BC Family Law Resources for Separation & Divorce

If you are separating or divorcing in British Columbia, most of the help you need at the start is free. This page collects the public legal information services, government programs and support lines that BC families use most, with direct links to each one.

Available Resources for Separated or Divorcing Individuals in British Columbia

There are a number of resources available to people who are separated or going through a divorce in British Columbia. Some options include:

1. Legal Aid BC: This organization provides legal information and assistance to people in BC who have low incomes and are unable to afford a lawyer. They offer a variety of services, including legal advice, representation in court, and assistance with filling out legal forms. Legal Aid BC

2. Family Justice Centres: Family Justice Centres are staffed by Family Justice Counsellors, who are accredited mediators. They help families work through guardianship, parenting arrangements, contact with a child, child and spousal support, and property division respecting a companion animal. They can assess your needs and provide information about your legal and related issues (including referrals for legal advice), dispute resolution and mediation options, and court forms and processes. They do not draft your documents or give you legal advice. All services are provided free of charge.

3. Mediation Services: Mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps people in conflict to communicate and reach a mutually-acceptable resolution to their dispute. There are a number of mediation services available in BC that can help separated couples resolve conflicts related to issues such as property division, parenting arrangements, and support payments. Our own family mediation service in Surrey explains how the process works.

4. Counselling Services: Separation and divorce can be emotionally difficult, and it can be helpful to speak with a professional counsellor to work through your feelings and find ways to cope with the changes in your life. There are many counselling services available in BC that can provide support and guidance to separated individuals.

It is important to note that these are just a few examples of the resources that are available to separated people in British Columbia. There may be other options available in your local area, so it is recommended that you research your options and seek out the support and guidance that is most appropriate for your needs. If you would like help deciding which of these fits your situation, book a free consultation with our Surrey family lawyers or call us at (778) 381-9977.

List of Free Resources Available to Those Seeking More Information

1. The Tax Matters Toolkit: The Canadian Bar Association's Tax Matters Toolkit for Clients, published in February 2023, was prepared with Justice Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency and Finance Canada. It is designed to help people going through separation or divorce understand how tax rules could affect their finances afterward. You can read more about it on our family law blog.

2. BC.211.ca: BC.211.ca is a free, confidential service in British Columbia, operated by United Way British Columbia, that connects people to community, health, and government resources, including housing, food, and mental health support. It is designed to help individuals navigate complex social services and find immediate help for daily needs or crises. It operates 24/7, providing a searchable online database, as well as assistance via telephone and text by dialing 2-1-1. The service includes:

   • Connects users to resources for food, housing, mental health, addictions, legal aid, and services for seniors or newcomers.
   • Users can visit the website to search, or call/text 2-1-1 to speak with a trained Resource Navigator.
   • The service is available 24/7/365, often supporting multiple languages.
   • It provides comprehensive listings for all of British Columbia, including a dedicated Shelter and Street Help Line.

3. Clicklaw: Clicklaw is operated by Courthouse Libraries BC and gathers plain-language legal information from BC non-profits, government and the legal profession in one place. Its Family topic covers divorce and separation, support and property division, and its services directory lists free and low-cost help across the province.

4. JP Boyd on Family Law: The JP Boyd on Family Law wikibook is a plain-language guide to BC family law hosted on Clicklaw Wikibooks. It covers separation and divorce, parenting and child support, spousal support, property and debt division, family violence, court procedure in both Provincial and Supreme Court, and out-of-court options such as mediation and arbitration.

5. Federal Child Support Table Look-up: The Department of Justice Canada's child support table look-up estimates a table amount of child support from the paying parent's annual gross income, their province or territory of residence, and the number of children. Justice Canada cautions that the look-up "has general information only. It is not a legal document." The official legal version is the Federal Child Support Tables in Schedule I to the Federal Child Support Guidelines on the Justice Laws website — currently the 2025 Tables, last amended October 1, 2025.

6. BC Family Maintenance Agency: If support is ordered or agreed to but is not being paid, the BC Family Maintenance Agency (formerly the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program) collects amounts owing, including arrears, and forwards them to the recipient. It is a free service for eligible BC families.