Introduction
You've been served with a Notice of Application (Form F31)
You've been served with this form because your child's other parent has applied to enforce a parenting agreement or order. They think you're not following the agreement or order. For example, you're:
- not showing up or being available to care for your child as agreed or ordered, or
- refusing to let the other parent spend time with the child.
You have five business days from the time you're served with these documents to respond to the application. If you receive the documents after 4 pm, calculate the time limits beginning on the next business day. If you don't respond, the other person can continue with the application and will appear at the court hearing without you. Orders can be made in your absence.
Can you agree?
Supreme Court applications cost time and money. Before you respond, think about whether you and the other person can agree about following the order or agreement.
If you can agree, you don't have to go to court. See Who can help you reach an agreement? for resources and services that can help you with this.
If the other person succeeds in having the agreement enforced, the judge might award costs against you. This mean you'll have to pay some of the other person's court costs and legal expenses, as well as your own.
Get legal help
It's a good idea to get some legal help before you begin a guide. If you can't afford a lawyer, there are other ways to get legal help, including:
For information about legal aid, see the Legal Aid BC website.