- Pro bono programs set their own eligibility rules and booking steps, so confirm them with Access Pro Bono directly before you rely on them.
- Family Justice Centres offer free services to parents and family members dealing with separation or divorce.
- A lawyer can sometimes be hired for only part of your matter, which is called unbundling.
You may earn too much to qualify for legal aid, yet find that paying a lawyer for a whole separation is out of reach. Many people in British Columbia land in that gap, and pro bono help is one of the places they look.
This article explains how to approach Access Pro Bono, which questions to ask before you book, and what other family law help exists while you wait or if it is not a fit.
This article covers the law of British Columbia.
What pro bono help usually means
Pro bono means a lawyer gives legal help without charging the person. Programs differ in who they serve, which problems they take on and how much help a visit includes. Access Pro Bono is one place people in British Columbia turn to when they do not qualify for legal aid.
Income limits, clinic types, locations and booking steps can change over time. Check them with Access Pro Bono directly before you plan around them, and do not assume that a family law clinic is running in your community.
Questions to ask before you book
- Does Access Pro Bono currently offer family law help in my community, in person, by phone or by video?
- What income or other eligibility tests apply to me and my household?
- Does the help cover my kind of problem, such as parenting, support, property or divorce?
- Is the help a short advice session, or can someone assist with forms and court steps?
- How do I book, and how long is the usual wait?
- What documents should I bring?
Other free family law help while you sort it out
Family Justice Centres offer free services to parents and other family members dealing with separation or divorce, including help with parenting arrangements, guardianship, child and spousal support, contact with a child, and property division for a companion animal. They also provide a needs assessment, legal information with referrals for advice, and referrals to community agencies.
Lawyer advice at a Family Justice Centre depends on your situation, and staff otherwise refer you elsewhere. Some referred services are based on financial need, so you may be asked about income. Justice Access Centres also offer free family justice services.
If you are experiencing family violence, Family Law Centres are law clinics funded by the Province and delivered by Legal Aid BC that give free, trauma-informed legal help to survivors who cannot afford a lawyer. You must be experiencing family violence and have at least one additional eligible legal issue. Survivors who fled an abusive partner within the past six months are prioritized, but that is a priority and not a general waiver of the other requirements.
Paying a lawyer for only part of the work
Unbundling means a lawyer provides legal services for part of your legal matter, and you and the lawyer decide which tasks each of you will do. For example, you might hire a lawyer to review an agreement while you handle the rest yourself. The Law Society of BC developed a Family Unbundled Legal Services toolkit with Mediate BC, including sample retainer agreements, available through Courthouse Libraries BC.
In a property division claim, the Supreme Court may order an interim distribution of family property at issue to fund family dispute resolution, all or part of a proceeding, or gathering information or evidence, if it is satisfied the order is necessary for one of those purposes and would not be harmful to the other spouse's interests. This order is made only by the Supreme Court and is not a general costs order. Whether it could apply to you depends on your facts, so ask a lawyer.
What to do next
- Contact Access Pro Bono directly and confirm eligibility, current services and booking steps.
- Call a Family Justice Centre at 1-844-747-3963, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, for a needs assessment and referrals.
- Write down your key dates, children's details, income and a list of property and debts.
- Collect any court orders, agreements and recent financial documents.
- If safety is a concern, ask about safety referrals such as VictimLinkBC or police.
- Consider a lawyer for one defined task if you cannot afford full representation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Access Pro Bono if I do not qualify for legal aid?
That depends on Access Pro Bono's own eligibility rules, which can change. Contact them directly to confirm whether you qualify and what family law help is available in your area.
Can the court make my spouse pay my legal fees?
Part 10 of the Family Law Act has no general costs provision, though it has narrower expense provisions, such as allocating children's lawyer fees among the parties. In a property division claim, the Supreme Court can sometimes order an interim distribution of family property to fund dispute resolution or a proceeding. A lawyer can tell you whether either applies.
Can a lawyer help with just one part of my case?
Often yes. This is called unbundling, where the lawyer does part of the matter and you and the lawyer decide who does which tasks.
Is there help if I am experiencing family violence?
Family Law Centres give free legal help to survivors who cannot afford a lawyer, if they are experiencing family violence and have at least one additional eligible legal issue. Those who fled an abusive partner within the past six months are prioritized.
Sources
- BC Gov News – Attorney General release, July 8, 2026 — news.gov.bc.ca
- Province of BC – Family Justice Centre services — www2.gov.bc.ca
- Province of BC – Mediation at Justice Access Centres — www2.gov.bc.ca
- Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c 25, s. 89 — bclaws.gov.bc.ca
- Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c 25, Part 10 — bclaws.gov.bc.ca
- Law Society of BC – Unbundling legal services — lawsociety.bc.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
This is a family law question
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