This course introduces the student to the role and responsibilities of a legal administrative assistant employed in the field of family law in British Columbia. Students will gain knowledge and practical experience in topics such as statutes and rules, divorce and family courts, marriage in B.C., pre-nuptual and separation agreements, undefended and defended divorce actions, chambers applications, annulment, and applications to Provincial Court. This is a "hands-on" course in which the students integrate keyboard, computer, and document formatting, with a knowledge of family law.
Prerequisites
Course type
This course is offered as part of a VCC program and cannot be taken individually.
International students: Eligibility is determined at the program level. Visit the program page for international student requirements and application information.
- Historical Overview: historical developments in family law
- Overview: why the family law client is unique
- Opening the family law file: sample lawyer's initial interview notes
- The Divorce Act: grounds for divorce, bars to divorce, forms of divorce (undefended, joint, defended), jurisdiction
- The Family Law Act: relief available, importance of provisions concerning division of family property, jurisdiction
- Application of the Supreme Court Family Rules
- Financial disclosure: Forms F8 and F9
- Child support: preparation of the Child Support Affidavit and application of the Child Support Guidelines
- Simple calculations of child support amounts
- Preparation of the Notice of Joint Family Claim in support of a joint divorce
- Preparation of the Notice of Family Claim and related documents in support of an undefended divorce
- Preparation of the Response to Family Claim and related documents in support of a defended divorce
- The divorce order: preparation, approval by counsel
Course schedules
Select your program to see the available course schedules.
How to take this course
This course is offered as part of a VCC program only.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email at [email protected].
† This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.