Who can enrol
BC says either a recipient or payor can enrol if one of the parties lives in BC and there is a valid support order or agreement that can be collected in BC.
Agreements must be enforceable
For enforcement through BCFMA, a written support agreement must be filed with the court so it can be treated as an enforceable support obligation. BCFMA provides separate filing guidance for Provincial Court and Supreme Court agreements.
What BCFMA does
Once enrolled, BCFMA can collect and track payments and take statutory enforcement steps where appropriate. It also calculates arrears for the enrolled case based on the order or agreement and payment information.
Changing support is different
BCFMA administers the existing support obligation; it does not simply rewrite the amount because income or circumstances changed. A variation, adjustment process or new agreement/order may be required.
Cost planning
Because enrolment is free, BCFMA may reduce the need for private enforcement work in ordinary support-collection situations. Legal advice may still be needed for disputed arrears, variation or interpretation problems.