Divorce in B.C.?

Question

I have been seperated from my spouse for about 4 years now, both friends, and in seperate long-term relationships. (in Vancouver area) I have a young son with my spouse, that i take full care of, father has play visits occasionally on the weekend. I want to get a divorce, but really have no clue how to do it. And i have no money for lawyers. the divorce will be clean, and nothing to contest, but i do want to file for full custody of my son, as i already make all the daily choices anyhow. where to go? what to do? who to call?

I think i must have written it without all clarity...
We are both dating other people. COMPLETELY not in love, but promised to keep a friendly relationship so our son doesn't suffer.
We are not trying to get back together. I think i jumped into the marriage too fast,a nd a main reason for not actively pursueing the divorce, was so that i give myself time to date, fall in love with someone else, but not 'rebound'. the ex-hubby walked out 4.5 years ago, and neither one of us really have any regrets about it. (it has been very difficult for me) but i was certainly happier on my own with my son.
we have nothing to fight about other than custody of the boy. and possibly some monetary help from him. but i have been told that the divorce is a seperate issue than the child related issues, so i wanted to get the ball rolling. i just don't have the money to pay for lawyers on my own. BTW...thanks for all the great answers!

Answer 1

you can do it on your own, with a little $$$ out of pocket. If you have a computer or a library that has one, you can print up your own legal documents and file for divorce thru the clerk of court. This info is available at your public library. Ask for the "do it yourself" divorce booklet. good luck

Answer 2

You're just going to have to save up some money for lawyers. You say there is nothing to contest. Marriage is a contract and when you break it, there are legal questions to answer. You want to know what they all are. So just save the money up, pay the lawyers and do it! If your husband is going to fight the full custody issue, you should know about that now. Have you asked him? Why are you afraid to proceed the way thousands in much worse circumstances have? Where to go? A good lawyer's office. What to do? Tell him you want to divorce your husband. Who to call? Your husband and the lawyer, in that order. Done.

Answer 3

You need to speak to a family lawyer in your area this will always cost some money. The whole custody battle will be the hardest unless he doesn't want anything to do with the kid.
Really though talk to a family lawyer and get the information you need.

Question seperated 4yrs why have you waited so long?


JUST OPEN THE PHONE BOOK UP TO LAWYER'S AND DIAL ONE THAT SAYS FAMILY LAW.

Answer 4

You can go to the court house and get papers to fill out and file yourself.When you have them finished,you go back to the court house and have them stamped and authorized by a court clerk.Here in Ontario the cost to have them stamped is 35.00.No charge for picking up the paperwork.
Since there is no contest you should have no problem.
There is everything on the forms from child support to alimony.Just fill in the blanks.
I know this is Ontario but I would think the same applies in B.C.
My son just did this last yr.and it woked out well for him and his ex as there was no big lawyer fees etc.
Good Luck.

Answer 5

look, the divorce law is made exactlly for this kind of situations.you managed to seperate for 4 years,so just try to keep that in mind and `revenge` in some more,well human way(I know this isn`t the right word for what I`m trying to say). now it doesen`t matter how much you love him, or care about him, because the fact is-it`s over.it may seem cruel but I`m honest. so my advice is-find some male friend of yours,doesen`t matter what`s he like.start to go out,you don`t have to have a relationship or something like that.just start to have your own life,life without him.you`ll see,if you try you may have the best time of your life.

Answer 6

Hi. I'm from BC too, just so you know, and I am going through a divorce as we speak. I will probably get the divorce and finalize it as soon as possible because I'm going through legal aide. There must be legal aide in Vancouver as well (I'm in the Okanagan). Start with an appointment with legal Aide and see what happens from there. Good luck!

Answer 7

I think you should go to counseling first, if it don't work and you have done every thing in your power, to keep your marriage together, well, file for divorce, you can go to legal aid, I believe they have lawyers that the government pays for. Good Luck

Answer 8

in Michigan, you can do your own divorce, if there's no children involved. you need a lawyer, sorry, sometimes social services will help, and if you file first, he'll have to pay for half of it. go to your county building, or law library, anyone there should help you research it

Answer 9

i would suggest getting a free consultation with a lawyer who could give advice and tell you what papers to fill out and stuff then that information could be heplful in getting the ideas to get a quick easy divorce

Answer 10

Call your local DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT. Someone there will direct you to who you need to talk to, and the papers you need to file. They'll take you through it, just tell them you need help. You don't need a lawyer, but will have to pay court fees.