Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Logo with the word "Canada" and a small Canadian flag above the last "a."

Child Disability Benefit

Canada Revenue Agency
Explains what the child disability benefit is, who can receive it, how to apply for it, how it’s calculated, and what the tax implications are.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo is eight circles arranged in a circle, with an outer dotted border. The organization name is to the right.

Teen Digital Dating Violence Toolkit

BC Society of Transition Houses
This toolkit provides anti-violence workers and caregivers supporting teens through their experiences of digital dating violence with information, tips, handouts, and resources. Includes info to help better understand the legal causes of action related to experiences of teen digital dating violence.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover of the PDF version of the guide, with a scenic photograph of a mountainous landscape with a path running through a lush green valley.

JP Boyd on Family Law: Family Violence

John-Paul Boyd, KC
This chapter provides an overview of the ways that criminal law, tort law, and the Family Law Act can address issues of family violence, including through peace bonds and protection orders. It also takes a brief look at some child protection issues.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the first page, with the title, three blocks of text, and the Government of BC logo. It’s illustrated with line drawings of a sun, a leaf, a person, and a house.

Help Starts Here: If Your Child Is a Victim of Crime

Government of British Columbia
Children and youth experience various types of crime in various contexts, such as child abuse, bullying, and dating violence. This information sheet is part of the Help Starts Here series and provides information for parents and other family members whose child has been a victim of crime.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the first page, with title, text, and Nidus logo.

Health Care Consent in BC: Your Rights and the Law

Nidus Registry
This fact sheet is about your rights as an adult (age 19 or older) to give or refuse consent to health care. How is health care defined? What is required for informed consent? How is incapability to consent determined? When is consent not required? Who qualifies as a health care provider?
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with "Plan Institute" and three overlapping green circles to the right, and the words “for caring citizenship” below.

Future Planning Tool (for people with disabilities)

Plan Institute
The Future Planning Tool is intended to promote long-term well-being for Canadians with disabilities by helping them and their families to accomplish their future planning goals, including financial planning, housing, relationships, and more.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Extended Family Program

Legal Aid BC
Provides information about the Extended Family Program. Under the program, parents who are temporarily unable to care for their children can ask to have their children placed in the care of family or friends, instead of having them go into foster care.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Temporary Out-of-Care Arrangements (Extended Family Program)

Government of British Columbia
When circumstances prevent a child from living with their parents, the preferred option is for the child to be with someone they know. The Extended Family Program offers services and financial supports to help improve outcomes for children and youth.
Last reviewed March 2024
First page of help sheet with text in two columns.

Dying Without a Will

Nidus Registry
Nidus encourages everyone to make a will. However, there are some situations where an individual may be considered not mentally capable to make a will. This fact sheet explains who has legal authority to settle an estate and gives examples of how an estate must be distributed if there is no will.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title and a photo of 15 diverse people. The Disability Alliance BC logo and the Law Foundation logos are at the bottom.

Disclosing Your Disability: A Legal Guide for People with Disabilities in BC

Disability Alliance BC
The guide discusses the legal rights and responsibilities around disclosure for people with disabilities in the context of employment. Thank you to the Law Foundation of BC for making this guide possible.
Last reviewed March 2024