Legal Resources

Questions and answers on wills-and-estates topics. Volunteer legal professionals provide answers to questions from the public relating to wills, dealing with death, settling an estate, and personal planning.

Practical, step-by-step guides on wills and estates. Learn about several topics including how to prepare a will, choose an executor, change or cancel a will, and probate a will.

Explains the main law in BC setting out the rights of workers: the Employment Standards Act. Most (but not all) workers in the province are protected under this law. Learn if you’re covered. Topics include exceptions, if you’re a union member, and if you’re not covered by employment standards legislation.

Explains what it means when someone wants protection from you because you’re accused or have been found guilty of abuse or violence (including family violence).

Explains your rights, and what you’re entitled to, if your common-law spouse dies. It explains the different definitions of “spouse,” and describes what happens if your spouse left a will, or if they died without a will. It explains pension, survivor, and CPP benefits. It also explains custody and guardianship of children.

Explains what the law says about how someone’s estate is distributed if they die without a will (intestate). A person doesn’t need to be married to be considered a spouse, and the court may need to appoint someone to look after any children. It also explains the duties of an administrator, and more.

This tool is for women who have been abused by their partner and arrested by the police. It is aimed at empowering women to get support and take action about the arrest.

A growing number of women that Battered Women’s Support Services help have been arrested for allegedly perpetrating violence against their partners, despite the fact that in all cases the women were being abused by their partners. This tool is designed to help advocates provide information, support, and advocacy.

Explains when you have to share information about your income, expenses, assets, and debts with your ex-spouse, and how to go about doing so.

Explains the collaborative family law process, where you and your spouse each hire a lawyer who practises collaborative family law with the goal of settling your case fairly, without going to court. It provides links to finding a collaborative family lawyer, and to other resources for legal help and advice.