JP Boyd's BC Family Law Resource: How Do I ?






	This section offers a basic outline of how to go about common legal and non-legal activities related to family law, from separating from your spouse or partner, to properly serving someone, to addressing the judge. The answers in this section are, of course, only tips, hints and general guides. For most problems, more detailed information can be found in related chapters of this website. Remember that what you should do in each of the following situations will depend to a large extent on your particular circumstances. The advice and assistance of a lawyer is always recommended, even if you're only hiring the lawyer to answer a few questions. How do I ... The "How Do I ?" topics below will open in a new window. Please note that the information provided is relevant only to British Columbia, Canada. Marriage, Separation and Divorce get married in British Columbia? prepare for separation? separate from my spouse? separate from my common-law partner? find out if I'm divorced? Avoiding an Obligation get out of paying child support? get out of paying spousal support? get out of sharing my assets? Alternatives to Court start negotiations with my spouse? start mediation with my spouse? Starting an Action find my ex? start an action in the Provincial (Family) Court? start an action in the Supreme Court? apply for indigent status in the Supreme Court? properly serve someone with legal documents? substitutionally serve someone with legal documents? Defending an Action respond to an action in the Provincial (Family) Court? respond to an action in the Supreme Court? apply for indigent status in the Supreme Court? Courtroom Protocol address the judge? address the lawyer when I'm representing myself? conduct myself in court at an application? Appealing a Judgment appeal a Provincial Court decision? appeal a Supreme Court decision? Miscellaneous prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer? become a lawyer? prepare an affidavit? prepare a supplemental affidavit? fix an error in an affidavit or add to an affidavit? fix an error in an order? find an order or another court document? get documents from the other side? divide our CPP pensions after we're divorced? Answers to the following common questions are available elsewhere in this website: Changing your name: see Other Family Issues > Change of Name Adopting a child: see Other Family Issues > Adoption Getting a paternity test: see Other Family Issues > Paternity Issues Doing your own divorce: see Marriage & Divorce > Divorce Finding a lawyer: see The Legal System > Lawyers & Litigants Firing your lawyer: see The Legal System > Lawyers & Litigants Have a "how to" topic of your own that you think should be included? Go to the Feedback chapter. Back to the top of the page. Site Navigation The Legal System · Alternatives to Court · Children · Child Support · Spousal Support Family Assets · Family Agreements · Marriage & Divorce · Same-Sex Couples Unmarried Couples · Other Family Law Issues · Breaking News Resources Menu Site Map & Index · Legislation · Resources & Links · Definitions · Feedback How do I ? · About the Author · Reviews & Write Ups · Help! Please ensure you take the time to read these important legal notices. Terms of Use · Copyright Notice · Disclaimer · Privacy & Confidentiality · Press Kit Copyright © 2001-2006 John-Paul Boyd. All rights reserved.