Legal Resources

This page explains why and how to obtain your divorce certificate.

Explains the law about fair division of family property or debt when spouses separate, and what you can do if you believe your agreement is unfair. It explains how to prepare a financial statement for court, how to manage your case and work with a lawyer, and where to get free legal help.

Explains the differences between using an alias and legally changing your name, if you have to apply to the court to change your name when you marry or divorce, and the steps for doing so.

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.

Provides information to help you register and order certificates for vital events, such as a birth, death, or marriage. Also provides online application for certificates.

Learn about the different income tax rules that apply to spousal support and child support. It explains that spousal support is usually taxable and deductible, and explains when spousal support payments are taxable and deductible. Child support is usually not taxable or deductible. Some legal fees and expenses are tax deductible.

When a relationship ends, one spouse may seek help from the other with living expenses or to compensate for choices the spouses made during the relationship. Learn about spousal support.

Explains divorce proceedings in BC. If a divorce proceeding has been started against you, you can do nothing or respond. It explains that a notice of family claim starts a divorce proceeding, and what you need to do if you don’t agree with the notice of family claim.

Explains what you need if you want to get a divorce or annulment. Topics covered include divorce, the grounds for getting a divorce, and starting proceedings. It explains when the court will not grant a divorce, and explains annulment.