Ontario legal guide · Updated 2026-06-16
Motion to Change — Ontario Family Court (Form 15)
A Motion to Change is how you ask an Ontario family court to vary an existing final order or written separation agreement. You must show a material change in circumstances since the last order.
Three paths
- Consent — both parties agree; file Form 15C (or Form 15D where the only change is to child support).
- Administrative — child-support-only changes through the Online Child Support Service.
- Contested — Form 15 served on the other party; case conference, settlement conference, motion, trial.
Required disclosure
- Updated financial statement (Form 13 or 13.1).
- 3 most recent tax returns and Notices of Assessment.
- Recent pay stubs.
- For parenting changes: updated Form 35.1.
Timeline
Timelines vary widely by courthouse and case. As a rough estimate only — not a rule — a contested motion to change often takes a year or more to resolve.
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Frequently asked questions
What forms do I need?
Form 15 (Motion to Change), Form 15A (Change Information Form), updated Form 13 or 13.1 financial statement, and Form 35.1 if a parenting claim is involved.
What is a 'material change in circumstances'?
A change that was not foreseen at the time of the last order and that, if known then, would likely have resulted in different terms. Common examples: significant income change, relocation, new child, change in caregiving.
Can we do this on consent?
Yes. Form 15C (Consent Motion to Change) — or Form 15D (Consent Motion to Change Child Support) where the only change is to child support — can be filed without a hearing.
Is there a filing fee?
There is no separate court fee to file a motion to change in a family case (O. Reg. 293/92, s. 1.2). Fee waivers are available for the court fees that do apply.
Quorex provides legal information and procedural guidance, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For legal advice, contact Legal Aid Ontario (1-800-668-8258) or a licensed lawyer or paralegal.