Family Justice

Basics of Family Law

Spousal Support

Where can I find more information on spousal support?

If you are receiving BC Employment and Assistance, please contact your Family Maintenance Worker or go to the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance web site.

(Under BC law, anyone who applies for BC Employment and Assistance - and who has the right to receive spousal or child support - must "assign" their maintenance rights to the government. That means the BC government takes over the responsibility to obtain, change and enforce the order on that person's behalf.)

For everyone else, a lawyer is a good source of information and advice. Our section on Getting Legal Advice explains what a lawyer can do for you and how to find one you want to work with. In addition:

  • Dial-A-Law - operated by the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association - offers information on a range of family law topics, including how support is decided for both common-law and married couples.
The Legal Services Society has published:
  • Two booklets on how to change child or spousal support orders in Provincial (Family) Court, one for couples who agree to the change and one for couples who don't.

  • A video called Making Your Case: The Family Court Process, which shows a couple going through the process of changing a support order in court. The video is available both online and on cassette. To order the cassette for a free two-week loan within BC, fill out the video booking form. [PDF]

  • The Legal Services Society has published a booklet that discuss the legal issues surrounding separation and divorce:

    Living Together, Living Apart: Common-law relationships, marriage, separation, and divorce [PDF]

    You can also order them by fax at (604) 682-0965, or by e-mail at distribution@lss.bc.ca

  • The Legal Services Society also offers on-line self-help kits for parents who want to get or change a child support order originally made in either Supreme Court or Provincial Court. These kits are helpful as a general guides for changing other orders - such as custody or access - as well.