Preparing for a Family Court Motion When You Represent Yourself in Ontario

PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE CANADA | GENERAL PUBLIC LEGAL EDUCATION

Article #27 • Self Representation in Family Court

Preparing a family court motion as a self represented litigant in Ontario involves rules about when a motion may be brought, what documents must be served and filed, how evidence is presented, and how the hearing is confirmed. This article explains the general Ontario framework for a family court motion self represented Ontario litigants may encounter. It does not advise whether a person should bring a motion or what orders to request.

What a family court motion means

A motion asks a judge to make an order during an existing family court case. Motions often address temporary or procedural issues before the case is finally resolved. The person bringing the motion is the moving party; the other party is the responding party.

A motion differs from a conference or trial. Conferences help identify issues, encourage disclosure, explore settlement and manage the case. A trial determines disputed issues after evidence is heard. A motion asks the court to decide a particular request at an interim or procedural stage.

Ontario rules and court-specific practice

This article is Ontario-specific. Family motions in Ontario are governed principally by the Family Law Rules, including Rule 14. Those rules apply in the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice, subject to the jurisdiction of each court. Court-specific and regional practice directions can add scheduling, filing, page-limit, technology and hearing requirements.

Important: A province-wide Family Law Rule is only part of the procedure. A self-represented litigant should also check the current instructions for the particular court location. Superior Court regional practice directions, local scheduling procedures and electronic-document systems may affect how a motion is prepared and heard.

When a motion may be brought

Ontario generally requires a case conference dealing with the substantive issues before a notice of motion for a temporary order is served or heard. Rule 14 recognizes exceptions, including urgency, hardship and circumstances where a conference is not required in the interests of justice. Consent and procedural, uncomplicated or unopposed motions may also be treated differently.

Whether an exception applies is a legal question. Calling a matter urgent does not itself satisfy the legal test. Legal advice may be especially useful before seeking a motion before a conference or without notice.

Types of family court motions in Ontario

Type of motion

General purpose

Typical feature

Motion for a temporary order

Seeks an interim order while the case continues.

Usually Form 14 plus affidavit evidence in Form 14A.

Motion on consent

Seeks an order where parties agree to the terms.

Consent may simplify the hearing, but forms and approval still apply.

Form 14B motion

For permitted procedural, uncomplicated or unopposed matters.

Uses Form 14B instead of the usual Form 14/14A package.

Urgent motion with notice

Seeks an urgent hearing while giving notice.

Urgency and scheduling rules must be addressed.

Motion without notice

Seeks an order before advance notice is given.

Available only in specified Rule 14 circumstances.

A motion to change a final order or agreement is a different process governed primarily by Rule 15. It should not be confused with a Rule 14 motion for a temporary or procedural order in an ongoing case.

Documents a self-represented litigant may encounter

For a temporary-order motion, Ontario Court of Justice guidance identifies Form 14 (Notice of Motion) and Form 14A (Affidavit) as core documents. Form 14 states the orders requested; Form 14A contains sworn or affirmed evidence. Other documents depend on the issue and court.

• Form 14: Notice of Motion, for many motions requesting a temporary order;
• Form 14A: Affidavit, containing the evidence relied on for or against the motion;
• Form 14B: Motion Form, where Rule 14 permits a procedural, uncomplicated or unopposed request;
• Form 6B: Affidavit of Service, used to show that required documents were served;
• Form 14C: Confirmation of Motion, used to confirm the hearing and identify the issues and materials the judge should review;
• updated financial disclosure where support or other financial issues make it necessary; and
• a draft order or written argument where the applicable court or practice direction requires or expects one.

Court forms change. Use the current official Ontario family forms rather than an old saved copy or a form from another proceeding.

Service, filing and confirmation deadlines

Deadlines are central to motion preparation. Current Ontario Court of Justice guidance states that, for a motion on notice under Rule 14, the moving party serves Form 14 and Form 14A no later than six days before the motion and files them no later than four days before it. Responding materials are generally served and filed at least four days before the motion. Rule 14 also governs replies and other materials.

A motion must also be confirmed. In Superior Court, the province-wide practice direction requires Form 14C by 2:00 p.m. three business days before the motion, subject to exceptions such as urgent without-notice motions and earlier regional deadlines for some long motions. A missed confirmation can prevent the motion from being heard as scheduled.

Because holidays, service methods and regional directions can affect timing, exact deadlines should be checked against the current rules and the court location before service or filing.

Preparing the affidavit evidence

Family motions are commonly decided on a written evidentiary record. Affidavits should present relevant facts, with focused exhibits where permitted, rather than simply repeat accusations or legal conclusions.

Superior Court also controls the volume and format of motion material. Its province-wide family practice direction currently sets narrative page limits for primary affidavits, limits unnecessary exhibits, and requires at least 12-point font and double spacing. Regional requirements should also be checked.

Organizing the motion record for the hearing

Preparation also means tracking the filed version of each document, proof of service, prior orders, financial material, exhibits, confirmation forms and any permitted written submissions or authorities.

Superior Court uses electronic document systems. The province-wide practice direction states that uploading to Case Center is not filing. In most regions court staff upload filed materials for self-represented persons before trial, while Toronto uses different electronic arrangements. Current local instructions should be checked.

