Difference between revisions of "Introduction to JP Boyd on Family Law"

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{{JP Boyd on Family Law TOC}}
 
{{JP Boyd on Family Law TOC}}
  
Welcome to ''JP Boyd on Family Law''.
 
  
You might want to know about your own family law problem, or you might be helping someone else deal with their family law problem. Either way, this resource is for you. In this wikibook, we — [[JP Boyd|John-Paul Boyd]] and the team of experienced family law lawyers who serve as editors — guide you through family law in British Columbia as if we were talking to you.  
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Welcome to the 2024 edition of ''JP Boyd on Family Law.'' Whether you're facing your own family law challenges or assisting others, this resource is tailored for you. In this edition, we delve into the major areas of family law while addressing the evolving landscape of family justice in British Columbia. We especially recognize how dynamic the courts and their legal procedures are at this time, and strive to provide you with the most current and pertinent information.
  
For more than a decade, British Columbians used John-Paul Boyd's BC Family Law Resource website as their go-to place for family law information. John-Paul tried not to assume you would know about legal language and legal processes. He talked like an ordinary person. He explained legal terms and gave you tips on how to do things in plain language. This wikibook tries to do the same thing.
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==Understanding the Landscape of Family Law==
  
This wikibook is divided into chapters about the major areas of family law. In each chapter you will find an overview, then additional sections that give you more detailed information. Each chapter makes sense by itself. You won't have to go hunting for information in other chapters.
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The realm of family law is intricate, shaped by various legal sources, including statutes, court rules and forms, practice directions, and common law. Navigating these elements can be daunting, especially given the recent changes and ongoing transformations within the legal system. Major procedural shifts, like those brought about by amendments to the ''[[Divorce Act]]'' and the ''[[Family Law Act]],'' have significantly impacted court forms and rules. The Covid-19 pandemic further accelerated changes in court procedures and the adoption of technology in legal processes.
  
In addition to the chapters, this resource has a part called Helpful Guides & Common Questions which provides brief information on an array of family law questions, from ''How Do I Get Married in British Columbia?'' to ''How Do I Find My Ex?'' to ''How Do I Address the Judge?'' That's the place to go for a quick introduction to a process or procedure, or for a summary of the steps you have to take to do something.  
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In light of these developments, the 4th edition emphasizes digital accessibility and adaptability. Recognizing that printed material may quickly become outdated in this rapidly evolving legal environment, we have made a conscious decision to focus on online resources, ensuring that the information provided remains relevant and up-to-date.
  
The best place to start is right here in ''Getting Started'', beginning with the [[Introduction to Family Law in British Columbia]] section. This section gives you the really big picture, and will be particularly helpful for people who have never had to deal with a legal problem before and people who are new to Canada. After that, you'll want to move on to the chapters that interest you.
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==Access to Justice and Family Law==
  
Let us know what you think of this wikibook. Our goal is to keep this resource as updated as possible based on changes in the law to make sure it meets your needs. Please send your comments to us at [mailto:editor@clicklaw.bc.ca editor@clicklaw.bc.ca].
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Our dedication to enhancing access to justice (A2J) in family law is reflected in this edition's comprehensive coverage of barriers to justice and the array of responses from courts, governments, and legal communities. We explore innovative solutions and initiatives that have emerged to tackle these challenges, from alternative dispute resolution methods to legal aid services, aiming to make family justice more accessible and equitable for all British Columbians.
  
::- Editorial Team, for ''JP Boyd on Family Law''
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==Special Focus: Family Violence and Property & Debt Matters==
  
==Why are we doing this?==
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This edition pays special attention to the Family Violence chapter, reflecting recent legal advancements and societal shifts in understanding and addressing family violence. Additionally, updates to the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' have prompted significant revisions in the Property and Debt in Family Law Matters chapter, ensuring that our readers are well-informed about the latest legal standards and practices in these critical areas.
  
You might be reading this text in the online wikibook ''[[JP Boyd on Family Law]]'', in an offline version in PDF format, or in a thick printed book. We produced this resource as a wikibook so that free family law information can reach more people. Family law issues touch the lives of a lot of British Columbians, and when you're dealing with family law problems, you need all the help and support you can get.
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==Your Guide Through Family Law in BC==
  
Clicklaw Wikibooks teamed up with [[JP Boyd|John-Paul Boyd]] in 2012, when he was still based in Vancouver, to turn his popular family law website into this new Clicklaw Wikibook title, ''JP Boyd on Family Law''. The migration of John-Paul's website into this new format preserves the accessibility, scope, and tone of the original, which provided free family law information to more than 27,000 British Columbians a month and had been published for more than a decade.  
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As always, our goal is to demystify family law and provide practical, understandable guidance. From navigating court procedures to understanding legal rights and alternatives to litigation, ''JP Boyd on Family Law'' serves as your comprehensive guide. We encourage you to explore the chapters that resonate with your needs and interests.
  
