Interim Distribution of Property

Written by Gabrielle Clark

For accessibility, this guide has been translated into eleven languages - Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu.

This guide was created to help people understand when they might be able to access family property to help cover the costs of their legal proceedings. This guide does not contain legal advice. If you or someone you care about requires legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.

Interim distributions of property are only available to people who are considered “spouses.” For the purpose of property division, this normally means that they are married or have lived together for at least two years. When people separate, sometimes they have unequal access to income and assets. One partner may have worked, while the other stayed home. One partner may have contributed to RRSPs, TFSAs, or other investments in their own name, while the other was not able to. After the relationship broke down, one partner may have depleted shared accounts and kept the money for themselves. In some situations, like the examples above, one partner may have access to more money to pay for a lawyer and potentially leave the other person without.

To help make sure that both partners have access to family property, BC’s Family Law Act allows for an “interim distribution of property.” This guide answers common questions about an interim distribution of property and explains who may be able to get one.

We are thankful to the Department of Justice Canada to make this guide and it’s translations possible.

Photography by Melody Charlie

Editing by Naomi Pauls

Graphic design by Nadene Rehnby