Child and Spousal Support Services
BCFMA provides free services to help families manage child and spousal support payments. Our services are available to eligible individuals throughout British Columbia who are required to pay support or are entitled to receive support under a court order or written agreement.
As an impartial intermediary, we help ensure support payments are collected, tracked, and distributed accurately and efficiently. Our goal is to support families by helping ensure support obligations are met in a fair, consistent, and timely manner.
We recognize that every family’s circumstances are unique. When questions or issues arise regarding support payments, we review the information available and communicate with both parties as needed before determining appropriate next steps.
We are committed to providing fair, respectful, and effective service while helping families manage their support obligations.
How We Can Help
Once your support order or agreement is enrolled with BCFMA, we can:
- Collect support payments required under a child or spousal support order or agreement, including eligible arrears and special or extraordinary expenses
- Maintain accurate records of all support payments received and disbursed
- Forward support payments to the recipient in a timely manner
- Monitor payment compliance and account activity
- Work with payors when payments are missed or overdue to help bring accounts up to date
- Take collection action, where appropriate
When Other Services May Be Needed
BCFMA administers, collects, and distributes support payments under existing support orders and agreements. Some matters fall outside our role and may require assistance from another service or legal process. Other services may be needed to:
- Obtain a new support order or agreement
- Change, vary, or cancel an existing support order or agreement
- Collect support when a court order or agreement does not specify a clear support amount
- Resolve disputes related to parenting time, custody, guardianship, or contact/access arrangements
Need a Support Order or Agreement?
If you do not yet have a support order or agreement, or if you need to change an existing one, you may need to seek legal advice or apply through the appropriate court process. Once a support order or agreement is in place and contains a specific support amount, BCFMA may be able to assist with its collection and administration.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Contact us. While some matters fall outside BCFMA’s role, we can help you understand your options and connect you with resources that may be able to assist.