If you and the other party agree

How to change a 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 change a 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.

You can use this guide to change custody, guardianship, or access, or raise or lower support and cancel arrears, as long as:

  • there is an existing order made by the Supreme Court of British Columbia;
  • both you and the other party to the order agree to the change;
  • in the case of an order for child support, the change is to an amount permitted by the child support guidelines.

Note: If either party lives outside BC, you may not be able to use this guide. Please contact a lawyer for advice.

This guide includes:

  • a brief outline of the law that applies to changing custody, guardianship, or access, or changing a support order and cancelling arrears;
  • a step-by-step description of how to change 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 links to 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.
Past support payments that have not been paid.
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.
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.