Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Children Born Outside Marriage

People’s Law School

Under the law, a child born outside marriage is treated the same as a child born to married parents. However, there are some implications for parents and other practical considerations.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Children

Legal Aid BC

Information for parents, guardians, relatives of children, and children and teens about child rights, parenting and contact arrangements, child protection, and adoption.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the word "Canada" and a small Canadian flag above the last "a."

Child Support

Government of Canada

This fact sheet provides general information about child support under the Divorce Act. Includes information about calculating child support, the difference between Federal Guidelines and provincial guidelines, and paying and ending child support.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Child Support

People’s Law School

Parents have a legal duty to support their children, even if one parent doesn’t see or take care of the children. Learn about child support and how to get it.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Child Protection Mediation

Government of British Columbia

Sometimes people responsible for a child disagree with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or Aboriginal child and family service agency about a child’s safety. Child protection mediation is a way to make a plan for a child’s safety with the help of an impartial person called a mediator.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Child Protection and Removal

People’s Law School

If someone reports that a child has been abused (or is likely to be), it starts a legal process designed to keep the child safe. Learn about child protection law.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Child Protection

Legal Aid BC

Describes what can happen if the ministry thinks your child’s safety is at risk, including your responsibilities and rights as a parent, how you can be involved in making decisions for your child’s future, and how to avoid having to go to court.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Child Protection

Legal Aid BC

Identifies the law around child protection for Aboriginal children in BC, sets out some aspects of the child protection/removal process, and explains parents’ and band rights and responsibilities.

Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title, the Government of Canada logo, and a design with a heart and a teardrop shape, partially overlapping. There is a silhouette of a child holding a teddy bear.

Child Abuse Is Wrong: What Can I Do?

Government of Canada

This booklet is for the parents or guardians of children. It talks about child abuse in families. It answers questions about the law on child abuse in Canada. This booklet may also be useful even if you are not a parent, but you believe a child you know is being abused.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Child & Spousal Support

Legal Aid BC

Describes child and spousal support, how to track support payments, and what to do if the payor can’t or won’t pay.

Last reviewed March 2024