Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

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Family Orders Picklists

Provincial Court of British Columbia
Picklists contain sample language that you can use in court orders and applications. They provide standard wording to help you make yourself understood to the court.
Last reviewed February 2025
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JP Boyd on Family Law: How Do I Get My Certificate of Divorce?

John-Paul Boyd, KC
This page explains why and how to obtain your divorce certificate.
Last reviewed January 2025
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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
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Family Management Conference

Provincial Court of British Columbia
Explains the family management conference, which is your first appearance in provincial family court when you or your ex-spouse has filed an application.
Last reviewed December 2024
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Family Law Protection Orders

Provincial Court of British Columbia
How to apply for, change, or cancel a family protection order. Includes information about when you can proceed without informing the person you need protection against.
Last reviewed December 2024
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Preparing Financial Documents

Provincial Court of British Columbia
Information about financial statements in family court, including how they’re used in court, and details about filing and copying.
Last reviewed December 2024
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Getting Ready for Family Court

Provincial Court of British Columbia
This guide to a family court trial in BC Provincial Court covers whether it’s the correct court for your legal issue, if you can attend court by phone or videoconference, resources to help you with family disputes, and definitions for some legal words used in court.
Last reviewed December 2024
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Bringing a Support Person to Family Court

Provincial Court of British Columbia
Many self-represented litigants find that having a trusted friend or family member with them to provide emotional support, take notes, and organize documents can be a big help. The BC Provincial Court recognizes this, and they’ve adopted guidelines to make it easier to bring a support person to provincial family court.
Last reviewed December 2024
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Bring a Support Person to Court

People’s Law School
Information for those representing themselves in court who wish to bring a support person during the court hearing, and how to ask the court’s permission to have them come with you.
Last reviewed December 2024
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Types of Family Matters Dealt with in Provincial Court

Provincial Court of British Columbia
The Provincial Court handles many types of family matters including parenting arrangements, spousal and child support and their enforcement, child protection, adult guardianship (protection of abused or neglected adults), and child abduction by a parent.
Last reviewed December 2024