British Columbia
Divorce in British Columbia
BC Family Law Act Guide
British Columbia's Family Law Act provides equal property division for both married and common-law couples. BC recognizes common-law rights after just 2 years of cohabitation.
5.4M
Population
10,000+
Annual Divorces
$290
Filing Fee
85+
Provincial Courts
Unlike Ontario, BC grants common-law couples the same property division rights as married couples after 2 years of cohabitation in a marriage-like relationship. This is one of BC's most significant family law distinctions.
BC's Equal Division Approach
Unlike Ontario's equalization payment system, BC divides family property equally at its current value.
Family Property
Property that is divided equally between spouses:
- Family home (regardless of whose name or when acquired)
- Vehicles used for family purposes
- RRSPs, pensions, and investments acquired during relationship
- Business interests grown during relationship
- Bank accounts and other financial assets
Excluded Property
Property that remains with the original owner:
- Property acquired before the relationship began
- Gifts and inheritances received during relationship
- Personal injury awards and insurance proceeds
- Property purchased with excluded property funds
- Property excluded by agreement
Note: Any increase in value of excluded property during the relationship is divided.
BC Family Law Rules
Key distinctions in British Columbia divorce and separation law.
| Feature | BC Rule | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Property Division | Equal Division | Family property divided equally unless significantly unfair |
| Excluded Property | Pre-relationship Assets | Property owned before relationship, gifts, inheritances excluded |
| Family Home | Family Property | Included as family property regardless of when acquired |
| Common-Law | Equal Rights | Same property rights as married couples after 2 years cohabitation |
| Child Support | BC Tables | Federal Guidelines with BC-specific tax rates |
BC Support Calculations
BC Child Support
Federal Child Support Guidelines apply:
- Table amount based on payor's gross annual income
- BC-specific tax rates applied to income tables
- Section 7 special expenses shared proportionally
- Shared parenting (40%+) adjustments
- BC has lower cost of living adjustments than Ontario
BC Spousal Support
SSAG guidelines commonly applied by BC courts:
- BC courts regularly apply SSAG ranges
- Strong emphasis on self-sufficiency where appropriate
- Both quantum and duration guided by SSAG
- Compensatory and non-compensatory factors considered
- Review and variation available on material change
BC Supreme Court Locations
Family law matters are heard in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
Vancouver
Supreme Court of BC
800 Smithe St
604-660-2853
Victoria
Supreme Court of BC
850 Burdett Ave
250-356-1478
Surrey
Supreme Court of BC
14340 57th Ave
604-572-2200
Kelowna
Supreme Court of BC
1355 Water St
250-470-6900
Navigate Your BC Divorce with Confidence
BC property division tools, child support calculator, and expert guidance for British Columbia family law.