Contents
- B.C. Home
- Ministry of Justice
- 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
- Separation and Divorce
- 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
- 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?
- Cooperative Approaches: Mediation and Collaborative Law
- Who Can Help?
- Family Justice Counsellors
- Parenting After Separation Program
- 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 country?
- Interjurisdictional Support Orders
- Court Interpreters
- British Columbia's Family Justice System
- Other Resources
- Feedback
- Basics of Family Law
- Resources
