Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Logo features a circular emblem with a stylized illustration of a family — an adult figure flanked by two children. The name "BC Family Maintenance Agency" is to the right.

Family Maintenance Enforcement Program: Collection Actions

BC Family Maintenance Agency (BCFMA)
Lists the actions the BCFMA can take if the payor of child support falls behind on payments, such as garnishing wages or cancelling their driver’s licence.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a circular emblem with a stylized illustration of a family — an adult figure flanked by two children. The name "BC Family Maintenance Agency" is to the right.

Family Maintenance Enforcement Program: Child Support for Children over the Age of Majority

BC Family Maintenance Agency (BCFMA)
BCFMA’s procedures for collecting child support for children over 19. It outlines conditions under which support may continue, such as the child attending school or having a disability.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Enforcing Support Orders and Agreements

People’s Law School
Unfortunately, some parties who owe child support or spousal support fail to make their payments. Learn the steps to take to enforce payments owed under a support order or agreement.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the word "Canada" and a small Canadian flag above the last "a."

Divorced or Separated: Splitting Canada Pension Plan Credits

Government of Canada
Explains how Canada Pension Plan pension credits built up during the time a couple lived together can be split equally between them upon divorce or separation. It also outlines how to request “credit splitting.”
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the word "Canada" and a small Canadian flag above the last "a."

Child Support Table Look-Up

Government of Canada
The Federal Child Support Tables were updated in 2017 to reflect more recent tax rules. The updated tables came into effect on November 22, 2017. Both 2011 and 2017 tables are provided here.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features an ornate red monogram consisting of the letters "S" and "C" intertwined, surrounded by a circular wreath made of stylized leaves.

Resources for Self-Represented Litigants

Supreme Court of Canada
Explains what is expected of you and what instructions to follow if you bring your own application for leave to appeal or if you’ve been named as a respondent on an application for leave to appeal. Includes information about getting started, guides, and forms.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the first page, which is four paragraphs of text and a list.

Application to Waive Fees (blank forms)

Supreme Court of British Columbia
A package of forms for when you’re applying to waive court fees in Supreme Court, whether it’s for civil or family issues.
Last reviewed March 2024
First page of PDF with text and no images.

Memorandum from the Court to Self-Represented Litigants: Trial Procedure in Civil and Family Cases

Supreme Court of British Columbia
A 14-page memo from the court written for SRLs going to trial for a civil or family case. It outlines the court’s sitting schedule, courtroom etiquette, stages of a trial, what goes into an opening statement, how to present evidence, and how to question witnesses.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features the initials "JES" in green on the left and a grey scale of justice with the text "Justice Education Society" in a circular arrangement around it on the right.

Trial: Witnesses (civil law)

Supreme Court BC (Justice Education Society)
An overview of witness basics, including information on preparing your witnesses and questioning your witnesses. This guide also introduces concepts like cross-examinations and hearsay.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features the initials "JES" in green on the left and a grey scale of justice with the text "Justice Education Society" in a circular arrangement around it on the right.

Trial: Scheduling a Trial (civil law)

Supreme Court BC (Justice Education Society)
An introduction on how to schedule a trial, as well as an overview of jury trials, trial management conferences, the trial record and certificate, and trial deadlines.
Last reviewed March 2024