Nova Scotia Family Court Forms for Grandparents

Nova Scotia family court forms are free from the court registry or the Nova Scotia Courts website. The challenge isn't getting the forms — it's knowing which ones apply to your filing and what to include.

Three Common Forms

Form 59.07 — Notice of Application

For a grandparent seeking decision-making responsibility or parenting time, Form 59.07 includes a request for leave to apply by a person who is not a parent or guardian under the Parenting and Support Act.

When requesting leave, explain why you are applying and the connection or role you have in the child's life. The court decides whether to grant leave before it considers the main parenting application.

Form FD1 — Statement of Contact Information and Circumstances

This form records contact details and circumstances related to the family proceeding; it is not a financial statement.

Form FD2A — Parenting Statement

This form provides information about the child and the parenting arrangements. The court lists Form FD4 as the Statement of Special or Extraordinary Expenses.

Where to File

File at the Supreme Court (Family Division) in your judicial district or at the local Family Court, depending on where you live. Halifax, Sydney, Truro, Kentville, Bridgewater, and Yarmouth each have court offices that accept family law filings.

Bring the originals plus enough copies for every other party (typically the child's parents) and one for the court. The registry staff can tell you how many copies are needed.

Getting Help With the Forms

The forms are straightforward to fill out but the leave application (Form 59.07) requires careful drafting. Use the free resources before paying for a lawyer:

• Summary Advice Counsel at local family courthouses offers free, short appointments and basic family-law guidance
• FLIP Centres in Halifax and Sydney have staff who can help you navigate the forms
• LISNS offers a lawyer referral for a 30-minute consultation at $20 plus tax

If you want a structured worksheet for drafting your leave explanation and organizing your supporting evidence, the Nova Scotia kinship financial help guide includes a court preparation checklist that walks through what the judge looks for.

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