Child protection / removal
Frequently asked questions
Can I get legal aid for my family law problem?
Legal aid, provided by the Legal Services Society (LSS), can take one of three possible forms: legal representation (a lawyer paid by legal aid to take your whole case), legal advice (brief legal advice on just a specific part of your case), or legal information (publications, websites, answers to email questions, etc.)
You must be financially eligible to get legal representation and most legal advice. There are two sets of financial guidelines: one for legal advice and one for legal representation. Legal information (plus some kinds of legal advice) is free to all British Columbians.
If you're reading this page, you've already received a form of legal aid.
To find out more about legal representation for family law problems and what's covered, see the Serious family problems or Child protection matters pages on the LSS website. If
you don't qualify for legal representation, you may still be eligible for legal advice services. To find out for sure whether your particular case qualifies for legal representation, go to your local legal aid office (or call the provincial LSS Call Centre)
to apply.
What is court harassment?
Court-related abuse and harassment happens when one party in a family law action uses the legal system or repeated or ongoing legal actions to harass and abuse the other party. See our fact sheet What if your ex is harassing you through the courts? for a detailed description of this type of harassment. If you're financially eligible, you may qualify for legal representation (a lawyer paid by legal aid) because of these or similar instances of court-related harassment. For more information about legal representation, see the legal aid Serious family problems and How to apply for legal aid pages.
What is an Aboriginal delegated agency?
Aboriginal delegated agencies provide child welfare services to Aboriginal communities. Aboriginal delegated agencies are part of the Ministry of Children and Family Development; if a social worker tells you that you're being investigated for a child protection matter, he or she may be working for an Aboriginal delegated agency. Aboriginal delegated agencies may have the authority to remove your child from your home and place your child in care. See also the Aboriginal Child Protection Fact Sheet Understanding Aboriginal Delegated Agencies.
The ministry's website has a full list of Aboriginal delegated agencies in BC.
Still got a question
If your legal information question isn't answered here, please send us an email. Provide some background information for your question, including where you live in BC and the level of court involved (Provincial or Supreme), if applicable. Your question (without your name or identifying details) and its answer may be added to our FAQ pages.
If we can't answer your question, we may have to refer you elsewhere.
We can't guarantee that your question will be answered quickly. If you need a quick response, contact one of the resources listed in Who can help?
