Joint custody agreements
"Joint custody" is no longer the statutory language in BC. Arrangements for children after separation are now framed as guardianship, parental responsibilities and parenting time under BC law, and decision-making responsibility and parenting time under the federal Divorce Act. A parenting agreement sets out how these are shared.
How BC law treats it
Since 2013 the Family Law Act, SBC 2011 c 25 uses guardianship, parental responsibilities and parenting time, and since 2021 the Divorce Act uses decision-making responsibility and parenting time. Any arrangement must be in the child's best interests.
What it means for your business
Business owners going through separation should get family law advice, since parenting and support issues often interact with business income and assets.
Risks and common mistakes
Using outdated custody terms in an agreement can create ambiguity about who holds decision-making authority.
Browse the full Fulcrum Law Dictionary for related terms.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
