Recent policy updates from OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, have drawn attention to the limits of what artificial intelligence can do when it comes to legal guidance. While AI tools remain powerful for learning and research, they are no longer permitted to provide personalized legal, medical, or financial advice. Instead, they are positioned as educational tools that help people understand general principles and processes.
For individuals exploring legal topics—particularly those navigating separation, divorce, or family law issues—this change is important to understand. It affects how you can use AI tools like ChatGPT to research Ontario family law and when you should seek advice directly from a lawyer.
What Has Changed
As reported by the International Business Times in October 2025, ChatGPT has introduced new restrictions that prevent it from drafting lawsuit templates, giving personalized legal strategies, or offering situation-specific recommendations. The system can still explain how laws work, outline steps in a process, or describe documents such as separation agreements or parenting plans. However, it will now stop short of telling you exactly what to file, sign, or argue.
Why These Rules Exist
Legal matters are complex and depend heavily on each individual’s circumstances. What is fair or effective in one case may be inappropriate or even harmful in another. By drawing a clear line between education and advice, AI developers aim to reduce the risk of users acting on incomplete or inaccurate information. The change also protects users from misunderstanding the role of AI as a professional substitute.
AI models can sometimes produce errors or “hallucinations,” generating confident but incorrect statements. Restricting personalized advice helps prevent people from relying on unverified outputs for decisions that carry legal or financial consequences.
How AI Still Helps the Public
Although AI tools will no longer give direct legal advice, they continue to make the law more accessible. Many Ontarians struggle to interpret court forms, statutes, or case law written in highly technical language. AI can simplify explanations, summarize processes, and clarify terminology.
For example, ChatGPT can help users understand what a cohabitation agreement is, how child support is calculated under Ontario’s Guidelines, or what steps occur during a case conference. It can point to the importance of independent legal advice and help you prepare informed questions for your lawyer. In this way, AI enhances access to legal information without replacing the expertise of trained professionals.
What This Means for Ontarians
The public’s access to general legal knowledge remains strong. You can still use AI tools for background learning, to better understand your rights, or to prepare for discussions with your lawyer. What has changed is that AI will no longer simulate a lawyer’s role by recommending actions or drafting specific legal documents tailored to your circumstances.
When you are dealing with issues like property division, parenting arrangements, or support obligations, it remains essential to obtain professional legal advice from a qualified Ontario lawyer. Only a lawyer can evaluate the facts of your situation, ensure compliance with current legislation, and help you make decisions that protect your interests.
A Balanced Approach
AI can and should continue to play a role in legal education and access to justice. When used responsibly, it empowers the public to understand their rights and obligations before meeting with a lawyer. The safest approach is to view AI as a starting point for learning, not as a substitute for legal counsel.
At Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers, we support innovation that helps Ontarians make informed choices about family law. AI tools like ChatGPT can help explain the law, but it takes an experienced lawyer to apply it to your life.
