Access a range of BC resources on family law. If you are looking for services or assistance, see Get Help
BC Government: Family Justice
The BC government provides a range of information to help separating British Columbians. From the government website, users can learn more about Family Justice Counsellors, the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, family law court forms, inter-jurisdictional support orders and more.
FamiliesChange.ca
This website provides age-appropriate information for kids, teens and parents about separation and divorce. It is not a how to divorce website. The content helps people deal with the realities of coping with family changes due to separation and divorce. The site includes unique resources for kids and teens to deal with their feelings, communicate with their parents and understand that it’s not their fault.
HowToSeparate.ca
This website provides an online course to help British Columbians learn more about separation and divorce in BC. It is free to use the website and no registration is required. Each year, more than 50,000 users learn about the legal process of separation. Course content is divided into 3 sections: Working it Out, Separating the Finances and Going to Court. The course includes text, videos and worksheets.
SupremeCourtBC.ca
Introduction The Supreme Court of British Columbia hears matters that involve divorce, adoptions, or the division of family property.
Legal Aid Resources
Publications include:
- Living together or Living Apart: Explains the basics of family law in BC.
- For Your Protection: This resource is for people who need protection from violent partners or former partners.
- Parents’ Rights, Kids’ Rights: Explains what happens if the ministry has concerns about your child’s safety or plans to remove your child from your home
Parenting After Separation Course
This online course is provided by the BC Ministry of Attorney General. For many separating parents with issues in BC Provincial Court, it is mandatory to take the course. The course focuses on the emotional experience of separation, communication, problem-solving and making decisions in the best interests of the children.
Parenting after Separation Course for Indigenous Families
Parenting After Separation for Indigenous Families is free. The purpose of this course is to provide information to parents, guardians and other family members who are dealing with family issues as a result of a separation or divorce. Issues might include guardianship, parenting arrangements, contact, child support and spousal support.
Clicklaw
This website provides thousands of legal help resources available from a range of organizations in BC. The Family Law section includes more than 300 publications, websites, videos and other resources. There is also a section on Common Questions that is especially helpful.
JP Boyd on Family Law
JP Boyd on Family Law from Vancouver lawyer John-Paul Boyd, is now updated for the new Family Law Act. Written in plain language, with rollover definitions for legal words and phrases, JP Boyd on Family Law provides practical, in-depth coverage of family law and divorce law in BC.
Dial-A-Law: Divorce and Separation
People’s Law School provides Dial-a-law resources that provide information and an audio script on a range of legal help topics. The separation and divorce content covers the basics of family law legal issues, such as Requirements for Divorce, Desk Order Divorce, Responding to Divorce Proceedings and more.
LSLAP Manual Family Chapter
The Law Students' Legal Advice Program's (LSLAP) Annual Manual provides quick answers to many legal issues. It is made up of 23 chapters which amount to over 1,000 pages of printed materials. Originally designed as an educational resource for LSLAP students, it is now used by hundreds of organizations across British Columbia.