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Are you experiencing domestic violence or sexual violence?

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Separation and divorce

Representing yourself in court: What's involved?

More and more people are starting their legal proceedings without being represented by a lawyer, whether by choice or because they lack the financial resources. With some exceptions, the court can’t force you to hire a lawyer. However, representing yourself in court comes with a few challenges. Here is an overview of what this involves.

Are you in a situation of domestic violence?

There are free resources to support you in your divorce or separation proceedings (e.g., free legal consultations, people to accompany you to the courthouse, etc.).

See the section on “sexual and domestic violence” in our resource directory to learn more.

Drafting your own legal documents

Without a lawyer, you’ll have to draft the documents needed for your legal proceedings on your own. Therefore, you must have sufficient mastery of French or English and be able to use a computer.

It’s important to note that written applications filed with the court must comply with certain formalities. Unfortunately, guides or free models are not always available to help you draft your documents. Therefore, you may need to do research to complete your file.

WARNING

The information presented on this page is not a legal opinion or legal advice. This page explains in a general way the law that applies in Quebec. To obtain a legal opinion or legal advice on your personal situation, consult a legal professional.

New on JuridiQC!

Joint Divorce Help Tool

Free and easy to use, JuridiQC’s help tool assists married couples who don’t have children together as they prepare their joint divorce application. From filling out documents to filing them at the courthouse, we provide step-by-step guidance.