What may happen at the motion hearing

At the hearing, the judge may review the motion, affidavits, exhibits, prior orders and permitted written argument. Each party may address the requests and the filed record. The judge may make an order, reserve a decision, adjourn the matter or give other procedural directions.

A motion is not a second opportunity to add unlimited facts orally. What may be relied on depends on the filed evidentiary record and the judge’s directions.

Costs can be decided after a motion

Ontario Family Law Rule 24 deals with costs. Following 2025 amendments, the court generally determines costs after a step or expressly reserves the issue. There is a presumption that a successful party is entitled to costs for the step, subject to exceptions and factors such as divided success and unreasonable behaviour.

Costs are fact-specific and discretionary; the presumption does not predict the result of any particular motion. Child protection cases have a different costs framework.

General practical preparation steps

• confirm whether the procedure is a Rule 14 motion, Rule 15 motion to change, conference issue or something else;
• read the current Family Law Rules and applicable practice directions;
• confirm whether a case conference is required first;
• use current official forms and clearly identify the requested orders;
• keep affidavit evidence and exhibits focused on the motion issues;
• calendar service, filing, response, reply and confirmation deadlines;
• retain proof of service and accepted filed versions;
• check whether financial disclosure, a draft order, written argument or authorities are required;
• confirm the hearing mode and related instructions; and
• keep the materials the judge will review organized and accessible.

Important educational considerations

A motion can affect parenting, support, disclosure, property-related issues and the timetable of the case. Different orders have different legal tests, so general procedure cannot answer whether a particular order is available or what evidence will satisfy the test.

Emotional and family impact

Family motions often occur while conflict is active and temporary arrangements remain unresolved. Organizing documents, separating evidence from argument and using appropriate supports can reduce practical strain without changing the legal issues.

When professional assistance may be appropriate

Legal advice may be especially useful for urgent or without-notice motions, family violence or child-safety concerns, complex financial relief, jurisdiction disputes, evidentiary problems or long motions. Limited-scope services may sometimes be available where full representation is not.

How Presumption of Innocence Canada may help

Presumption of Innocence Canada provides general public legal education and moderated discussion groups. PIC does not provide legal advice, representation, strategy or case-specific guidance and does not determine what motion someone should bring or what order a court should make.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a family court motion in Ontario?

It asks a judge to make an order during an existing family case. The procedure depends on the request and the applicable rules and court directions.

Can a self represented person bring a family court motion in Ontario?

Yes. A party may represent themselves but remains responsible for complying with the rules, forms, deadlines and court directions.

Do I need a case conference before bringing a motion?

Usually. A temporary-order motion normally follows a case conference dealing with the issues, subject to Rule 14 exceptions and different treatment for some consent, procedural and urgent matters.

What forms are commonly used for a family court motion self represented Ontario litigants bring?

A temporary-order motion commonly uses Forms 14 and 14A. Form 14B may apply to procedural, uncomplicated or unopposed matters; Forms 6B and 14C are also commonly relevant.

What is Form 14C?

Form 14C confirms that the motion is proceeding and identifies the issues, materials and time required. The current deadline must be checked carefully.

Can I bring an urgent motion without telling the other party first?

Only in specified Rule 14 circumstances. Whether those circumstances exist is a legal question, and an order made without notice generally returns to court for further review.

Is a motion to change the same as a regular motion?

No. Changing a final order or agreement is governed principally by Rule 15 and uses a different process and forms.

Can the court order costs after a family motion?

Yes. Rule 24 generally creates a presumption in favour of the successful party for a step, subject to exceptions and judicial discretion.

Conclusion

Preparing for a family court motion as a self represented litigant in Ontario requires attention to both the request and the procedure. The Family Law Rules, official forms, deadlines, confirmation requirements, affidavit evidence and local directions work together. For a family court motion self represented Ontario process, the current official rules and the instructions for the exact court location are the safest educational starting points.

Related educational resources

• Representing Yourself in Family Court
• Preparing Family Court Documents
• Writing an Affidavit When You Represent Yourself
• Organizing Your Court Documents in Canada
• Creating a Court Chronology in Canada
• Legal Research for Self-Represented Litigants in Canada
• Limited-Scope Legal Services in Canada
• Legal Aid and Other Legal Help in Canada

PIC editorial review

Editorial review completed for CRA-compatible public education, neutrality, accidental legal advice, unsupported claims, Ontario terminology, keyword use, repetition, outcome promises and source verification. The article explains motion procedure without advising whether to bring a motion, what relief to seek or how a judge will decide a case.

Suggested authoritative Canadian sources for verification

• Ontario e-Laws for the Family Law Rules and related legislation.
• Ontario Court of Justice and Ontario Superior Court of Justice official websites.
• Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General family-court guides and official court forms.
• Applicable Superior Court regional practice directions and local court scheduling notices.
• Legal Aid Ontario and the Law Society of Ontario for current legal-help information where referenced.

Educational disclaimer

This article provides general educational information only. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Legal procedures and rights may vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Anyone facing a legal matter should obtain advice from a qualified lawyer.

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Preparing for a Family Court Motion in Ontario | PIC

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Learn how Ontario family court motions generally work for self-represented litigants, including Rule 14, affidavits, forms, deadlines, confirmation and hearing preparation.

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