| Note: In late 2009, LawLINK will no longer be available. Courthouse Libraries BC has created a new website that will take the place of LawLINK: Clicklaw. Clicklaw provides legal information, education, and help for British Columbians. Clicklaw is already available — click here to check out this great resource now! |
Child Custody and Access, Child Protection/Removal, Child Support and Spousal Support, Legal Aid Guidelines, Marriage, Personal Safety, Separation and Divorce
Visit the following sites for general information:
Family Justice
Legal information on the family law issues facing BC couples who have separated or who are about to separate.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
Family Law in British Columbia
This website provides self-help materials, including forms and publications, to help you resolve your family law problems.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Family Mediation
Explains how mediation can be an alternative to going to court to resolve family problems. Includes questions and answers about using a mediator and costs.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
Family Mediation Practicum Project
Describes the Family Mediation Practicum Project, which provides free mediation services for family problems about custody, access, guardianship, child support, or simple property matters.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
Child's Right to Love
Information for grandparents and relatives who want to stay in touch with children after a separation or divorce.
Provided by: People's Law School
Custody and Access
Information for parents about custody and access.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Custody, Guardianship, and Access
Information to help parents make decisions about where the children will live and how to share parenting responsibilities. Includes definitions.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General, Family Justice
How Do I Get an Initial Family Order If We Cannot Agree?
This self-help kit will help you apply for custody, guardianship, access, or support in Provincial or Supreme Court.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
LSS Publications — Living Together, Living Apart: Common-Law Relationships, Marriage, Separation, and Divorce
This 57-page booklet (PDF) explains what the legal issues are when people separate or divorce.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Child Abuse Prevention Website
What you can do to prevent child abuse. Includes a link to resources for teens.
Provided by: Ministry of Children and Family Development
Child and Youth Officer for British Columbia — Helpline for Children
A free hotline for children and youth to call if they are in danger or need to talk. Others can call if they are concerned about the safety of a child.
Provided by: Child and Youth Officer for British Columbia
Child Protection and Removal
Information about child abuse, child protection, and removing a child from the home.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Child Protection Flowchart
A flowchart showing step by step what happens if you are reported to the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). Clicking a button on the flowchart takes you to the page that describes that part of the child protection process.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Child Protection Mediation Program
Describes how the Child Protection Mediation Program can help you resolve a dispute with the Ministry of Children and Family Development about how a child is being cared for.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
Child Protection Mediation: Questions and Answers
Provides answers to frequently asked questions about using mediation in child protection cases (PDF).
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
Child Protection Publications
BC government publications about child abuse and child protection.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
Child Protection Publications — Family Group Conferencing Fact Sheets
Information sheets for parents, children, youth and extended family explaining what a family group conference is and how it can help you make decisions and a plan to protect a child. Click on the link above then scroll down to the heading Family Group Conferencing Fact Sheets.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
Child Protection/Removal Self-Help Guide
A self-help guide for parents facing crisis situations with their children. Includes information and advice on child protection law and dealing with the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Click on the link above and choose from the links listed under Child Protection/Removal, second heading from the top.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Keeping Kids Safe
Information about child abuse, including definitions, prevention, and child removal.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
LSS Publications — If Your Child Is Taken by the Ministry of Children and Family Development
This brochure (PDF) describes the steps parents or guardians can take if the ministry removes their child or is planning to remove their child from the home.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
LSS Publications — Parents' Rights, Kids' Rights: A Parents' Guide to Child Protection Law in BC
This 46-page booklet (PDF) describes what happens if the Ministry of Children and Family Development doesn't think a child is safe.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Mediation in Child Protection Cases
A bulletin explaining the rules for using mediation in child protection cases and how to set up a mediation session.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
Provides definitions of abuse and information about what happens when you report child abuse.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Changing a Child Support Order in the Supreme Court of British Columbia
This self-help kit will help you change a child support order that was made in BC Supreme Court.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Changing a Support Order in the Provincial Court of British Columbia
This self-help kit will help you change a support order that was made in BC Provincial Court.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Child Support
Information about Canada's child support laws and guidelines. Includes answers to frequently asked questions and help to calculate support payments.
Provided by: Department of Justice Canada
Child Support
Information to help parents understand their legal responsibilities to provide child support and to make decisions about child support agreements.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
Child Support
General information about child support orders.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Family Maintenance Enforcement Program
Information about how the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program can help you collect child support.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
Family Maintenance Program
Information about how BC's Family Maintenance Program can help parents get the support they are entitled to under the Child Support Guidelines.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Housing and Social Development
Federal Child Support Guidelines
Links to the child support guidelines and legislation.
