Help to make an agreement

Arbitrators can help you resolve family law problems out of court. At an arbitration hearing, they listen to both sides, review the evidence, and then make a decision. They act like judges, and their decisions are like court orders and must be followed. The Lawyer Referral Service might be able to refer you to a family law lawyer who is an arbitrator.

Collaborative family law lawyers can help you reach an agreement. To find a collaborative family law lawyer, see BC Collaborative Roster Society. The Lawyer Referral Service might also be able to refer you to a lawyer who practises collaboratively.

Family justice counsellors (FJC) provide free mediation services to families. They work at Family Justice Centres across BC and at the Justice Access Centres in Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Surrey, Vancouver, and Victoria. To find out about FJC’s go to the BC Government website (in the search bar, type family justice counsellors).

Call Service BC at the numbers below and ask for the centre nearest you.

A family lawyer can help you reach an agreement and put it in writing. See Help from a lawyer to find one.

A mediator is a neutral person who can help you and your spouse talk to each other and reach an agreement about parenting, support, property division, and other family law problems.

To find a mediator, see the Mediate BC website. The Family Mediation Canada website also has information about qualified family mediators.

You can also contact a community organization, your local legal aid location, a family justice counsellor, or the Lawyer Referral Service to ask if they can refer you to a mediator.

A parenting coordinator is a lawyer, counsellor, social worker, or psychologist trained to mediate and arbitrate disputes between parents who already have a final order or agreement. They can help you carry out your parenting and child support arrangements and settle disagreements about your existing agreement, court order, or arrangements.

To find a parenting coordinator, see the BC Parenting Coordinators Roster Society website (click Members)