Supporting Families

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Legal Advice

Many visitors to our Web site contact us asking for legal assistance, advice, interpretation or research. The Department of Justice cannot comply with these requests. Our mandate is to provide counsel and legal services only to the Government of Canada and to client departments and agencies, not to private individuals. Therefore, the information is on this site and from our publications and through our toll-free line is general information on family law.

You are strongly advised to seek advice on your unique situation from a family law lawyer, even if you can only afford one or two consultations. Family law is complex and the law must be applied to specific facts by a professional who is knows the law before you can decide what your options might be. Once you have the advice, you are in a stronger position to decide how to resolve your concerns.

General Information

You can receive information on various aspects of family law in four (4) ways.

1. You can write to us at:
   
   Family, Children and Youth Section
   Department of Justice Canada
   284 Wellington Street
   Ottawa ON  K1A 0H8
   Canada
2. You can telephone us at:
   • National Capital Region: (613) 946-2222
   • Canada and the continental United States: 1-888-373-2222
3. You can fax us at (613) 946-2211
4. You can email us at fcyinfofea@justice.gc.ca

Support Enforcement

If you are involved in garnishment proceedings (either as a support payer or a support recipient), you can obtain information in the following ways.

1. You can call the Family Law Assistance Unit's Automated Information System toll free at 1-800-267-7777 (or 1-800-267-7676, the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, if you have hearing or speech problems)
2. You may write to the Family Law Assistance Unit at:
   
   Family Orders and Agreements
   Enforcement Assistance (FOAEA) Unit
   Department of Justice Canada
   P.O. 2730, Postal Station "D"
   Ottawa ON  K1P 5W7

Other

Department of Justice Canada NewsRoom

For reporters, editors, broadcasters and the public, the NewsRoom contains all departmental news releases, backgrounders, media contacts and speeches.

If you wish to contact other key parts of the Department of Justice Canada, please go to the Contact Us homepage.