What is the Parenting After Separation program in BC and do I have to take it?
This answer covers the law of British Columbia.
In the Provincial Court, you generally must complete the Parenting After Separation (PAS) course before your first court date, the family management conference, unless you have an official exemption. It applies to applications about parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, companion animal property or protection orders.
PAS is free and online. Options are Parenting After Separation, offered in English, French and Punjabi, and Parenting After Separation for Indigenous Families, and a Certificate of Completion is given to the Provincial Court. In the Supreme Court it is not mandatory, though a judge may suggest it.
You may be exempt if you finished PAS within the last two years, the matter is only companion animal property or only spousal support with no children, every child is 19 or older, you cannot access the course online or in your language, literacy or a serious medical condition prevents it, or all parties file a consent order. A Family Justice Counsellor can explain exemptions and how to register.
The Provincial Court Family Rules also require each party to complete a parenting education program before the family management conference in some registries, with exemptions including completion in the prior 2 years.
Key takeaways
- In the Provincial Court you must complete Parenting After Separation before your first court date, the family management conference, unless you have an official exemption.
- The course applies to applications about parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, companion animal property or protection orders.
- PAS is free and online, and a Certificate of Completion is given to the Provincial Court.
- PAS is not mandatory in the Supreme Court, although a judge may suggest it.