Uncontested Divorce (3:V)

A. Required Documents

If the client is trying to do the divorce on his or her own, the following information details the basic documents that he or she will need. A person handling his or her own divorce is advised to get a copy of the documents and instructions from Self-Counsel Press.

1. Marriage Certificate

Any official, government-issued form of marriage certificate or registration of marriage can be accepted. Importantly, it cannot be a church-issued document, marriage license, or slip of paper attesting to the celebration of the marriage. In some areas of the world, it may be difficult to obtain an official government document.

If the marriage certificate is in a language other than English, an official certified translation must be provided. Clients who require translation can be referred to Mosaic Translations, which can be reached at (604) 254-0469, or to the Society of Translators and Interpreters of BC, at (604) 684-2940. Marriage certificates in French must also be translated.

Clients who were married in Canada can request a copy of their marriage certificate for about $50/$100 (in BC) from the Department of Vital Statistics.

2. Photograph of the Spouse

Clients must have a recognizable photograph of the spouse. The photograph is for service purposes and will not be returned. The process server usually returns the photo with the affidavit of personal service. They should also provide information about how to locate the spouse (i.e. their address, their employer’s address, the make and model of their vehicle).

3. Copies of Any Court Orders or Separation Agreements

These documents can be attached to the divorce affidavits as exhibits.

If the client or spouse had previously started a divorce action, he or she must provide a filed copy of the Notice of Discontinuance that authorized discontinuance of that action.

If a separation agreement is the only document signed between the parties that involves guardianship, parenting arrangements, consent and support of the children (i.e. if there are no court orders), the agreement maybe filed in either the Provincial or the Supreme Court and enforced as a court order (FLA Section 58). The separation agreement does not need to be filed in Court to obtain a divorce order. However, if there are children of the marriage, the agreement should be attached to the affidavit regarding child support as evidence of the parties’ agreement.

B. Joint or Sole Application

For joint applications, the original Notice of Joint Family Claim, two additional copies will be required: the original for filing at the registry, and two as a personal record. See Section H: Service, below, regarding sole applications.

A joint application is quicker and less expensive than a sole application, as well as less complicated, since a Notice of Joint Family Claim need not be served (Supreme Court Family Rules, r. 2-2). However, if lawyers or a mediator is preparing the joint claim, both parties will need to seek out independent legal advice from their own lawyer.

C. Filling Out the Notice of Family Claim

The Registry is extremely scrupulous, and documents containing inconsistencies or omissions will be rejected. This could cost the client valuable time. Clients should be advised to check and re-check every document, especially dates and the spelling of names.

Do not use abbreviations, even common abbreviations such as “n/a” or “a.k.a.” or even “BC”. Answer every paragraph in full.

If at any time, one party is aware of errors in the supporting documents (such as the certified copy of registration of marriage), the pleadings must be amended to show the true facts as that party knows them. This is because the party requesting the divorce must swear an affidavit as to the correctness of the documents and the statements contained therein.

D. Style of Proceedings

The style of proceedings should use the names of both parties as they appear on the certificate or registration of marriage. That said, the wife’s maiden name on the marriage certificate is not an alias and you need not use “also known as” or add it to the style of proceedings. If the certificate shows a typographic error, you may wish to include in the style of proceedings the name the party presently uses and “also known as” (or “formerly known as,” as appropriate) the name on the certificate.

E. Backing Sheets

The backing sheet is the last page of the entire document, placed backwards so the documents can be easily identified when folded. Orders filed at the Registry for entry require backing sheets. Some Registries may also require backing sheets on all documents filed.

F. Notice of Family Claim

The Notice of Family Claim will include general information about the parties, the spousal relationship history, prior court proceedings and agreements, as well as what is being sought by the claimant. The appropriate schedules should be completed and attached to the Notice of Family Claim.

Follow the directions outlined on the forms carefully.

Under Part 2 of the Notice of Family Claim, when the parties began living in a marriage-like relationship is usually (though not always) when the parties first began cohabiting. Conversely, the date of separation is the date the parties stopped living in a marriage-like relationship, even though they may have continued to live together under the same roof. If the breakdown of the marriage is due to separation,the commencement of the separation date should be noted.

Under Part 3 of the Notice of Family Claim, any separation agreement or financial agreements determining any matters related to the dissolution of the marriage, any orders from the Courts, and/or other proceedings in the Courts should be noted. Details such as the date of the agreement, the matters resolved, and whether or not the agreements are still in effect should be set down, but the more specific details of the agreements do not need to be set out.

If the claimant is only seeking a divorce and has settled all other corollary matters without the need for court orders regarding same, he or she need only fill out the Notice of Family Claim, Schedule 1 – Divorce, and, if applicable, Schedule 5 - Other Orders if he or she wants an order changing his or her name under the Name Act.

The forms must include an address for service. This address has to be within 30 km from the courthouse. It can include a fax number and/or an email address. The address must be kept up to date with the Court and opposing party.

1. Schedule 1: Divorce

Place a check for each applicable box and fill in the form accordingly. Addresses must be accurate. Do not use post office boxes. A government issued certificate of marriage or certificate of registration of marriage must be filed where the party intends to seek an uncontested divorce.

2. Schedule 2: Children

Place a check for each applicable box and fill in the form accordingly. Under the DA and the FLA s 146, children who are over the age of majority but whose illness leaves them unable to leave the care of a parent or whose attendance of a post-secondary institution leaves them financially dependent on their parent may be considered a dependent child. With the FLA now enacted, which Act you are seeking an order under (the DA or FLA) can have an impact on the parties’ rights. Before checking one box or the other where it specifies the Acts, advise clients to seek legal advice from a lawyer.

3. Schedule 3: Spousal Support

Place a check for each applicable box and fill in the form accordingly. A lawyer should be consulted for advice on entitlement to spousal support. With the FLA now enacted, which Act you are seeking an order under (the DA or FLA) can have an impact on the parties’ rights. Before checking one box or the other where it specifies the Acts, advise clients to seek legal advice from a lawyer. The test for awarding spousal support is the same, however, there are different limitation dates for the two.

4. Schedule 4: Property

Place a check mark for each applicable box and fill in the form accordingly. If one of the parties wishes to obtain more than equal division of family division and family debt, details and reasons should be set forth here. Only a lawyer should deal with property issues.

5. Schedule 5: Other Orders

Place a check mark for each applicable box and fill in the form accordingly. If the claimant is seeking a name change, he or she should indicate the full current and new names here.