Legal Help from Home is a Clicklaw Blog series highlighting free or low-cost resources available during COVID-19.
Public health directives associated with the response to the pandemic have changed accessibility to various services, creating what can be a confusing landscape for anyone needing access to legal resources. To ease confusion and highlight resources available and how to access them, Clicklaw has put together the Covid-19 Resources for British Columbians wikibook and will be featuring legal help and tools in this and other Clicklaw Blog posts. The resources featured in this series provide help beyond finding legal info and are accessible from home or remotely.
Separation during COVID-19: the Pro Bono Collaborative Family Law Project
The British Columbia Collaborative Roster Society is currently offering a remote, voluntary and confidential program to assist people going through a separation or divorce, called the Pro Bono Collaborative Family Law Project. This program is available for people who are unable to afford the Collaborative team for their case, and wish to negotiate and meet (via Zoom, a teleconferencing software) using the principles of Collaborative Practice.
Who is eligible?
The program is available to couples in which both parties:
- Agree to participate in settlement meetings; and
- Earn a combined gross annual income of $75,000 or less; and
- Have less than $100,000 worth of assets (excluding pension plans)
How will it work?
Interested parties are required to fill out an application form, at which point eligible applicants will be contacted by the Collaborative team. A team of professionals will be assigned to the successful applicant’s case, with the focus being to find a solution that works for both parties and any children involved. The team will include a lawyer for each party, a neutral divorce coach and if needed, a financial neutral to work with both parties to reach a settlement that works for all sides. This may include a parenting plan or arrangements around financial support, depending on the situation.
Get in contact
For more information about accessing this program and how to apply, visit https://www.bccollaborativerostersociety.com/practice/probono/
Find it on Clicklaw: https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1224
Stay informed:
To stay informed on resources available during COVID-19 restrictions, visit Covid-19 Resources for British Columbians.
Find it on Clicklaw: https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/4725 or use short URL: bit.ly/covid19bc
