Parenting After Separation courses

Parenting After Separation is a free, three-hour information session for BC parents — and other family members, such as grandparents, or guardians — who are dealing with child custody, guardianship, access, and support issues. The course explains the effects of separation on separating parents and their children and demonstrates effective ways to communicate and solve problems in parenting situations. Any separating parents can choose to attend this course. For more information, see the Ministry of Attorney General's Family Justice website.

Parenting After Separation and Provincial Court

In some communities, where the Provincial Court is "designated" under Provincial Court (Family) Rule 21 (scroll down to Rule 21) to promote settling issues outside the courtroom, separating couples must attend Parenting After Separation sessions before the registry staff will set a first appearance date for their cases.

Note: In urgent situations, you can apply to the court to skip or postpone this step.

If the course is mandatory where you live, Provincial Court registry staff will give you a referral. When you have completed the course, you will receive a certificate of attendance that you must file with the registry before they will set a first appearance date. Both parties must attend the course on or before the first appearance date. You can choose to attend a Parenting After Separation course if you want to (and one is available in your community), even if it is not required.

Note: It is a good idea to find out as soon as possible if you have to enrol in a Parenting After Separation course — sometimes the waiting list to get into a course can be quite long.

You do not have to attend this course if you:

  • have attended the course already within the past 24 months;
  • are not fluent in any language in which the course is offered;
  • live in an area where the course is not offered; or
  • cannot attend because you have serious health problems.

If one of these situations applies to you, complete and file a Parenting After Separation Exemption Request (Form 31) (Word) at the court registry instead of the certificate of attendance.

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.
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.

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