All B.C. Government
Family Justice
B.C. Home
Attorney General
Family Justice
Other Resources
Attorney General
Family Justice
Basics of Family Law
Separation
and Divorce
How do I know if I am legally separated?
What is
the best way
to settle all
the issues
surrounding our separation?
Is a separation agreement better than going to court?
What is a divorce?
Do I have to have one?
How do I get
a divorce?
Do I need a lawyer to get a divorce?
How long does it usually take to get a divorce?
What if I fear for my safety, or the safety of my children, during our separation or divorce?
How can I
find out
more about separation
and divorce?
Custody,
Guardianship,
Access
What do all these words mean - custody, guardianship, access?
How are these issues usually settled?
Which parenting arrangement is
best for my family?
Is an agreement about custody, guardianship and access better than going to court?
We can't
come to an agreement. How do I obtain an
order from the court?
How can I change my current court order or agreement?
I've heard about grandparents and other family members asking for custody or access. How does that work?
Where can I find more information about custody, guardianship and access?
Child Support
What is child support? Who has to pay it?
How is child
support decided?
What are the child support guidelines?
Is an agreement better than going to court?
We can't come to an agreement. How do I obtain a child support order from the court?
When did the guidelines come into effect?
What if I have an
order or agreement made before that?
How can I change my current child support order or agreement?
How will child support affect my taxes?
Where can
I find more
information about child support?
Spousal Support
Who has to pay
spousal support?
How is spousal
support decided?
Is an agreement better than going to court?
We can't
come to an agreement. How do I obtain a spousal support order from the court?
How will a judge calculate spousal support?
How can I change my current spousal support order or agreement?
How will spousal support affect my taxes?
Where can I find more information about spousal support?
Division
of Property:
Who Gets What
I am married:
what are my rights?
I am not married:
what are my rights?
Which should I choose: agreement or court?
How are
pensions divided?
What about debts?
Where can I find
out more about
division of property?
The Best
Option for You
Cooperative
Approaches:
Mediation and
Collaborative
Law
What is mediation?
Is it appropriate
for everyone?
Why should I choose mediation instead
of court?
How do I find a mediator? How much
will it cost?
Where can I find out more about mediation?
What is
collaborative law?
Why should I choose collaborative law
instead of court?
How do I find a lawyer who practices collaborative law?
How much will it cost?
Where can I find out more about
collaborative law?
If You Go to
Provincial Court
How do I obtain a Provincial Court order?
If you file your application at a Family Justice Registry in Vancouver (Robson Square), Surrey, or Kelowna
If you file your application
elsewhere in BC
What will happen
at my First Appearance hearing?
What if I need an
order right away?
What if my former spouse does not file a Reply, or is late in filing - are there any consequences?
How do I prepare for my First Appearance hearing, or any other court hearing?
What should I do
once I'm in court?
What if we decide to settle before
our court date?
I want to change an existing order.
How do I do that?
What should I do if my former spouse does not obey the court order?
I don't agree with what the judge decided.
Can I get the
court order changed?
Where can I find out more about going
to court?
If You Go to
Supreme Court
How do I obtain a Supreme Court order?
How do I apply for
a desk order?
What will happen at my Judicial Case Conference?
How do I prepare for
my Judicial Case Conference?
What if I need an
order right away?
How do I apply for an interlocutory
(interim) order?
What is a summary trial?
What is a
settlement conference?
What is a mini-trial?
I have decided to
go to a full trial.
What do I have to do?
What should I do on the day of my Judicial Case Conference or trial?
What if we agree on the issues or decide to settle before our court date?
How do I change
an existing
Supreme Court order?
What should I do if my former spouse does not obey the court order?
I don't agree with what the judge/master decided. Can I get the court order changed?
Where can I find out more about going to Supreme Court?
Getting
Legal Advice
Do I need a lawyer?
How can I find a lawyer?
How do I choose the right lawyer?
What do lawyers cost?
Where can I find out more about the law?
Keeping Your
Family Safe
How can I protect
myself and my children
during my separation
or divorce?
What can the police
do to help me?
What is a
protection order?
What is the Protection Order Registry?
What are the differences between a peace bond and a restraining order?
What should I do if my spouse does not follow the conditions of the protection order?
What should I do about custody of my children?
What about access - should I let my children see my spouse?
I am afraid my former spouse will try to abduct (kidnap) my children, and take them out of the province or maybe even out of the country. What should I do?
I think my former spouse has abducted my children. What should I do?
How can I find out more about keeping
my family safe?
Who Can Help?
Family
Justice
Counsellors
When should I see a Family Justice Counsellor?
How much
will it cost?
How can I set up a meeting or find out more about Family Justice Counsellors?
How can I prepare for my meeting with a Family Justice Counsellor?
Parenting
After
Separation
Program
Why
should I go?
What
will I learn?
Do I have
to take
Parenting
After
Separation?
How can I find
out more about
Parenting
After
Separation?
Family
Maintenance
Enforcement
Program
What is the FMEP?
Why should I enroll?
Who can enroll?
How does the FMEP work? What can it do?
What if a payor
can't or won't pay?
What kind of action can the FMEP take to enforce payments?
How does the FMEP decide which enforcement action
to take?
How long will it take before I receive my payments?
I don't know where my former spouse is living. Can the
FMEP help?
What if one of us lives in another province?
How do I enroll?
How can I find out more about the FMEP?
How can I get in touch with a similar program in another province or the United States?
Inter-
jurisdictional
Support Orders
Contact the
Reciprocals Office
Court
Interpreters
I need an interpreter for my court hearing.
What should I do?
How much will it cost?
What about outside court - are interpreters available outside too?
Where can I find out more about interpreters and the court process?
British Columbia's
Family Justice
System
Family justice
reform
The Justice
Services Branch
Family justice
and the courts
Comparison:
Provincial Court
and
Supreme Court responsibilities
Other Resources
Guide to Legal Terms
Family Law,
Legislation
and Court Rules
Brochures,
Booklets, Etc.
Court Forms
How to Reach Us
Legal Services Society
BC Supreme Court Self-Help Information Centre website
Resources
News
Statutes and Regulations
Reports and Publications
B.C. Government Directory
Government
Quick access to information based on government's structure
B.C. Government
Ministries and Organizations
Other Levels of Government
Premier Online
Family Justice
Other Resources
This section includes a Guide to Legal Terms, an outline of the laws that deal with family issues, a list of family law publications, and instructions for reaching the programs and services described on this web site.
Guide to Legal Terms
Family Law, Legislation and Court Rules
Brochures, Booklets, Forms Etc.
Court Forms
How to Reach Us