Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

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Dial-a-Law: Introduction to Family Law

People’s Law School
Family law deals with legal issues that impact families. Family breakups, divorce, marriage, adoption, and family violence all fall within this area of law. Learn the basics of family law.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title, the Government of Canada logo, and a photo of a child’s toy rabbit on its back on a swing.

International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents

Government of Canada
Written for parents whose child has been abducted and taken out of the country, or who are concerned that their child may be vulnerable to such abduction. It reviews prevention issues and steps to take in cases of international abduction.
Last reviewed March 2024
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International Child Abduction (FAQ)

Government of British Columbia
Provides information about the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, what BC central authority can do if your child is abducted across international borders, and how most cases would proceed. Includes useful contacts and links to forms.
Last reviewed March 2024
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How the Interjurisdictional Support Order (ISO) Process Works When the Other Person Lives Outside BC

Government of British Columbia
Explains how to get support if one person lives outside BC. It explains what you need to do to get a support order, and how to change an existing support order, including tips about starting an application and sending your application.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Support When One Person Lives Outside BC: Choose Your Forms

Government of British Columbia
Step-by-step question and answer guide to find what forms you need to get or change a child and/or spousal support order under ISO or the Divorce Act. The PDF forms you are then linked to are based on answers about your situation. It also links to guides to help you fill out each form, and includes where you can get help if no forms are applicable.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Intercountry Adoption and the Immigration Process

Government of Canada
Provides information about the process of international adoption.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Informal Family Trial Pilot — Kamloops Registry

Government of British Columbia
If your family law case is in the Kamloops Provincial (Family) Court, a judge may offer you the option of an informal trial before a trial is scheduled. You and the other person must agree to have this informal trial, which is less formal and more flexible. It links to PDFs about informal trials, the trial journey, FAQs, and how to prepare.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Income Disclosure for Child Support Purposes

Government of Canada
Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, parents need to provide complete and up-to-date income information to ensure a fair amount of child support. Includes who needs to provide income information when, what income information they need to provide, and what happens when it is not provided.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Help Starts Here: If Your Child Is a Victim of Crime

Government of British Columbia
Children and youth experience various types of crime in various contexts, such as child abuse, bullying, and dating violence. This information sheet is part of the Help Starts Here series and provides information for parents and other family members whose child has been a victim of crime.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Human Trafficking in Canada

People’s Law School
This 16-page booklet is for community leaders, teachers, students, people in social service or health care roles, and others who want to help their communities learn more about human trafficking.
Last reviewed March 2024