Provided by: Department of Justice Canada
Federal Child Support Guidelines: Step-by-Step
Provides step-by-step instructions on applying the Federal Child Support Guidelines.
Provided by: Department of Justice Canada
How Do I Get an Initial Family Order If We Cannot Agree?
This self-help kit will help you apply for custody, guardianship, access, or support in Provincial or Supreme Court.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Spousal Support
Information about getting support if you and your spouse separate.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Spousal Support
Information about who has to pay spousal support and how to make or change spousal support agreements.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
How to Apply for Legal Representation
Information on how to apply for legal aid in BC.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Legal Representation
Describes what legal problems are covered by legal aid guidelines.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Changing Your Name
Explains options and procedures for changing your name or a child's name in BC.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Legal Change of Name
Details about who can apply and how to apply to legally change a name, order a change of name certificate, and information on fees and forms.
Provided by: BC Vital Statistics Agency
Marriage Contracts
What marriage contracts are, what they can and cannot do, and the reasons for having or not having one.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS)
Information about the counselling and advocacy services BWSS provides for women survivors of violence in relationships.
Provided by: Battered Women's Support Services
BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors — About Abuse
Definitions and examples of abuse of seniors, including physical, psychological, financial, sexual, and medication abuse, and neglect.
Provided by: BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support
BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors — Websites and Resources
Links to websites offering information on personal safety issues for seniors.
Provided by: BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support
BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses — Women's Services
Information about the province's transition houses with a link to a website list for the society's members.
Provided by: BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses
Child and Youth Officer for British Columbia — Helpline for Children
A free hotline for children and youth to call if they are in danger or need to talk. Others can call if they are concerned about the safety of a child. Click on the right side of page for Helpline phone number.
Provided by: Child and Youth Officer for British Columbia
LSS Publications — For Your Protection: Peace Bonds and Restraining Orders
A booklet (PDF) with information for people in relationships who need protection from violence or the threat of violence.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
LSS Publications — Legal Information for Battered Women Fact Sheets
A series of five fact sheets (PDF) on issues facing women experiencing family violence.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
LSS Publications — Speaking of Abuse: Violence Against Women in Relationships
This 46-page booklet (PDF) defines abuse and what a woman's legal rights are if she is in an abusive relationship.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Protection Order Registry
Information about protection orders, the Protection Order Registry, and the victim notification process.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Shelternet
Online help for abused women in many languages. Includes information on understanding abuse, abuse and children, and how to find a local shelter.
Provided by: Shelternet
VictimLINK
A province-wide telephone help line for victims of family and sexual violence, and all other crimes. Victim service workers provide crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence.
Provided by: Information Services Vancouver
Welcome to Cory’s Courthouse
A child-friendly, interactive site providing information about the court process for children who may have to testify in court. "Cory the Court Dog" acts as a guide.
Provided by: BOOST — Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention
A Kids' Guide to Separation and Divorce
An interactive website designed to help kids understand separation and divorce.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
BC Families in Transition
This Victoria, BC, organization provides support and information to people of all ages facing separation and divorce.
Provided by: BC Families in Transition
Do Your Own Uncontested Divorce in the Supreme Court of British Columbia
Online self-help kits to help you file for divorce.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Changing Your Name
Explains options and procedures for changing your name or a child's name in BC.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Families Change
Links to websites with information about separation and divorce for adults and kids.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
Legal Change of Name
Details about who can apply and how to apply to legally change a name, order a change of name certificate, and information on fees and forms.
Provided by: BC Vital Statistics Agency
LSS Publications — Living Together, Living Apart: Common-Law Relationships, Marriage, Separation, and Divorce
This 57-page booklet (PDF) explains what the legal issues are when people separate or divorce.
Provided by: Legal Services Society
Requirements for Divorce and Annulment
General information about the legal reasons marriages break down.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Separation and Divorce
Information about what separation is and how to get a divorce.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General, Family Justice
Separation and Separation Agreements
Information about the types of arrangements you can make and what needs to be settled when you separate from a spouse.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
Separation: Deciding Who Will Move Out
Information on how to decide who moves out, getting a court order to make a spouse move out, and separation agreements.
Provided by: Dial-A-Law
A Teen Guide to Parental Separation and Divorce
A website about parental separation and divorce designed for teens.
Provided by: BC Ministry of Attorney General
