How to Apply for BC Family Maintenance Enforcement

Navigating family law in a new country can be overwhelming, especially when it involves ensuring that your children receive the financial support they're entitled to. In British Columbia, the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP) helps families by monitoring and enforcing court orders and agreements for child support and spousal support.

This guide explains what FMEP is, who can use it, how to register, and what enforcement tools are available if the person owing support fails to pay.

What Is the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program?

The Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP) is a free provincial government program that helps ensure maintenance (support) payments are made as ordered by a court or agreed to in a written agreement filed in court. The program is operated by the BC Ministry of Attorney General.

FMEP does not determine how much support should be paid or create support orders — that's the role of the courts. Instead, FMEP enforces existing orders and agreements. If the person who owes support (the payor) doesn't pay, FMEP has powerful tools to collect the money.

Visit the official FMEP website at fmep.gov.bc.ca for full details.

Who Can Use FMEP?

Both the person receiving support (the recipient) and the person paying support (the payor) can register with FMEP. Registration is voluntary but strongly recommended for recipients because it provides enforcement power you wouldn't have on your own.

To register, you must have one of the following:

• A court order for child support or spousal support from a BC court
• A written agreement for support that has been filed with the court
• A support order from another Canadian province or territory (which can be registered in BC)
• A support order from another country that has a reciprocal enforcement agreement with BC

Benefits of Registering with FMEP

Even if the payor is currently making payments on time, registering with FMEP provides several benefits:

• Payment monitoring: FMEP tracks all payments and maintains records, which can be valuable if disputes arise later.
• Immediate enforcement: If the payor stops paying or falls behind, FMEP can take enforcement action without you having to go back to court.
• No cost: The program is free for both recipients and payors.
• Automatic interception: FMEP can intercept the payor's federal payments (like tax refunds) to cover arrears.
• Ongoing support: FMEP continues to enforce until the support obligation ends (e.g., when a child turns 19) or until you withdraw from the program.

How to Register: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Before starting your registration, collect the following:

• A certified copy of your court order or filed agreement (you can get this from the court registry where it was filed)
• Your personal identification (BC driver's licence, BCID, or other government-issued ID)
• The payor's contact information (address, phone number, employer — as much as you know)
• Your banking information if you want payments deposited directly into your account

Step 2: Complete the Enrollment Form

You can enroll in FMEP in several ways:

• Online: Visit fmep.gov.bc.ca and follow the enrollment instructions.
• By mail or fax: Download the enrollment form from the FMEP website, complete it, and mail or fax it to FMEP.
• Through your lawyer: Your family lawyer can submit the enrollment on your behalf.
• At a Family Justice Centre: BC's Family Justice Centres can help you complete the enrollment. Find a location at gov.bc.ca/familyjustice.

Step 3: Submit Your Court Order

FMEP needs a copy of your court order or filed agreement to know how much support is owed, how often it should be paid, and any special terms. Submit a certified copy — a regular photocopy is not sufficient.

Step 4: Provide Payor Information

The more information you can provide about the payor, the more effectively FMEP can enforce the order. Key information includes:

• Full legal name and any aliases
• Date of birth and Social Insurance Number (if known)
• Current address
• Employer name and address
• Bank account information (if known)
• Assets (vehicles, real estate, investments)

Enforcement Tools Available to FMEP

FMEP has extensive enforcement powers. If the payor falls behind on payments, FMEP can use any combination of the following tools:

See also: How to Get Your SIN Number in Canada

1. Wage Attachment (Garnishment)

FMEP can issue a demand to the payor's employer requiring them to deduct support payments directly from the payor's wages and send them to FMEP. This is the most common enforcement tool.

2. Federal Interception

FMEP can intercept federal payments owed to the payor, including:

• Income tax refunds
• GST/HST credits
• Employment Insurance benefits
• Other federal payments

3. Driver's Licence Restrictions

FMEP can request that ICBC refuse to issue or renew the payor's driver's licence until arrears are brought current or a payment arrangement is made.

See also: Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits Guide

See also: First-Year Tax Filing Guide

4. Passport Restrictions

FMEP can request that the federal government deny or cancel the payor's passport if they owe more than three months of support.

5. Land Registration

FMEP can register a lien against the payor's real property (land and buildings) in the BC Land Title Office. If the property is sold, the arrears are paid from the proceeds.

6. Bank Account Seizure

FMEP can seize funds from the payor's bank accounts to cover arrears.

7. Credit Bureau Reporting

FMEP can report the payor's arrears to credit bureaus, which can affect their credit rating and ability to obtain loans or credit.

8. Court Proceedings

As a last resort, FMEP can bring the payor to court for default hearings. A judge can order various remedies, including jail time for contempt of court in extreme cases.

What Happens After You Register

1. FMEP reviews your enrollment and court order.
2. FMEP contacts the payor to inform them that the file is now being monitored.
3. If the payor has an employer, FMEP typically sets up a wage attachment as the default payment method.
4. Payments flow through FMEP — the payor pays FMEP, and FMEP forwards the payment to you (usually by direct deposit).
5. FMEP monitors for late or missing payments and takes enforcement action as needed.

For Newcomers: Important Things to Know

• Language support: FMEP can arrange interpretation services if you need help in a language other than English.
• Free legal help: If you need a support order but can't afford a lawyer, contact Legal Aid BC to see if you qualify for free legal services.
• Orders from other countries: If you have a support order from your home country, it may be enforceable in BC under reciprocal enforcement agreements. Contact FMEP or a family lawyer to find out.
• Immigration status doesn't matter: FMEP serves all residents of BC regardless of immigration status. You do not need to be a citizen or permanent resident to use the program.
• Confidentiality: FMEP keeps your personal information confidential. Your address and contact details are not shared with the payor.

Contact FMEP

• Phone: 1-888-216-2211 (toll-free in BC) or 250-220-5400 (Victoria)
• Website: fmep.gov.bc.ca
• Mail: Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, PO Box 9232 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9J1

The Family Maintenance Enforcement Program is a valuable resource for ensuring that children and families receive the financial support they are legally entitled to. Registration is free and provides powerful enforcement tools that you wouldn't have acting on your own. If you have a court order for support, registering with FMEP is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family's financial well-being.