Legal Resources

This booklet is for service providers assisting “mothers without status” — women who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents. It gives an overview of the issues they face and options they can take. It includes information on where to get help.

This resource is for women with children who’ve been abused by their intimate partner. This includes a spouse or someone with whom they share a child but were never in a relationship with. The booklet explains how to get help and protection, and how to handle parenting arrangements.

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.

Describes the role of mediators in the child protection process, how they can help Aboriginal families, and how to find a mediator. Mediators are professionals who are specially trained to help people reach an agreement. They are also trained to not take sides.

Provides information on marriage registration and certificates. Find out how to marry in British Columbia, order a marriage certificate, change a marriage record, and search for a marriage licence issuer or marriage commissioner.

A marriage or cohabitation agreement can set out how couples will deal with issues that come up if their relationship ends, but also with issues during the relationship such as property and debts. This page talks about what an agreement covers and doesn’t cover, legal requirements, and how to change one.

This guide is designed for parents making a parenting arrangement under the Divorce Act, but can be useful for others too. The basic decisions that you have to make about parenting arrangements are similar whether you’re separating or divorcing.

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.

Provides information on how to legally change your name.

When you have a protection order against your children’s other parent, plan how to keep yourself and your children safe during parenting time and at handover.