As a wikibook, ''JP Boyd on Family Law'' continues John-Paul's commitment to explaining the legal system and providing free, plain language information on family law and divorce law, court processes, and other family law dispute resolution processes, while harnessing the versatility and strength of [http://www.mediawiki.org MediaWiki], the same open-source wiki platform that powers Wikipedia.  
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We value your feedback and strive to keep this resource as current and helpful as possible. Please share your thoughts and suggestions at [mailto:editor@clicklaw.bc.ca editor@clicklaw.bc.ca].
  
The clean page layout of the wikibook in its [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca online form] provides a familiar user experience, and the online search functionality enables text searching throughout the entire wikibook as well as other Clicklaw Wikibooks titles. The wiki platform's ''book creator'' function allows libraries and individual readers to print as little or as much of this wikibook as they want, in convenient, user-friendly PDF or e-book formats that expand the reach of this resource to benefit British Columbians online and off.
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Thank you for turning to ''JP Boyd on Family Law'' as your trusted source for family law information in British Columbia.
 
 
==A collaborative, community resource==
 
 
 
John-Paul Boyd continues at the helm of ''[[JP Boyd on Family Law]]'' and supported by an [[JP Boyd on Family Law Contributors | editorial team]] of family law lawyers who are committed to delivering comprehensive, useful, and easy to understand family law information. 
 
 
 
==Clicklaw Wikibooks==
 
 
 
Transitioning John-Paul's family law website to a wiki format means the resource is available online or in print. You could be reading this page on a laptop in a coffee shop, or you could be flipping through this book at a public library. Both digital and print formats are made possible by the technology that powers Clicklaw Wikibooks, and helps provide legal information for the public and improve the legal collections of public libraries in British Columbia.
 
  
 
[[image:JP_Boyd_on_Family_Law_cover_image.jpg|thumb|center|300px|Cover image for ''JP Boyd on Family Law'']]
 
[[image:JP_Boyd_on_Family_Law_cover_image.jpg|thumb|center|300px|Cover image for ''JP Boyd on Family Law'']]

Revision as of 00:12, 30 November 2023


Welcome to the 2024 edition of JP Boyd on Family Law. Whether you're facing your own family law challenges or assisting others, this resource is tailored for you. In this edition, we delve into the major areas of family law while addressing the evolving landscape of family justice in British Columbia. We especially recognize how dynamic the courts and their legal procedures are at this time, and strive to provide you with the most current and pertinent information.

Understanding the Landscape of Family Law

The realm of family law is intricate, shaped by various legal sources, including statutes, court rules and forms, practice directions, and common law. Navigating these elements can be daunting, especially given the recent changes and ongoing transformations within the legal system. Major procedural shifts, like those brought about by amendments to the Divorce Act and the Family Law Act, have significantly impacted court forms and rules. The Covid-19 pandemic further accelerated changes in court procedures and the adoption of technology in legal processes.

In light of these developments, the 4th edition emphasizes digital accessibility and adaptability. Recognizing that printed material may quickly become outdated in this rapidly evolving legal environment, we have made a conscious decision to focus on online resources, ensuring that the information provided remains relevant and up-to-date.

Access to Justice and Family Law

Our dedication to enhancing access to justice (A2J) in family law is reflected in this edition's comprehensive coverage of barriers to justice and the array of responses from courts, governments, and legal communities. We explore innovative solutions and initiatives that have emerged to tackle these challenges, from alternative dispute resolution methods to legal aid services, aiming to make family justice more accessible and equitable for all British Columbians.

Special Focus: Family Violence and Property & Debt Matters

This edition pays special attention to the Family Violence chapter, reflecting recent legal advancements and societal shifts in understanding and addressing family violence. Additionally, updates to the Family Law Act have prompted significant revisions in the Property and Debt in Family Law Matters chapter, ensuring that our readers are well-informed about the latest legal standards and practices in these critical areas.

Your Guide Through Family Law in BC

As always, our goal is to demystify family law and provide practical, understandable guidance. From navigating court procedures to understanding legal rights and alternatives to litigation, JP Boyd on Family Law serves as your comprehensive guide. We encourage you to explore the chapters that resonate with your needs and interests.

We value your feedback and strive to keep this resource as current and helpful as possible. Please share your thoughts and suggestions at editor@clicklaw.bc.ca.

Thank you for turning to JP Boyd on Family Law as your trusted source for family law information in British Columbia.

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Cover image for JP Boyd on Family Law


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