(LPSN)Introduction

Introduction

This step-by-step guide is for you if:

  • you want to apply for new orders in Provincial Court, and
  • you and the other person don't agree on what the order should say.

This includes orders about the following:

  • guardianship,
  • allocation of parental responsibilities,
  • parenting time,
  • contact with a child,
  • child or spousal support, and
  • procedural orders, like orders to provide information.

Know your court registry

The court has rules about which court registry you can use. Provincial (Family) Court registries offer extra free services to help people resolve their family law issues without going to court. You must use the services your registry offers before you can file an application with the court.

Use the registry finder, below, to find out which registry you need to use and what extra services it offers.

When to use this guide

You can use this guide if:

  • your court registry doesn’t require you to use any conflict resolution services, or
  • you’ve used your registry’s resolution services and some of the issues are still not settled.

What the law says about parenting, support, and property when you separate

For more information, see:

Get legal help

It's a good idea to get some legal help before you use this guide. If you can't afford a lawyer, you can get legal help in other ways, including:

Staff at Justice Access Centres in Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Surrey, Victoria, and Vancouver can also answer your questions and help you fill out forms.

For information about legal aid, see the Legal Aid BC website.

Updated on 5 January 2022
Wellness

Court forms seem daunting, but it's just a matter of filling in certain facts. Take them one question at a time.