Divorce & separation
Last reviewed March 2024 by the Clicklaw editors
Divorce is the legal process of ending a marriage. To get divorced, you must have been separated for a year.
You and your spouse are separated as soon as you start living apart, and you can be separated while still living in the same house. There is no formal process for separation. If you want to write a separation agreement you can, but it’s not required.
Explore the links below to reliable online guides and tools and to organizations in BC. They have been chosen by librarians at Courthouse Libraries BC.
Selected resources
Click on a topic to see a list of resources.
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Going Through Separation
Family Law in BC (Justice Education Society)
Describes separation in BC and gives information on mediation, what to take with you when you separate, and how to prove you’re separated if you have to keep living with your ex-spouse.
Last reviewed March 2024
Living Together or Living Apart: Common-Law Relationships, Marriage, Separation, and Divorce
Legal Aid BC
Explains the basics of family law in BC. Includes information about why you might want an agreement for living together, and how to write one; what to do if you decide to separate or divorce; how to sort out money matters and work out parenting arrangements; and how the court process works.
Last reviewed March 2024
Overview: Separation and Divorce
Supreme Court BC (Justice Education Society)
This guidebook has general information about separating and getting a divorce. It is intended for separating couples who can reach an agreement without a trial, and also to those who require a judge to settle a disputes.
Last reviewed March 2024
Agreements
Family Law in BC (Justice Education Society)
General information about making a separation agreement to cover how you’re going to deal with parenting, property, child and spousal support, and other family issues. Also discusses cohabitation or marriage agreements while you’re living together.
Last reviewed March 2024
Do Your Own Uncontested Divorce
Family Law in BC (Justice Education Society)
Online step-by-step guide to getting a divorce in BC if you both agree about how to deal with your parenting, support, and property and debt issues. Includes links to blank forms you’ll need and instructions about filing them at the registry.
Last reviewed March 2024
Online Divorce Assistant Application (e-Divorce App)
Government of British Columbia
This online app helps people complete documentation for joint-filing divorces in the Supreme Court of BC in cases with or without children. Joint-filed divorces are where both applicants agree on all family law issues relevant to their situation, such as spousal support and the division of property.
Last reviewed March 2024
How Do I Change My Name after Marriage or Divorce?
John-Paul Boyd, KC
Explains the differences between using an alias and legally changing your name, if you have to apply to the court to change your name when you marry or divorce, and the steps for doing so.
Last reviewed March 2024
I’ve Been Served with a Court Form
Family Law in BC (Justice Education Society)
Step-by-step guides to help you figure out what to do if you’re the respondent in a family law case and you’ve been served with a court form.
Last reviewed March 2024
Dial-a-Law: Responding to Divorce Proceedings
People’s Law School
Explains divorce proceedings in BC. If a divorce proceeding has been started against you, you can do nothing or respond. It explains that a notice of family claim starts a divorce proceeding, and what you need to do if you don’t agree with the notice of family claim.
Last reviewed March 2024
Unbundled Legal Services
People’s Law School
This website is for people in British Columbia who are interested in unbundled legal services — a new service model for lower-cost legal help. You hire a lawyer to help with parts of your legal matter (rather than the whole file). You get the support you need at a manageable cost.
Last reviewed March 2024
Get an Order to Waive Fees (Supreme Court)
Family Law in BC (Justice Education Society)
Online step-by-step guide on how to apply for an order to waive fees. This lets you begin or respond to a court application without paying the fees. Includes links to blank forms.
Last reviewed March 2024
Alternatives to Court
People’s Law School
Practical information on your legal rights and options when it comes to alternatives to court in British Columbia.
Last reviewed March 2024
Alternatives to Family Court
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Understand your alternatives to family court, including different types of mediation and collaborative solutions.
Last reviewed December 2024
Getting a Divorce
Family Law in BC (Justice Education Society)
Describes contested and uncontested divorces in BC and explains how laws in other countries might affect the process. Also includes step-by-step guides on how to do your own divorce without going to court.
Last reviewed March 2024
JP Boyd on Family Law: Family Law Agreements
John-Paul Boyd, KC
This chapter provides an overview of family law agreements and covers cohabitation agreements, marriage agreements, and separation agreements in more detail, with additional information about enforcing and changing agreements.
Last reviewed March 2024
JP Boyd on Family Law: Resolving Family Law Problems out of Court
John-Paul Boyd, KC
This chapter provides an overview of alternatives to court for family law issues: collaborative processes, mediation, arbitration, and parenting coordination.
Last reviewed March 2024
JP Boyd on Family Law: Resolving Family Law Problems in Court
John-Paul Boyd, KC
This chapter provides an overview of the process for starting and replying to proceedings in Provincial Court and Supreme Court. Includes information about case conferences, interim orders, enforcing orders, and changing final orders.
Last reviewed March 2024