Separation and divorce
Resource directory - Separation and divorce
Legal resources
Bailiffs
A bailiff can, among other things, deliver legal documents and seize property or money.
Find a bailiff - French only (Chambre des huissiers de justice du Québec)
Commissioners for oaths
A Commissioner for oaths allows you to sign a document under oath.
You can be sworn free of charge at a courthouse, a Services Québec office, or a Community Justice Center.
You can also find a Commissioner for Oaths by using the search engine provided by the Ministère de la Justice du Québec.
Family mediators
A family mediator helps you reach an agreement to settle the consequences of your separation.
Finding a certified family mediator (Justice Québec)
Find a decision
The Société québécoise d'information juridique (SOQUIJ) has a search engine where you can find reasoned decisions rendered by courts, tribunals and certain bodies. Reasoned decisions are judgments where the decision-maker explains the reasons for rendering the decision in writing.
This service is free of charge.
Find a decision - French only (SOQUIJ)
Lawyers
A lawyer can help you understand your rights, represent you in court, and draft legal proceedings.
Find a lawyer (Barreau du Québec)
A lawyer can represent you free of charge or for a maximum fee of $800 if you qualify for legal aid.
Notaries
A notary can, among other things, help you understand your rights, draft amicable separation agreements, formalize the sale of a house, and prepare wills.
Find a notary (Chambre des notaires du Québec)
Psychosocial support
Guidance counsellor
A guidance counsellor can help you reflect on your career choice or your return to the job market.
Find a guidance counsellor (website in French only - Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d'orientation du Québec)
Info-Social 811
8-1-1 (free) - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Contact Info social 811 for advice from a psychosocial professional. If needed, he or she will direct you to another resource in the health and social services network or to a community organization.
Marriage and Family Therapist
A marriage and family therapist can help you improve or re-establish communication in your relationship or family.
Find a marriage and family therapist (website on French only - Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec)
Psychoeducators
A psychoeducator can help you if you’re having difficulty adjusting to a family, personal, marital, or professional life event, no matter how old you are.
Psychoeducators work:
- in schools
- in the health and social services network (youth centres, CLSCs, ID-ASD rehabilitation centres, hospitals)
- in community organizations
- as self-employed workers
Find a psychoeducator (website in French only - Ordre des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec)
Psychologist and psychotherapist
A psychologist or a psychotherapist can help you better understand your emotions and provide you with tools to resolve your personal, family, or marital problems.
Find a psychologist and psychotherapist (website in French only - Ordre des psychologues du Québec)
Quebec suicide prevention line
1-866-277-3553 or by text at 535353 - (free) - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Are you having suicidal thoughts, or are you worried about a loved one? Call the Centre de prévention du suicide du Québec for professional support in your area.
This service is confidential and bilingual.
Find a suicide prevention centre near you (Website in French only - Regroupement des centres de prévention du suicide du Québec)
Social worker
A social worker can help you find concrete solutions to overcome your interpersonal, organizational, or functional challenges. He or she can also conduct a psychosocial assessment as part of a legal proceeding.
Find a social worker (website in French only - Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec)
211 Québec
2-1-1 - (free) - 7 days a week - Greater Montreal area: from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; the Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches, and Haute-Yamaska regions: from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., from Monday to Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact 211 to find the nearest public and parapublic community resources.
This service is confidential and bilingual.
The database for your region is also available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: qc.211.ca
Financial
Actuary
An actuary can help you assess the partitionable value of your retirement plans, investments, and publicly traded shares. He or she can also make a projection of your income. This information is sometimes necessary in a legal proceeding.
Find an actuary (Canadian Institute of Actuaries)
Chartered Appraiser
The chartered appraiser independently evaluates the market value of a property.
Find a chartered appraiser (website in French only - Ordre des évaluateurs agréés du Québec)
Assistance and resources
Crime Victims Assistance Centre (CAVAC)
CAVACs provide front-line services for crime victims, their loved ones, and crime witnesses.
CAVAC staff can provide information about your rights and recourses and about how the justice system works. They can help you with any steps you take. They can also provide psychosocial services and referrals to specialized resources.
To make an appointment at a CAVAC resource in your area: 1-866-532-2822 (free)
Centre d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (CALACS)
CALACS are sexual assault support centres for women and teenage girls who have been sexually assaulted.
Some of the services offered:
- Telephone support
- Support groups
- Meetings with counsellors
- Support for steps taken with the police, in court, or at the hospital, for applications for compensation, or in interactions with employers and institutions.
Find a CALACS (CALACS)
DCPP Telephone line to inform victims of domestic violence or sexual violence
1-877-547-3727 (free) - Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Are you experiencing domestic violence or sexual violence? Are you considering making a complaint? The DCPP telephone line is a free and confidential service that allows you to ask a prosecuting attorney specializing in sexual or domestic offence cases any questions you may have.
This service is confidential and bilingual.
Sexual Violence Helpline
1-888-933-9007 (free) – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This helpline is a listening, assistance and referral service for victims of sexual assault and their loved ones.
This service is confidential and bilingual.
Support centres and shelters for women victims of domestic violence
Support centres and shelters help women victims of domestic violence and their children.
Some of the services offered:
- Telephone support, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
- Safe accommodation
- Information, referrals, and support and help with any actions you take
- Defence of your rights
- Post-shelter support
- Social activities.
To find a shelter near you, visit the following sites:
- Find a support centre and shelter (Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale - website in French only),
- Find a shelter (Fédération des maisons d’hébergement pour femmes - website in French only).
Rebâtir - Free legal consultation services
1-833-732-2847 (free) – Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rebâtir is a service that provides four hours of free legal consultation to all victims of sexual or domestic violence.
Lawyers trained in this subject matter are available to answer questions from victims about all areas of the law.
This service is confidential and bilingual.
SOS Violence conjugale
Emergency line: 1-800-363-9010 (free) – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
SOS Violence conjugale helps victims of domestic violence and anyone affected by domestic violence.
Staff is there to listen and direct you to specialized resources that can meet your specific needs, whether an emergency shelter, psychological support, help with any steps you take, or more information.
This service is confidential and bilingual.