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: Mediation, Collaborative Negotiation, and Arbitration

People’s Law School
Explains that going to court over a family law problem can be stressful, time consuming, and expensive. Learn how to use mediation, collaborative negotiation, or arbitration to resolve issues without going to court. You can also find answers to some common questions.
Last reviewed August 2026
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Parenting after Separation for Indigenous Families (course)

Government of British Columbia
This free online course is for parents and family members who identify as Indigenous or have children who identify as Indigenous. It helps parents and family members make decisions about caring for their children after separation or divorce. Learn about guardianship, parenting arrangements, contact, spousal and child support, and using mediation.
Last reviewed August 2026
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Your Family and the Law

Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC (Legal Aid BC)
This page provides information on family law legal issues as they apply to Aboriginal people. Covers caring for children, parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, property, and income assistance.
Last reviewed August 2026
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Parenting after Separation (course)

Government of British Columbia
This free online course (offered in English and Punjabi) helps parents and family members make decisions about caring for their children after separation or divorce. Learn about guardianship, parenting arrangements, contact, spousal and child support, and resolving disputes with the help of a mediator.
Last reviewed August 2026
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Unbundled Legal Services

People’s Law School
This website provides information about unbundled legal services — a 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 August 2026
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What Are the Child Support Guidelines?

Government of British Columbia
Brief description of the federal child support guidelines, which are the rules for calculating the amount of child support one parent must pay to the other parent to help support their child or children.
Last reviewed August 2026
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Spousal Support

Government of Canada
This fact sheet provides general information about spousal support under the Divorce Act. The act applies to married couples who are divorcing. Provincial or territorial laws apply to unmarried or common-law couples that are separating and to married couples that are separating but not divorcing.
Last reviewed August 2026
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LSLAP Manual: Family Law

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It includes an overview of the family law process, as well as the law relating to marriage, common-law relationships, divorce, support, and adoption.
Last reviewed August 2026
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Fairness in Cross-Examination: Understanding the Rule in Browne v. Dunn

Rise Women’s Legal Centre
This guide explains the rule in Browne v. Dunn, which is important for trial and cross-examination. It helps you understand the rule about challenging statements from the other party or a witness that contradict your own evidence in a family law trial.
Last reviewed August 2026
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About Mediation

Government of British Columbia
Explains mediation, a process for resolving disputes and an alternative to going to court. It covers when to mediate, what mediators do, choosing a mediator, lawyers and mediation, the process, after mediation, and mediation as legal counsel.
Last reviewed August 2026