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Intake may be a way for you to begin your court application, for certain issues. Intake processes differ from court to court, so you should call your local court to find out their specific process. For some courts, you will have to call and book an intake appointment, and during your appointment you will get help from court staff to fill out your court forms, either in a group information session or one-on-one. In other courts, you may have to complete some forms first before you meet with an intake person.

Intake usually deals with issues relating to children, like custody, access or child support/maintenance, or spousal support/maintenance. Intake usually does not deal with issues like divorce.

Intake is often used by self-represented individuals - people who do not have lawyers. Sometimes, though, people with lawyers may be able to start their applications through the intake process.

Court staff, including intake officers, cannot give you legal advice or tell you what you should ask for in your application.

Contact the appropriate court to find out if they have an intake service, and if you may be able to use this service when starting your application. Click here for court contact information.

Note: if you are starting an application for child custody or access, you likely have to file your application at the court nearest to where the child is living. If you are applying to deal with support issues, where you file your application will be determined by where you, the other party, and perhaps the children, are living, and whether or not you are divorced from the other person. Speak with a lawyer for advice about where to file your application. For information on how to find a lawyer, click here.