If you and the other party agree

How to get an initial family order in the Supreme Court of British Columbia

Who this guide is for and how it works

Note: Mouse over any of the terms in green type to see a definition.

This do-it-yourself guide is for people who want to get an initial support, custody, guardianship, or access order in the Supreme Court of British Columbia and agree on what the order should say. We call an order that includes any or all of these issues a "family order." When both parties agree to the order, it is sometimes also called a "consent order."

This guide will not tell you how to apply for a divorce. If you have children, you need to have an initial child support order or agreement in place before you can use our do-your-own divorce guide. This guide can help you get that initial order. See the divorce guides on this website for more information about getting an uncontested divorce. In some cases, you may get a divorce order and your initial family order at the same time. Get legal advice about how to do this, as you may be able to combine the steps from the different guides. However, these guides are designed for separate applications.

Note: If either party lives outside BC, you may not be able to use these guides. Please contact a lawyer for advice. See Who can help? for how to find a lawyer.

This guide includes:

  • an introduction that describes the different ways you can get a consent order;
  • a brief outline of the law that applies to getting custody, guardianship, or access, or getting a support order;
  • a step-by-step description of how to get a Supreme Court order when both parties agree;
  • instructions about which forms to use and what to do with them; and
  • blank forms and sample forms with instructions for filling them out.

Click on "List of steps," below, to see a list of step-by-step instructions. Then read the instructions. Once you are familiar with the instructions, print out or download the forms you need and fill them out.

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.
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 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.
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).
A document that records the decision of a judge/master and is entered at the court registry after the judge/master makes his or her decision.
The term we use to describe a court order for one or more of child support, spousal support, custody, guardianship, and access.