Difference between revisions of "Starting a Court Proceeding in a Family Matter"

Most court proceedings are started in the Provincial Court by filing an ''Application to Obtain an Order'' in Form 1. (Court proceedings can also be started with an Application to Change or Cancel an Order in Form 2 where there is already a court order or separation agreement in place.) The person beginning the action, the ''applicant'', fills out the Application to Obtain an Order and provides certain information, including: the applicant's name and address; the name and address of the person against whom the application is being made, the ''respondent''; a list of the orders the applicant is asking the court to make; and, a very brief statement of the relevant facts.  

Personal service means physically handing the Application to Obtain an Order to the Respondent. Rule 2(3) of the [http://canlii.ca/t/85pb Provincial Court (Family) Rules] says that an applicant cannot personally be the one who serves a respondent. You must either pay a process server to do it or enlist the help of a friend over the age of majority. Although this ought go without saying, don't use one of your children to serve your ex.