Ask an expert: Resolving family issues out of court

Illustration of three people with question marks over their heads

April 14, 2022

In a family breakup, if you don’t agree on things, you don’t have to go to court. You can work through issues — whether about parenting, support, or dividing property — outside the courtroom. We show you how in a new set of videos and pages developed in collaboration with family law mediator and arbitrator JP Boyd, KC.

First, learn how approaches like mediation and collaborative negotiation are faster, cheaper, and more effective than fighting things out in court.

Then let JP Boyd, KC walk you through how family mediation works and how to prepare for it. Bonus coverage: he also offers tips on how to be successful on the day of your mediation.

Accompanying this ask an expert series (which is also available on YouTube) is a new page to help couples talk things through as they're going through a breakup. It offers tips for talking with your ex during separation.

This website explains in a general way the law that applies in British Columbia, Canada. The information is not intended as legal advice. The cases we refer to reflect real experiences, but names have been changed. See our full disclaimer.

Get the latest free info — sign up for our newsletter

Access the email newsletter archive.

Contact us

You can reach us by phone at 604-331-5400. More contact info.

Also from People's Law School

Dial-A-Law: A starting point for information on the law in British Columbia in 190+ topic areas. Available online and by phone.

Unbundled Legal Services: Learn about a new service model for lower-cost legal help. 

Beagle: A chatbot that helps with common legal problems. Look in the bottom right corner :)

Thanks to our funders

Meet our primary funders.

People's Law School logo

We are grateful to work on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, whose Peoples continue to live on and care for these lands.