Difference between pages "Small Claims Payment Hearing Checklist (20:App K)" and "Family Violence (3:VIII)"

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== A. Family Law Act ==
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Both the debtor and the creditor can request a payment hearing, or a judge may order one. A creditor may request a payment hearing to ask the debtor about their ability to pay or to disclose the debtor’s assets so they may be seized or garnished. Either the creditor or the debtor may request a payment hearing to propose a payment schedule or changes to a payment schedule.  
Under the FLA, a court may issue a family law protection order against a family member in a dispute when there is a likelihood of family violence. Family violence is inclusive of physical, emotional, or psychological abuse. When children are involved, both direct and indirect exposure to violence meet the definition of family violence in s 1 of the Act.  


== Creditor Checklist ==
Applications for a protection order can be made alongside applications for other family court orders or on their own. The involvement of the criminal justice system is not required. Applications can be made in both Provincial Court and Supreme Court.


=== 1. Before the Payment Hearing: ===
There is no cost to apply for a protection order in BC Provincial Court. If you are seeking a divorce, you may apply for a protection order at the BC Supreme Court for a fee ($80 for divorce proceedings that have begun, and $200 if not). It is possible to obtain an order to waive fees at the Supreme Court. The Legal Services Society publication “For Your Protection” outlines the process and the forms required to seek a protection order. https://familylaw.lss.bc.ca/publications/your-protection


*If you are the party requesting a payment hearing, you must complete and file a summons in Form 12 at the registry:  http://www.smallclaimsbc.ca/court-forms. If the debtor is a corporation, you may name an officer, director, or employee to appear and give evidence on behalf of the debtor (Small Claims Rule 12(5)).
Before issuing a protection order, courts will consider the history of family violence, the nature of that violence, the present relationship between the at-risk family member and the violent family member, and circumstances which increase the risk of violence or the vulnerability of the at-risk family member (s 184(1)).  
*After you file the summons, you must serve it on the debtor at least 7 days before the date of the payment hearing (Rule 12(7)).
*If the person who serves the summons on the debtor will not be at the hearing to provide oral evidence, you should have them prepare an affidavit of service, available at the website above, and file it at the registry in case the debtor does not show up to the hearing; otherwise you will not be able to get a warrant for their arrest.  


=== 2. At the Payment Hearing: ===
Protection orders may prohibit direct or indirect communication, attending locations frequently entered by the at-risk family member, and possessing a weapon (see s 18(3) for additional prohibitions). Unless the court establishes otherwise, an order will expire one year after the date it is issued.


*Bring a list of questions you wish to ask the debtor about their assets. Lists of the types of questions that may be asked can be found at:  http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/docs/practice/checklists/E-5.pdf (designed for Supreme Court but may be adapted for Small Claims).
== A. Divorce Act ==
*Be prepared to propose a payment schedule and defend it or argue why one should not be ordered.


=== 3. After the Payment Hearing: ===
Effective March 1, 2021, the amended Divorce Act includes provisions for identifying family violence and assessing its relevance to family disputes.


*If the debtor misses a payment, the balance of the judgement becomes due immediately and you may proceed to collections. See Chapter 10: Creditor’s Remedies and Debtors’ Assistance for information on collections procedures.  
Family violence is conduct by one family member which causes another family member to fear for the safety of themselves or another person. The amended DA characterizes this as threatening or violent behaviour, or a pattern of coercive or controlling behaviour (see s 2(1) of the amended DA for the definition of family violence and a list of conduct which meets this definition). These behaviours need not be criminal offences, nor are they required to meet the threshold for proof in criminal law to qualify as family violence under the updated DA. If a child is exposed to direct or indirect violence, this is considered family violence and possibly child abuse.


== Debtor Checklist ==
Under the amended Divorce Act, family violence is a factor under consideration in establishing parenting and contact arrangements for children (s 16(3)(j) of the amended DA). Courts may consider family violence grounds to modify or waive notice requirements for changes in residence (s 16.96(3)). Family violence will also be a factor in determining whether family dispute resolution would be inappropriate (s 7.7(2) of the amended DA).


