Where Can I Get Free Help With BC Family Court Forms?

Family court forms can feel like a language of their own, and a mistake can slow your case. If you are representing yourself, it helps to know which free services exist and what each can actually do.

This article covers help available in British Columbia and the limits of that help. Which forms you need depends on the court, the issue and your facts, so confirm the details with the court registry or a lawyer.

This article covers the law of British Columbia.

Start by working out what you need

Before you look for form help, be clear about what you are asking for. Common issues include protection orders, denial of parenting time, child support, spousal support, property division and divorce.

Also check whether you and the other person agree. Some tools only work in agreement cases, and others are meant for disputes.

Family Justice Centres

Family Justice Centres offer free services to parents and other family members dealing with separation or divorce. They provide a needs assessment, legal information with referrals for advice, and information on Provincial Court processes.

You can reach them at 1-844-747-3963, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone and video conference services are available for families separated by distance.

They give information and referrals, not representation. Lawyer advice at a Family Justice Centre depends on your situation, and staff otherwise refer you elsewhere.

The centres can help with parenting arrangements, guardianship, child and spousal support, contact with a child, and property division for a companion animal. They also offer a free Parenting After Separation course, and they can refer you to the BC Family Maintenance Agency if child support is not being received.

Divorce paperwork and required early steps

For a joint uncontested divorce, Family Justice Centres provide the Online Divorce Assistant. It only works where both spouses agree on all issues.

In some regions, extra steps come first. Early Resolution Registries in the Vancouver Coastal, Vancouver Fraser, Vancouver Island and Interior regions require specific steps before a Provincial Court family case proceeds. Ask a Family Justice Centre or the court registry what applies where you live.

If mediation is not suitable for your situation, staff help with next steps or referrals. Family dispute resolution professionals must also assess whether family violence may be present, and if so consider how it may affect a party's safety and ability to negotiate a fair agreement.

Other places that can help

• Family Justice Counsellors, who are accredited mediators, can provide mediation and information about a family law dispute.
• Child support disputes can use facilitated negotiation with a child support officer.
• Justice Access Centres offer free family justice services.
• Family Law Centres give free legal help to family violence survivors who cannot afford a lawyer and who have at least one additional eligible legal issue.
• A lawyer may help with only part of your matter, such as a task you pick together. This is called unbundling.

Mediation at a Justice Access Centre takes place in a neutral, informal setting where a trained mediator helps you discuss issues without giving legal advice.

If family violence is part of your situation, Family Law Centres prioritize survivors who have fled an abusive partner within the past six months. A court may also make a protection order, and unless the court orders otherwise, it expires one year after the date it is made. Whether either option fits you depends on your facts, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer.

The Law Society of BC developed a Family Unbundled Legal Services toolkit with Mediate BC, including sample retainer agreements, available through Courthouse Libraries BC.

What to do next

• Identify the issue and whether you and the other person agree.
• Call a Family Justice Centre to ask about court process and early steps.
• Keep copies of everything you file or receive.
• Ask whether any referred service has an income test, because some are based on financial need.
• Consider paying a lawyer for a limited task, such as reviewing your paperwork before you file.
• If you are at risk, ask about safety referrals right away.

Frequently asked questions