Toronto paralegal
& family legal services.
A clearer way forward.

Liz is authorized by the Law Society as a Family Legal Services Provider. The authorization covers a defined list of family matters, each with its own limits, so the first step is checking whether yours fits.

What the authorization covers: joint and uncontested divorces, where divorce is the only claim and both spouses live in Canada; motions to change child support for a child under 18, where only the table amount is in issue, both parents live in Canada, and the paying parent is employed (not self-employed), earns $150,000 or less, all in Canada, and shown on a T4; responding to support enforcement; filing domestic contracts; change of name; help navigating the family court process.

What it does not cover: Section 7 expenses (special or extraordinary costs on top of the table amount of child support, such as childcare, medical costs, post-secondary education, or extracurricular activities like sports); child support involving self-employment, income over $150,000, income from outside Canada, income that has to be estimated, shared or split parenting time, health and dental coverage, or undue hardship; parenting disputes, dividing property, and divorces with other claims attached. Those need a lawyer.

Licensed paralegals can represent you at the Landlord and Tenant Board. Liz can review your documents, test whether the notice is valid, and explain your options before the hearing.

Have ready: your lease, the notice and every page attached to it, rent records, relevant messages, and any Board documents.

Highway Traffic Act charges are heard in Provincial Offences Court, where licensed paralegals have full rights of audience. Paying a ticket is a guilty plea, so talk to someone first.

A licensed paralegal can represent you on some criminal charges, but not all. Whether Liz can take your case depends on two things: how the Crown decides to proceed, and which offence you're charged with.

Why the first appearance matters: most criminal offences can be prosecuted in one of two ways: by summary conviction, the less serious route, or by indictment. The Crown makes that choice, called the election, usually at or around your first court appearance. Until it does, a charge that could go either way may still end up on the indictable route, which needs a lawyer.

What a paralegal can handle: summary conviction matters on the Law Society's permitted list. Since 2019 these carry a maximum sentence of two years less a day. The list covers the offences that carried six months or less before that change, plus some driving offences: dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, fleeing police, and driving while prohibited.

How Liz can help: she'll look at your charges and tell you early whether your matter is one she can take on. If the Crown proceeds by indictment, or the charge is outside a paralegal's scope, you'll need a lawyer, and she'll tell you that up front.

Unpaid invoices, disputed services and other money claims are heard in Small Claims Court, part of the Superior Court of Justice. Licensed paralegals can represent you there.

Notarizing and commissioning are different services. A commissioner takes your oath or declaration on an affidavit or a statutory declaration. A notary can also certify copies and verify signatures, often for documents going outside Ontario. Check what the receiving organization has asked for before you book.

Notarizing: in person only.

Commissioning: in person, or by live video call. For a video appointment, Liz confirms your identity first with an online ID check, and you stay on camera for the whole signing.

Tell her the type of document and what's been requested, and she'll confirm the fee and what you need to bring. Don't sign anything that must be signed in front of a notary or commissioner until you're there or on the video call.