Family Law and Women's Resources (23:II)

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on August 1, 2023.

Family LawLINE (Legal Services Society)

Telephone: 604-408-2172 Toll-Free: 1-866-577-2525 Website: https://family.legalaid.bc.ca/

• Free legal advice over the telephone
• Lawyers give brief "next step" advice

Vancouver Justice Access Centre

Telephone: 604-660-2084 Toll-Free: 1-800-663-7867 (ask for Justice Access Centre) Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/about-bcs-justice-system/justice-access-centres/how-to-find-us/vancouver

• Legal information, self-help and other resources; limited legal advice on family law issues (low-income eligibility requirements apply). No legal advice for criminal matters, small claims court forms and filings and personal injury matters.
• Advice on family issues such as separation or divorce, guardianship, child/spousal support, parenting after separation, and protection orders under the Family Law Act.

Family Justice Centres

Telephone: 1-604-660-2421 (ask for Family Justice Centre) Toll free: 1-800-663-7867 (ask for Family Justice Centre) Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/divorce/family-justice/who-can-help/family-justice-centres

• Family Justice Centres operate across BC to provide services to British Columbians going through separation or divorce. Each centre is staffed by accredited Family Justice Counsellors, specially trained to help families with parenting arrangements, contact with a child, guardianship, and support issues. They can help parents resolve disagreements without going to court.

Family Law in British Columbia (Legal Services Society)

Website: https://familylaw.lss.bc.ca/

• Information about family law issues, the legal system, and alternatives to court

The Family Mediation Program (MediateBC)

Telephone: 604-684-1300 Toll-Free: 1-877-656-1300 Website: https://www.mediatebc.com/

• Affordable mediation services for families. A family law mediator will assist families in a formal dispute resolution process to resolve family law issues after separation.

British Columbia Family Maintenance Enforcement Program

Telephone: 604-678-5670 Toll-free: 1-800-663-9666 Website: https://www.fmep.gov.bc.ca/

• Free service from BC Ministry of the Attorney General to help families and children entitled to support under a maintenance order or agreement.

Ann Davis Transition Society

Administration/Counselling: 604-792-2760 Immediate Help (Shelter): 604-792-3116 Website: http://www.anndavis.org

• Provides shelter and support for abused women and their children (in Chilliwack)
• Individual and group counselling for women, children, youth, couples and families
• Advocacy in family law and tenancy issues

North Shore Women's Centre

Telephone: 604-984-6009 Website: http://www.northshorewomen.ca Email: info@northshorewomen.ca

• Women's drop-in resource centre
• Runs a family law clinic which provides information, support, and legal advice about family law issues
• In North Vancouver

B.C. Men's Resource Centre

Telephone: 604-878-9033 Website: https://menbc.ca/

• Individual, couple and family counselling (no legal advice)

Battered Women’s Support Services

Telephone: 604-687-1867 Toll-Free: 1-855-687-1868 Website: https://www.bwss.org

• Summary advice, workshops, and advocacy in family, immigration, refugee, and criminal law
• Court form preparation clinic for drafting supreme court forms for family law proceedings
• Offers counselling, support, information, and other resources

BC Pro Bono Collaborative Roster Society

Website: https://www.bccollaborativerostersociety.com/

• Service for low-income families going through separation/divorce who do not have lawyers
• Collaborative team works with both parties in a divorce to come to a satisfactory settlement

Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre

Telephone 604-681-8480 Website: https://dewc.ca

• Safe space for women and children in the Downtown Eastside
• Advocacy in welfare, tenancy, housing applications, and family law, including providing referrals

Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Telephone: 604-731-4951 Website: https://fsgv.ca

• Family law information, counselling, and support services

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Line

Telephone: 604-558-4740 Toll-free: 1-855-474-9777 Website: https://www.parentsupportbc.ca/grandparents-raising-grandchildren/

• Phone line staffed by advocates trained in advocacy, social work, family law, and government services related to kinship caregiving

Representative for Children and Youth

Telephone (youth): 1-800-476-3933 Children’s Help Line: 310-1234 Website: https://www.rcybc.ca

• Assists children and youth understand their rights and advocates on their behalf

RISE Women’s Legal Centre

Telephone: 236-317-9000 Website: https://womenslegalcentre.ca

• Provides legal services to women in family law and immigration applications for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
• Provides summary advice, court preparation, and legal representation

Sources Legal Resource Center

Telephone: 778-565-3638 Website: https://www.sourcesbc.ca/our-services/community-law-clinic/

• Legal information, resources, and advice with family law issues
• Wide variety of counselling and support services

Society for Children and Youth

Telephone: 778-657-5544 Toll-Free: 1-877-462-0037 Website: https://www.scyofbc.org Email: info@scyofbc.org

• Can provide free legal advice to children and youth on family law issues and more

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