Can I Get Legal Aid for a Family Law Problem in BC?

Separation brings fast decisions about children, money and where everyone will live. If you cannot afford a lawyer, it is natural to ask whether Legal Aid BC can step in, and for which kinds of problems.

The answer depends on your circumstances and the type of problem. This article explains the family law help connected to Legal Aid BC, who it is aimed at, and what other free services exist if you do not qualify.

This article covers the law of British Columbia.

What Legal Aid BC offers in family law

One clear example is the Family Law Centres. These are law clinics funded by the Province and delivered by Legal Aid BC, giving free, trauma-informed legal help to family violence survivors who cannot afford a lawyer. The program is backed by a three-year, $29-million provincial contribution announced in 2024.

Legal Aid BC may offer other family services too, and what is covered can depend on the type of problem, your income and your situation. Those rules are updated from time to time, so confirm the current details with Legal Aid BC directly before you rely on them.

Who the Family Law Centres are for

To be eligible, you must be experiencing family violence and have at least one additional eligible legal issue. Parenting arrangements, meaning getting an initial parenting order or changing one, became an eligible issue on June 22, 2026.

Common issues include protection orders, denial of parenting time, child support, spousal support, property division and divorce. The centres prioritize survivors who have fled an abusive partner within the past six months, but that is a priority, not a general waiver of the other requirements.

• In-person offices are in Surrey and Victoria.
• Offices in Kamloops and Prince George were expected to open in late summer 2026, so confirm they are open before you travel.
• Virtual services are available in Surrey, Abbotsford, New Westminster, Victoria, Colwood, Duncan, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, Vanderhoof and Mackenzie.

Protection orders and safety

If you fear for your safety, a protection order may be an option. A court may make one on application by a family member claiming to be at risk, by a person acting on that member's behalf, or on its own initiative, and it need not be made together with any other proceeding. The test is that family violence is likely to occur and the other person is an at-risk family member.

Unless the court orders otherwise, a protection order expires one year after it is made. If you are in immediate danger, contact police or a safety service rather than waiting for a legal appointment.

The court must consider risk factors, including history of family violence, whether it is repetitive or escalating, recent separation or intention to separate, substance abuse, access to weapons, the at-risk person's perception of risk, and vulnerability such as pregnancy or economic dependence. If a child is a family member, the court must also consider whether the child may be exposed to family violence and whether an order should also be made for the child.

Free help if Legal Aid BC is not available to you

Many people do not fit a legal aid category. Other free options exist, and they work differently.

Family Justice Centres can be reached Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at 1-844-747-3963, and also serve families separated by distance by telephone and video conference.

Family Justice Centres also provide a needs assessment, legal information with referrals for advice, safety referrals to VictimLinkBC or police, and a free Parenting After Separation course. Some referred services are based on financial need, so you may be asked about income, and lawyer advice at a Family Justice Centre depends on your situation.

Some lawyers offer unbundled services, where a lawyer provides legal services for part of your matter and you and the lawyer decide which tasks each will do.

What to do next

• Decide whether family violence is part of your situation, since that affects which service fits.
• Write down your issues, such as parenting, support, property or divorce.
• Gather separation dates, any existing orders, and income information.
• Contact Legal Aid BC or a Family Justice Centre to ask what applies to you.
• Speak with a lawyer if your situation is urgent or complicated.

Frequently asked questions