Legal Aid Ontario Introducing New Programs

The director general for the Northwest District for Legal Aid Ontario is promoting the benefits of two new pilot programs to help separating couples.
One program will fund 10-hours of legal advice for each member of a couple, so that they can come to a separation agreement.
The other program will give each partner entering into a mediation process a total of 6-hours of independent legal advice.
Andreas Asmus says the programs will make a big difference for low-income families.
The programs are expected to help families who are feeling the impact of a long, drawn-out conflict over things like custody, that could be resolved with the help of a lawyer.
Asmus says the moves should free up more court time and reduce the number of people representing themselves in court.
He adds they will soon be providing advice lawyers for a few hours at court houses in Dryden, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances.
For more information call Legal Aid Ontario at 1-800-668-8258.