Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Logo with a green geometric design resembling two peaks of a roof that is repeated upside-down, above the text "FamilyLaw" in black with the tagline "Legal help for people in BC" below.

Costs and Expenses

Family Law in BC (Justice Education Society)
Information about costs and expenses related to going to Provincial or Supreme Court for a family law issue.
Last reviewed January 2025
Thumbnail of the cover of the PDF version of the guide, featuring a photo of a hand holding a feather with a scenic view of a sunset over a shoreline.

Legal Information for Indigenous People: National Edition

S.H.E.D. Society of Bella Coola
This booklet provides basic, accessible legal information for Indigenous people across the continent who are facing legal issues. It provides a national perspective on topics covered in the BC-specific booklet, including your rights and protections, restorative justice, child protection, prisons, crossing the border, wills and estates, and benefits...
Last reviewed November 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title and a photo of the view from an airplane flying over a lake nestled between snow-capped mountains.

Legal Information for Indigenous People

S.H.E.D. Society of Bella Coola
This booklet provides basic, accessible legal information for Indigenous people facing legal issues. Topics include justice systems, children and families, rights and protections, death and taxes, income security, and class actions. It explains how the laws can vary for people based on their Indigeneity.
Last reviewed November 2024
Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Supreme Court Family Rules Forms

Government of British Columbia
Links to all the forms (you can view them in alphabetical or numerical order). The page also links to free resources to help decide what form you need and how to proceed. It provides instructions and explains what software and browsers to use.
Last reviewed March 2024
Green and white emblem featuring a detailed coat of arms with a lion and a unicorn flanking a shield, and the text "Supreme Court of British Columbia" beneath it.

Supreme Court Family Order Pick List

Supreme Court of British Columbia
The Supreme Court has developed a “Family Order Pick List” which sets out standard terms for most of the usual orders made in family cases. The pick list provides the Supreme Court clerks the ability to electronically populate orders after chambers applications or a judicial case conference.
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: Specific Communities and Family Law

John-Paul Boyd, KC
This chapter provides an overview of the ways some laws apply differently to specific communities regarding family law problems. It covers Indigenous families, newcomers to Canada, same-sex relationships, and issues affecting transgender and transsexual people.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title and a close up of the scales of justice.

Family Law Handbook for Self-Represented Litigants

Canadian Judicial Council
A general reference for self-represented litigants appearing in Canadian courts. Includes SRL’s rights and responsibilities, family law basics, resolving disputes out of court, legal research and writing, court processes, family violence, and more. Also provides a list of Canadian and BC resources.
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: Couples Who Aren’t Spouses: Your Income, Support, and Property Rights

People’s Law School
Not all couples who live together meet the definition of “spouse” under BC’s family law. For these couples, learn your entitlement to benefits and what happens if you split up.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with a green geometric design resembling two peaks of a roof that is repeated upside-down, above the text "FamilyLaw" in black with the tagline "Legal help for people in BC" below.

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
Front cover of booklet with illustrations of various families: a mother and two sons, a same-sex couple, and parents with a baby and a young child.

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