How to change a family order if you can't agree

You must change a family order (an order for custody, access, guardianship, and/or support), at the same level of court (Provincial or Supreme) in which the order was made.

Before you begin — Can you work things out without going to court?

Before you start using these guides, think about your situation. Is it possible that you and the other person can agree on how to change your existing order? If you can agree, you won't have to go to court and a judge or master won't make the decisions about these important personal issues for you. Instead, you can file a consent order.

Consider the following options that can help you and the other party to work things out:

For more information, see our fact sheet Staying out of court.

Tip: If your order was made in Provincial Court and you and the other party can agree, see the Law Centre's information package Changing a Support Order in Family Court Where the Parties Can Agree.

If your order was made in Supreme Court and you and the other party can agree, see our self-help guide How to change a family order in Supreme Court if you agree.

If you can't work things out — Choose your guide

Where was your original order made?

The term we use to describe a court order for one or more of custody, access, guardianship, support, division of property, annulment of a marriage, divorce, declarations of parentage, or adoption.
Can refer to where and with whom a child lives, or where a child lives and the rights and responsibilities of a parent regarding the child in his or her care.
The term we use to describe a court order for one or more of custody, access, guardianship, support, division of property, annulment of a marriage, divorce, declarations of parentage, or adoption.
Generally means the time children spend with the parent they do not usually live with. However, access is not limited to the parent who does not have custody — any person can apply for access to a child (including grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other relatives).
The responsibility for making major decisions for children about such things as what kind of education, health care, or religious training they will receive, and how to manage anything the children may own, such as property or money.
Money paid by one party to the other party as financial support. Support can be paid for a former spouse or for any or all children.
A judicial officer of the Supreme Court who can decide certain matters. Generally, a master may decide about interim orders for custody, guardianship, access, and support. A master may not change a judge's final order or grant a divorce.