A new online tool is now available to assist with finalizing divorces.
The online divorce assistant application, found at justice.gov.bc.ca/divorce, helps complete documentation for joint-filing divorces in B.C. Supreme Court in cases without children.
"The new online tool will eliminate mistakes by guiding users through the necessary steps to complete a joint filed divorce correctly," the Ministry of Attorney General said in a bulletin. "The streamlined process will reduce barriers and ease stress for couples seeking a divorce who may be intimidated by the amount of paperwork involved. It will also save time, and reduce demand on court administration staff."
In joint-filed divorces, both applicants agree on all family law issues relevant to their situation, such as spousal support and the division of family property and debts.
Close to 10,000 divorces are filed each year in B.C., with 30 per cent of those filed jointly, according to the ministry.
The online divorce assistant is designed for devices that are tablet-sized or larger, but can be used on any smartphone or computer. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete. After completing the application, users can print out the finished documents, and take them to a court registry for filing.
The application is expected to lay the framework for future developments, such as an online protection order service. Plans are underway to expand the online divorce assistant in coming months to include joint-filing divorces in cases that involve children, the ministry also said.
