Urgent help & safety
You’re not alone. Here’s what to do right now.
If you’re worried about your safety or your children’s, help is available today — from emergency services, support lines and from us. Take this one step at a time.
Call us now
For urgent protection orders or parenting emergencies, we can often act within days — sometimes the same day.
Stay safe online
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When it’s safe to talk
Tell us the best way and time to reach you safely. We won’t leave detailed messages unless you say it’s okay.
What we can do quickly
Urgent family law help
Courts in Ontario can make urgent orders when safety is at risk. Here’s what that can look like.
Restraining orders
A court order that limits contact or keeps someone away from you or your children.
Exclusive use of the home
An order letting you and the children stay in the family home while the other person lives elsewhere.
Urgent parenting orders
Temporary orders about where children live and how parenting time happens safely.
Emergency motions
In true emergencies, we can ask a judge for a temporary order before the other side is notified.
Crisis & support resources
Free, confidential support — day and night
These services are independent of our firm. Numbers were verified from each organization’s own website in October 2026; please confirm before relying on them.
Canada · 24/7
Emergency services
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911 for police, fire or ambulance.
Ontario · 24/7
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
416-863-0511 (GTA) · TTY 1-866-863-7868 · #SAFE (#7233) on Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus mobile
Free, confidential crisis counselling, safety planning and referrals for women who have experienced abuse, in over 200 languages.
Ontario · 24/7
Victim Support Line
416-314-2447 (Greater Toronto Area)
Ontario government line offering information and referrals to support services for victims of crime, including domestic violence.
Canada · 24/7
Kids Help Phone
Text CONNECT to 686868
Free, confidential support for children, teens and young adults by phone or text, in multiple languages.
Canada · 24/7
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Text 988
Call or text any time if you are thinking about suicide or worried about someone. Trained responders will listen.
Ontario · 24/7
Talk4Healing
1-855-554-HEAL (call or text)
Helpline for Indigenous women across Ontario, by Indigenous women. Talk, text or chat for support and resources.
York Region · 24/7
Yellow Brick House – 24-Hour Crisis Line
Free, confidential crisis and support line (call or text) and emergency shelter for women and children in York Region.
York Region · 24/7
Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region – 24-Hour Crisis Line
Crisis support and shelter for women and children experiencing abuse in York Region.
York Region · 24/7
Women’s Support Network of York Region – Sexual Violence Crisis Line
1-800-263-6734 (toll free)
Confidential crisis support for anyone affected by sexual violence in York Region, with counselling and referrals.
York Region · Weekdays, about 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (call ahead; hours may change on holidays)
Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) – Newmarket Courthouse
647-224-8389
Free family law information and referrals at 50 Eagle Street West, Newmarket, plus free on-site mediation for people at court that day.
Ontario · Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET
Legal Aid Ontario
416-979-1446 (GTA)
Free family law advice by phone and help applying for legal aid. Domestic violence survivors may qualify for two hours of free legal advice.