Official court procedure Official form

Joint Divorce Application Checklist

Ontario Court Services

Source sectionOther documents related to family law cases — Joint Divorce Application Checklist

Source checked2026-08-08

Related explanation

Substantive

Divorce in Ontario

Court: Superior Court of Justice

A divorce legally ends a marriage and is granted by the Superior Court under the federal Divorce Act.

A divorce can only be granted by the Superior Court of Justice, including its Family Court branch. The Divorce Act sets the legal basis for divorce and also governs parenting and support issues between married spouses when claims are brought under that Act. Many divorces proceed on the basis that the spouses have lived separate and apart for at least one year, although the Act also contains other grounds.

A divorce can be requested on its own or together with claims such as parenting, support or property. The existence of unresolved family issues can affect how the case proceeds, but separation itself does not require a court order. A divorce becomes effective according to the Divorce Act and the court’s divorce order, and a divorce certificate can later be obtained as proof of the divorce.

Source summary

What this source covers

Official Ontario family-law form or related court document: Joint Divorce Application Checklist. Its use depends on the governing rule, the issues in the case and any applicable court directions.

Key points

What this is

Ontario Court Services lists this family-law document as “Joint Divorce Application Checklist”.

How to use this form

Read the form together with the current Family Law Rules and any applicable court orders, notices and practice directions. The governing rule determines when the form is required and how it is used.

For exact wording, dates, exceptions and current requirements, read the original source. Binding law and court directions take priority over explanatory material.

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Law and rules

Related official provisions

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

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Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings

Rule 13 — (3.1) of the Family Law Rules addresses the documents that must be included with a party’s financial statement where child or spousal support has been sought. A party should provide an updated Certificate of Financial Disclosure (Form 13A) to the other party with this documentation.

If disclosure cannot be resolved prior to the case conference, the party seeking disclosure must include in their materials a list of the outstanding disclosure in accordance with Rule 13(11.01) of the Family Law Rules . The court may award costs pursuant to Rules 17(18) or 24(7) where a party has failed to comply with their disclosure obligations. Counsel and parties should address all disclosure issues in advance of the settlement conference. Any motions for disclosure must be heard in advance of the settlement conference. More information about financial statements and the documents that shall be exchanged to support a financial statement is available here . 1. Automatic Disclosure Orders Under Rule 8.0.1

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide

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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

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Binding law / official textToronto Region Practice Direction

Rule 7 — Applications, Rule 7 Motions, and Other Applications and Motions in Writing that are Proceeding on Consent of all Parties may be brought as follows:

Electronic copies of Rule 7 applications, Rule 7 motions, and other applications and motions in writing that are proceeding on consent of all parties must be filed in searchable PDF format through the Ontario Courts Public Portal . Where a sealing or redaction order is requested, the redacted materials are to be filed through the Ontario Courts Public Portal , and unredacted materials must be emailed to the trial coordinator’s office at LongMotionsStatus.Judge@ontario.ca , clearly indicating that a sealing or redaction order is being requested. Unredacted material that is the subject of a sealing or redaction order should not be uploaded to Case Center. Counsel must ensure that all material required for Court approval in accordance with r. 7.08(4) is included in the motion record. An approved form of draft judgment shall be prepared in Word format and uploaded in a separate document to Case Center in accordance with r. 4.05.3. A motion under Rule 7.08 must be brought in accordance with the Best Practice’s Guidelines and Checklist for Rule 7.08 matters.…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Toronto

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Binding law / official textFamily Law Rules

Rule 41 — CASE MANAGEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE (OTHER THAN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE)

41. Case management in the Superior Court of Justice (other than the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice)

Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99

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Binding law / official textToronto Region Practice Direction

Part III — of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 sets out the procedure and filing requirements for an application to appoint one or more guardians of an incapable adult. Part III of the Children’s Law Reform Act sets out the procedure and filing requirements for an application to appoint one or more guardians of a minor. In addition, the general requirements of Rule 38 governing applications apply to applications to appoint guardians.

Subject to paragraph 30 below, an application for the appointment of a guardian under the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 or the Children’s Law Reform Act should be commenced by filing a notice of application using the Ontario Courts Public Portal or in person at the Toronto Estates Office counter. In the Estates List Confirmation Form , applicants should advise the court of the expected length of time required for the application to be heard, which should not be less than 30 minutes, and whether the application is opposed or unopposed. If an individual is alleged to be incapable of managing property, and a claim for damages for personal injury is contemplated or a personal injury action has been commenced but not resolved, a guardianship application in respect of such individual may be brought on the Estates List.…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Toronto

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Related subjects:Before you start · Forms and documents · Divorce and separation