Family Law Information Online in British Columbia: Where to Look

Searching for family law answers online can bring up government pages, legal aid material, community guides and plain advertising all at once. When you are separating, it is hard to tell which source to trust.

This article helps you sort the main kinds of resources in British Columbia, shows which one fits which question, and gives you some ways to check whether a page is reliable.

This article covers the law of British Columbia.

Match your question to the right kind of resource

Sites such as Clicklaw, Family Justice BC and Legal Aid BC each have a different focus. Check each site's own description of what it covers. The table below shows how to think about which kind of help fits which need.

How to judge whether a page is trustworthy

• Is it about British Columbia, and does it refer to the Family Law Act of British Columbia?
• Who runs the site: a government body, a legal aid or public legal education organization, or a business selling services?
• Is there a date showing when it was last reviewed? Thresholds and programs change.
• Does it explain general information rather than promise a result?
• Does it tell you when to see a lawyer?
• Does it match what a government service or the Act itself says?

If two pages disagree, trust the one that names the law and shows a recent review date, and then confirm with a Family Justice Centre or a lawyer.

Government services behind the websites

A website is a good starting point, but some questions need a person. Family Justice Centres are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at the toll-free number 1-844-747-3963, and services are also available by telephone and video conference for families separated by distance.

They provide a needs assessment, legal information with referrals for advice, safety referrals to VictimLinkBC or police, referral to the BC Family Maintenance Agency if child support is not being received, a free Parenting After Separation course, and information on Provincial Court processes. They also offer the Online Divorce Assistant for joint uncontested divorces. That tool only works where both spouses agree on all issues. Some referred services are based on financial need, so you may be asked about income.

Family Law Centres offer free legal help to family violence survivors who cannot afford a lawyer. To be eligible, you must be experiencing family violence and have at least one additional eligible legal issue, and parenting arrangements are now one of those issues. The centres prioritize survivors who have fled an abusive partner within the past six months. They have in-person offices in Surrey and Victoria, and virtual services in communities including Surrey, Abbotsford, New Westminster, Victoria, Colwood, Duncan, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, Vanderhoof and Mackenzie.

Reading the law itself

Many online summaries are based on the Family Law Act of British Columbia. For example, a court may make a protection order where family violence is likely to occur and the other person is an at-risk family member, and it need not be made together with any other proceeding. Unless the court orders otherwise, a protection order expires one year after the date it is made. When deciding, the court must consider risk factors, including the history of family violence, whether it is repetitive or escalating, and recent separation or intention to separate. Summaries will always leave out details, so a lawyer can confirm how the law applies to you.

What to do next

• Write down your one or two most pressing questions before you start searching.
• Pick the type of resource from the table that fits each question.
• Note the date and publisher of every page you rely on.
• Call a Family Justice Centre for a needs assessment if you want to talk to a person.
• Book advice from a lawyer before you sign an agreement or file court documents.

Frequently asked questions