial region where the case is heard. Filing, Case Center, confirmation, hearing-mode and scheduling requirements can therefore depend on both the type of step and the court location.
What this source covers
The Superior Court guide explains motion preparation, materials and what to expect when a judge hears a family motion.
Key pointsA motion is decided on the material properly before the judge
The Superior Court guide explains the documents used to present the request, evidence and response. Affidavits are used to put evidence before the court on many family motions.
Court and regional directions can add requirements
Confirmation, page limits, factums or summaries of argument, filing timing and hearing-length rules may depend on the type of motion and the Superior Court region.
For exact wording, dates, exceptions and current requirements, read the original source. Binding law and court directions take priority over explanatory material.
Open the official source ↗Law and rulesRelated official provisions
Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings
Rule 8.0 — .1 of the Family Law Rules directs the court to issue an automatic order when certain claims are made in an Application, Motion to Change or Answer. This order requires parties to comply with their financial disclosure responsibilities.
The party who receives automatic order from the court must serve the order on every other party in the case according to Rule 8.0.1(5).
A party who has not made all reasonable efforts to comply with their disclosure obligations in advance of the case conference may be responsible for the other party’s costs.
Upon filing the originating materials, parties will receive a reminder to attend a Mandatory Information Program (Rule 8.1) and to provide an updated email address on all court documents.
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings
Rule 1.3 — of the Family Law Rules requires a member of the public to give 10 days’ written notice to the parties before the member of the public may access a family court file involving:
Decision-making responsibility, parenting time or contact with respect to a child under the Divorce Act or Part III of the Children’s Law Reform Act ;
Orders under Part I of the Children’s Law Reform Act (parentage); or
International child abduction.
The member of the public must also send notice to the Children’s Lawyer if the Children’s Lawyer is representing a child in the case or conducting an investigation for the court.
After receiving notice, a party who wishes to restrict access to the file has 10 days to file a 14B motion. If such a motion is brought, court staff may refuse the requested access until the court decides the motion.
Before the member of the public is granted access to the file, they must file an affidavit (Form 14A) confirming 1) the date on which they gave notice under Rule 1.3, to whom and by what method; and 2) that they have not been served with a motion for a restricted access order.
The following persons are exempt from the notice requirement under Family Court Rule 1.3:
A party or their counsel;…
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textNorthwest Region Practice Direction
Part 2 — Civil Proceedings, Section A Motions (Short Motions , Orders and Endorsements from Regional Motions Court , Long Motions , and Confirmation Forms ) of this Consolidated Practice Direction also apply to motions in family proceedings.
Confirmation forms for all family motions must be filed and uploaded three (3) business days prior to the event.
B. Family Conferences
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Northwest
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textSouthwest Region Practice Direction
Part 6 — : Additional Provisions Regarding the Unified Family Court- London and St. Thomas A. Family Law matters
B. Child, Youth and Family Services Act matters
C. General
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Southwest
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textCentral West Region Practice Direction
Rule 13 — (3.1) of the Family Law Rules sets out which documents MUST be included with a Financial Statement where child or spousal support has been sought. An updated Certificate of Financial Disclosure must be provided to the other party.
A party who has not made all reasonable efforts to comply with their disclosure obligations may be subject to a cost sanction, directions/terms imposed and/or the adjournment of any motion brought by that party until compliance. In egregious cases, upon motion, continued non-compliance may result in a party’s pleadings being struck or found in contempt of Court.
C. Motions to Change
The Family Law Rules direct the Court to determine the next steps in a Motion to Change, with a view to ensuring that these motions proceed in the most efficient manner appropriate in the circumstances. The Court is directed to determine the most appropriate process for reaching an expeditious and just conclusion of the case in the circumstances.
A new Motion to Change Endorsement form is available here. Parties are encouraged to provide a draft Motion to Change Endorsement form with their materials for the first judicial conference to obtain early direction regarding the most appropriate process for the case.…
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Central West
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textSouthwest Region Practice Direction
Part 6 — : Additional Provisions Regarding the Unified Family Court- London and St. Thomas
A. Family Law matters
Paragraphs 17 – 23 also apply to all family law matters being heard in the Unified Family Court – London except for Child, Youth and Family Services Act .
Previously scheduled settlement conferences, motions, special appointments or summary hearings may be adjourned on consent by obtaining a new date from the Trial Coordinator. A confirmation must then be sent in changing the dates. If the confirmation is sent there is no need for attendance by counsel/party. A separate confirmation must be filed to confirm attendance on the new date in accordance with the Family Law Rules . No more than two consent adjournments will be permitted before an in-person attendance is required.
Trial management conferences with a set trial sittings date may only be adjourned by attendance before the Local Administrative Judge or his/her designate at a time that may be arranged through the Trial Coordinator.
Trial adjournment requests may be made at the Trial Readiness Court if they have not already been addressed at the Trial Management Conference. Attendance is required.…
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Southwest
Open official source ↗Related subjects:Motions · Evidence, affidavits and witnesses
Further readingRelated rules, forms and explanations
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing motions for temporary orders, including when motions may be brought and procedural requirements.
Government of OntarioRule 14 — Motions for temporary ordersSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions for motions to change final orders or filed support agreements, including forms, response procedure and service requirements.
Government of OntarioRule 15 — Motions to change a final order or agreementSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing summary judgment in family cases.
Government of OntarioRule 16 — Summary judgmentSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing costs in family cases.
Government of OntarioRule 24 — CostsSource checked 2026-08-07
Official court procedureCourt guide
The Superior Court guide explains the response process after an Application is served, including the Answer and related filing and service steps.
Key points
An Answer is the responding party’s main response
The Superior Court guide explains the steps for responding after an Application is served, including preparing the Answer and any other documents required by the issues in the case.
Service and filing are part of responding
Preparing the Answer is only one step. The response documents must also be served and filed within the applicable rules and court directions.
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeHow do I answer a family law application?Source checked 2026-08-08
Official court procedureCourt guide
The Superior Court guide explains Case Center as the electronic document platform used for hearings and directs parties to the current uploading requirements.
Key points
Case Center is used to view hearing documents
The Superior Court describes Case Center as the platform used by parties, counsel and judges to read electronic documents for court appearances.
Uploading and filing are different steps
Superior Court directions state that putting a document into Case Center does not itself file the document with the court. Current filing rules must still be followed.
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeWhat is Case Center?Source checked 2026-08-08
Official court procedureCourt guide
Official OCJ information about Case Center and support available to parties and self-represented litigants.
Key points
Case Center is not the same thing as filing
Case Center is used for hearing materials and document access in matters where the court directs its use. Filing requirements still have to be satisfied through the accepted filing process.
Follow the invitation and event instructions
The documents and bundle for a particular event depend on the court event and current directions.
Help is available
The OCJ page provides current Case Center support information for self-represented litigants.
Ontario Court of JusticeCase Center family-court information and supportSource checked 2026-08-07
Official court procedureCourt direction
The Central East regional practice direction contains local Superior Court procedures and family-court scheduling, filing or hearing requirements that apply in that region in addition to province-wide directions.
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeCentral East Region — family proceedings and local proceduresSource checked 2026-08-08
Official court procedureCourt direction
The Central South regional practice direction contains local Superior Court procedures and family-court scheduling, filing or hearing requirements that apply in that region in addition to province-wide directions.
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeCentral South Region — family proceedings and local proceduresSource checked 2026-08-08
Official court procedureCourt direction
The Central West regional practice direction contains local Superior Court procedures and family-court scheduling, filing or hearing requirements that apply in that region in addition to province-wide directions.
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeCentral West Region — family proceedings and local proceduresSource checked 2026-08-08