=== 1. Before the Payment Hearing: ===
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*If you are the party requesting a payment hearing, you must complete and file a notice in Form 13 at the registry: http://www.smallclaimsbc.ca/court-forms.
*After you file the notice, you must serve it on the creditor at least 7 days before the date of the payment hearing (Rule 12(11)).
*If the person who serves the summons on the creditor will not be at the hearing to provide oral evidence, you should prepare an certificate  of service (Form 4), available at http://www.smallclaimsbc.ca/court-forms, and file it at the registry in case the creditor does not show up to the hearing. 
 
=== 2. At the Payment Hearing: ===
 
*Be prepared to answer questions about your finances such as contained in the lists in Creditor Checklist – Section 2 above.
*Bring financial records and evidence of income and assets, including:
**Bank records
**Credit-card statements
**Tax returns and supporting documents
**Property, sales of property and mortgages
**Receipts for insurance, medical bills, utilities
**RRSP, TSFA and other investment statements
**Debts you owe and debts that are owed to you (including future debts)
**Assets you have disposed of since the claim arose
**Employment and pay-stubs
**Evidence of means that you have or may have in the future of paying the judgement
*Prepare a statement of finances, available [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/documents-forms-records/court-forms/small-claims-forms|here].
*Be prepared to suggest a payment schedule or changes to the payment schedule that you can manage
*Be prepared to argue why your financial circumstances justify the schedule or changes you are proposing
*If you are on welfare or other income assistance, be sure to bring this to the judge’s attention
 
=== 3. After Judgement: ===
*If you are having difficulty managing your debts, see [[Introduction_to_Creditors%27_Remedies_(10:I) | Chapter 10: Creditor’s Remedies and Debtors’ Assistance]].
 
 
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Revision as of 21:39, 25 August 2021

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on August 12, 2021.



A. Family Law Act

Under the FLA, a court may issue a family law protection order against a family member in a dispute when there is a likelihood of family violence. Family violence is inclusive of physical, emotional, or psychological abuse. When children are involved, both direct and indirect exposure to violence meet the definition of family violence in s 1 of the Act.

Applications for a protection order can be made alongside applications for other family court orders or on their own. The involvement of the criminal justice system is not required. Applications can be made in both Provincial Court and Supreme Court.

There is no cost to apply for a protection order in BC Provincial Court. If you are seeking a divorce, you may apply for a protection order at the BC Supreme Court for a fee ($80 for divorce proceedings that have begun, and $200 if not). It is possible to obtain an order to waive fees at the Supreme Court. The Legal Services Society publication “For Your Protection” outlines the process and the forms required to seek a protection order. https://familylaw.lss.bc.ca/publications/your-protection

Before issuing a protection order, courts will consider the history of family violence, the nature of that violence, the present relationship between the at-risk family member and the violent family member, and circumstances which increase the risk of violence or the vulnerability of the at-risk family member (s 184(1)).

Protection orders may prohibit direct or indirect communication, attending locations frequently entered by the at-risk family member, and possessing a weapon (see s 18(3) for additional prohibitions). Unless the court establishes otherwise, an order will expire one year after the date it is issued.

A. Divorce Act

Effective March 1, 2021, the amended Divorce Act includes provisions for identifying family violence and assessing its relevance to family disputes.

Family violence is conduct by one family member which causes another family member to fear for the safety of themselves or another person. The amended DA characterizes this as threatening or violent behaviour, or a pattern of coercive or controlling behaviour (see s 2(1) of the amended DA for the definition of family violence and a list of conduct which meets this definition). These behaviours need not be criminal offences, nor are they required to meet the threshold for proof in criminal law to qualify as family violence under the updated DA. If a child is exposed to direct or indirect violence, this is considered family violence and possibly child abuse.

Under the amended Divorce Act, family violence is a factor under consideration in establishing parenting and contact arrangements for children (s 16(3)(j) of the amended DA). Courts may consider family violence grounds to modify or waive notice requirements for changes in residence (s 16.96(3)). Family violence will also be a factor in determining whether family dispute resolution would be inappropriate (s 7.7(2) of the amended DA).

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