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How long will it take before I receive payments through the BC Family Maintenance Agency (BCFMA)?

Last updated on September 19, 2025

There is no simple answer to the question of how long it will take to receive family support payments through the BC Family Maintenance Agency (BCFMA).

If the payor is making regular payments, you can enrol in BCFMA to keep track of your support. Your first payment may arrive within a month of your enrolment.

If the payor has a poor payment history and you enrol in BCFMA, it may take longer to receive payments.

If you don’t know where the payor lives or works and BCFMA needs to find this information, it will take extra time. They will need to search for the payor’s address, employer and assets.

Information you provide about the payor can help BCFMA with collecting your support. This could include information about the payor’s:

  • Location
  • Job
  • Social insurance number
  • Assets, such as cars, boats, land or bank accounts

BCFMA will do their best to collect your payments once your support order or agreement is enrolled. If income assistance is the payor's sole source of income, BCFMA cannot by law attach that income. They will need to look for other assets or resources.

BCFMA will continue to pursue any money owed to you as long as your support order or agreement is enrolled.

 

Access free family justice services in person or virtually at Family Justice Centres and Justice Access Centres.

  • Staff across B.C. can help you understand your options during separation or divorce. They can talk with you and assess your needs, and provide information about:
    • Parenting arrangements
    • Guardianship
    • Child and spousal support
    • Contact with a child
    • Property division respecting a companion animal 
  • To find the location nearest you, see the list of Family Justice Centre locations

Take a free Parenting After Separation course.

Find more family law information and legal help:

In a joint divorce, you and your spouse apply together for a simple, uncontested divorce. You both agree on all family law issues that affect your family and only need to apply for a divorce order.

Apply for a joint divorce

B.C. has a central authority that helps parents when someone takes their children to another country without permission. For details and contact information visit the International child abduction page.