Do I have to take a Parenting After Separation course?

In all provincial court locations, you are required to complete Parenting After Separation for Indigenous Families or Parenting After Separation (in Punjabi and English) before you can move forward with an application about a family law matter. A Parenting After Separation course is required when an application about a Family Law Matter has been filed for these matters:

• Guardianship
• Parenting arrangement including parenting time and parenting responsibilities
• Child support
• Contact with a child
• Spousal support

Each party must complete one of the Parenting After Separation courses before attending the Family Management Conference, unless they receive an exemption.

To complete Parenting After Separation

1. Take one of the free Parenting After Separation courses online:
   • Parenting After Separation for Indigenous Families
   • Parenting After Separation (in Punjabi and English)
2. Wait for court staff to contact you with information about your first court date, also know as the family management conference.
3. Attend the family management conference.

You may not have to take a PAS course if:

• You’ve completed Parenting After Separation for Indigenous Families or Parenting After Separation (in Punjabi and English) within the past two (2) years
• The family law matter is property division respecting a companion animal
• The family law matter is about spousal support and the matter is not about children
• Every child involved in the family law matter has reached 19 years of age
• You can’t access an online version
• The course isn’t offered in the language you’re fluent in (most comfortable with)
• You can’t complete it because of literacy challenges
• You have a serious medical condition
• You and the other parties are filing a consent order

If you qualify for an exemption

1. Complete the Notice of Exemption from Parenting After Separation Program (Form 20). For information, or for printed copies of the form, contact your local Provincial Court, Family Justice Centre or Justice Access Centre.
2. Contact the Family Justice Centre or Justice Access Centre nearest you to request approval of the exemption.
3. Provide the completed exemption form to the court registry to confirm you have met the requirement.

More information

• Information Guide: Family Law and Companion Animals in B.C.