No.  There's no such thing as a "common-law marriage" in BC. You must go through a legal marriage ceremony to be considered legally married.

There’s no application. Spousal status depends on whether your relationship meets the legal definition.

•Be guardians of their children.

•Request parenting time and responsibilities.

•Seek spousal and child support.

•Share in family property and debt.

•Apply for protection orders.

No.  long-term cohabiting partners may qualify for spousal support.

Spousal support (also called spousal maintenance) is money that's paid by one spouse to the other after separation. Usually, it's paid under an agreement or court order.

The court looks at whether:

•One person stayed home or worked less to support the other’s work or studies.

•One person prioritized the other's career or moved to help their career.

•Either person will struggle to find a job due to time spent caring for children or the household.

•One person was financially dependent during the relationship.

•The breakup causes a major difference in standard of living between the two.

•One person needs temporary financial support to become self-sufficient.

Child support is meant to help cover the general cost of raising the child. The receiving parent decides how to allocate it.

Every child in BC has a right to child support. Children are legally entitled to child support from the parent who doesn't live with them.  This means that one person has to give the other person money to help support the children.

Child support usually lasts until the child turns 19, but can end before or after in special circumstances.

The amount is based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The federal government has already set the amount of child support to be paid, and it can't be negotiated.

The amount is based on:

•how much the person paying support earns,

•how many children they have to support.

Most family law issues except for divorce can be resolved through agreements between the spouses rather than through court litigation.

Divorce and property division are based on legal entitlements, not moral blame.

In marriage, both spouses typically have an equal right to the matrimonial home acquired during the relationship, regardless of ownership. 

All property and debt acquired during the marriage is considered "family property" and "family debt.

It doesn't matter whose name the property is in. The law says it's still family property.

Family property includes: the family home, RRSPs,  investments, bank accounts, insurance policies, pensions, businesses, the amount that pre-relationship property increased in value since the relationship started, and companion animals.

Death ends a marriage automatically. No divorce is necessary.

Yes. A separation agreement is helpful but not required.

You can get divorced without a separation agreement if there are no parenting, support, or property issues to resolve.

Yes. One spouse can file for divorce without the other’s consent, as long as legal criteria are met.

Yes. You are separated once you decide and act on it.

If there is risk to their safety or wellbeing. A spouse can request a protection order under the FLA if they fear for their safety, or there's a threat of violence or abuse. 

A person who fears violence from a family member

can apply to the court for a protection order.

Protection orders are court orders made under the

Family Law Act, that protect someone from being

harmed by their family member.

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NOTE: A protection order is to protect you from a family member who is likely to cause violence to you or your other family members. It is not to protect from strangers or acquaintances

•Physical abuse (hitting, biting, choking, kicking, etc.) or attempts to physically abuse

•Psychological and emotional abuse

•Sexual abuse

•Following or stalking

•Harassing, online or in-person

•Coercion and intimidation

•Threats against a person, pets, or property

•Damaging property

•Exposing children to family violence