Legal Help BC

Legal Help BC Ask JES is a legal help service providing assistance to British Columbians asking legal questions

We provide multilingual help:
- English
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- Hindi
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- French

03/23/2023

At what age can I get married, without parent's permission?

Ask JES: In British Columbia, you must be 19 in order to marry without parent's permission. Learn more about getting married in BC: https://dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca/getting-married/.

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03/21/2023

How can I find a lawyer?

Ask JES: To find a lawyer, try the Lawyer Referral Service of Access Pro Bono BC online: https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service. You will get a 30-minute free consultation with a lawyer, and from there you can decide if you want to hire them. Be sure to ask what it will cost to continue.

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03/16/2023

What is the Parenting After Separation Course?

Ask JES: Parenting After Separation is a free online course for parents and other family members dealing with family issues including guardianship, parenting arrangements, contact, child support and spousal support. It provides parents with resources to better co-parent and put the child’s best interests first.

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03/14/2023

What is a family "case conference"?

Ask JES: Before trial, the judge may ask the parties to attend a Case Conference to see if the dispute can be resolved without a trial. Family law cases are often resolved at these conferences, and when the parties are able to reach an agreement, the judge will make a consent order at the conference.

Read more about case conferences in family law on Clicklaw: https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/Case_Conferences_in_a_Family_Law_Matter.

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03/10/2023

What are the forms needed for uncontested divorce?

Ask JES: You can use the Online Divorce Assistant from the Government of BC to fill out the uncontested divorce court forms. Here is the link to the Online Divorce Assistant: https://justice.gov.bc.ca/divorce.

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03/09/2023

My ex stopped paying child support, What can I do?

Ask JES: They owe you a debt. The money owed is called arrears. There are two ways to collect arrears: 1) through the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP) a free program that assists with enforcement. For more information see the FMEP website (https://www.fmep.gov.bc.ca/) or 2) enforce the order or agreement in court.

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03/06/2023

How is child support calculated?

Ask JES: Child support is considered the legal right of the child, rather than of the parent who receives it. Even if you do not see or care for your child, you will have a legal obligation to make the support payments the child is entitled to. There are federally mandated child support tables used to calculate payments based on the income of the parent(s), the province of residence of the payor parent, and the number of children. You can look up guideline child support amounts using this online calculator: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/child-enfant/2017/look-rech.aspx.

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01/11/2023

Who is a guardian?

Ask JES: Parents are generally guardians. When parents live together, both parents are the child's guardians. This means they're equally responsible for the child's care and upbringing. It doesn't matter if they're married or not. If a child's parents stop living together, they both continue to be the child's guardians. Guardianship can be removed by a court order, or if both parents agree that one of them will no longer be a guardian.

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01/04/2023

Q: What is an affidavit?

A: An affidavit is a written statement that contains important facts you want the judge or the master to know about. You swear it under an oath (or affirm) before a registry clerk or a lawyer. 'To swear' means you promise that the information contained in the affidavit is true.

Find other legal words in the legal dictionary on Justice Education Society's Courts of BC website: https://courtsofbc.ca/legal-dictionary

12/07/2022

If I leave dad's name off the baby's birth certificate, am I the only parent?

Answer: No, the baby's father still has the same legal rights and obligations. He is still entitled to ask for guardianship, parenting time and responsibilities. He is still obligated to pay child support, which is considered the child's right. You should speak to a lawyer about the implications of leaving the father's name off of the birth certificate.

Learn more about how the laws define who is a parent: https://family.legalaid.bc.ca/children/parenting-guardianship/who-parent

Legal Aid BC PovNet

12/06/2022

Question: What information do I need to give the police if they stop me when driving?

Answer: If the police stop you, tell them your name and address. Say whose car it is. Show your driver's licence, the car ownership and the insurance papers. You will likely be told why you were stopped and may be issued a violation notice. Don't offer the police money. It is a serious crime to bribe a police officer.

Find out more about Motor Vehicle Law at the Roadside on Clicklaw: https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Motor_Vehicle_Law_at_the_Roadside_(13:III)

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PovNet Legal Aid BC Courthouse Libraries BC Canadian Bar Association - BC Branch (CBABC)

Address

260-800 Hornby Street
Downtown Vancouver, BC
V6Z2C5

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 2pm
Tuesday 11am - 2pm
Wednesday 11am - 2am
Thursday 11am - 2:30pm
Friday 11am - 2pm

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+18558758867

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