The Commission des services juridiques (CSJ) is Quebec’s legal aid authority. Its legal aid information page explains how aide juridique works and helps people understand whether they may qualify for free or low-cost legal services.

For people experiencing domestic violence, this matters because legal aid can be a lifeline when you need help with protection orders, separation, custody, housing, immigration-related legal issues, criminal matters, or other urgent family law concerns.

If you are trying to leave an unsafe relationship, legal costs can feel impossible. A clear legal aid resource can make it easier to:

• understand your rights,
• find out if you qualify for help,
• get support without paying private lawyer fees upfront,
• act faster when safety is urgent.

Even if you are not ready to leave, knowing your options can help you plan quietly and safely.

This resource may be especially relevant for:

• survivors of intimate partner violence,
• people with children who need custody or parenting arrangements,
• people seeking a separation or divorce,
• people needing a protection order or emergency court help,
• newcomers or people with immigration concerns connected to abuse,
• people with limited income who cannot afford a lawyer,
• friends, advocates, and service providers helping someone in crisis.

Legal aid in Quebec may help with many legal problems, including family and civil matters, depending on eligibility and the case type. For survivors, common needs can include:

• family law: separation, custody, access, child support, parenting time,
• protection and safety-related legal steps,
• housing issues if abuse affects where you live,
• criminal law matters if there are charges, warrants, or court dates,
• immigration or status-related concerns in some situations.

Eligibility rules and covered services can change, so it is important to confirm directly with legal aid.

Legal aid usually looks at your financial situation and the type of legal problem. If you are unsure, it is still worth asking. Many people assume they will not qualify and never apply.

If it is safe, try to keep:

• ID documents,
• proof of income or benefits,
• lease or mortgage papers,
• court papers or police documents,
• any messages, emails, or notes about abuse.

If collecting documents could put you at risk, do not do it. Your safety matters more than paperwork.

If your phone, email, or device may be monitored, consider:

• using a trusted friend’s phone,
• calling from a safe public place,
• clearing call logs or browser history if that is safe to do,
• asking a shelter, advocate, or community worker to help you make contact.

If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services in your area right away. Legal aid is important, but it is not a substitute for emergency protection.

If French or English is difficult for you, ask whether interpretation or accessible communication options are available. You deserve to understand what is happening.

Legal aid offices may ask questions about:

• your income and assets,
• your household situation,
• the legal issue you are facing,
• whether your matter is urgent.

You do not need to tell your whole story at once. It is okay to say: “I am not safe and I need help understanding my options.”

If speaking is hard, you can bring notes or ask a trusted person to help you prepare.

• Do not use a device, email account, or browser that an abusive person can access if it could increase danger.
• If you are hiding plans to leave, think carefully before saving documents in shared cloud accounts.
• If you have children, consider how school, daycare, and custody-related information is shared.
• If you are worried about being tracked, ask a local shelter or advocate about safer communication options.

• Commission des services juridiques / legal aid offices: for eligibility and legal aid applications.
• Local domestic violence shelters and advocacy organizations: for safety planning, court accompaniment, and emotional support.
• Community legal clinics: for information and referrals.
• Police or emergency services: if you are in immediate danger.

Look for your local legal aid program, domestic violence hotline, shelter, or community legal clinic. The same general advice applies: ask about eligibility, safety, and urgent family law help.

This resource page is helpful, but it does not guarantee that every survivor will qualify or that every legal issue will be covered. Legal aid rules can change, and the exact services available may depend on your income, location, and the nature of your case.

If you are unsure, it is still worth reaching out. A first call can help you understand your options without committing to anything.

If you are reading this while scared, exhausted, or unsure what to do next: you do not have to solve everything today. One small step—asking about legal aid, speaking to a shelter, or writing down your questions—can be enough for now.