BC residents can now estimate child support, spousal support, probate fees, and more — free, online, no sign-up required. Here are five interactive tools that give you real numbers before you call a lawyer.
One of the most common questions people ask before hiring a family or estate lawyer is: *"How much am I looking at?"* And it's a fair question. Legal matters touch your finances, your home, your children — you deserve a realistic picture before you commit to anything.
Sea to Sky Law™ has built five free interactive tools so BC residents can get real, personalized estimates in minutes — no sign-up, no sales call, no obligation.
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## 1. Child Support Calculator — BC
Try it: [Child Support Calculator →](/child-support-calculator-bc)
Child support in BC is calculated under the federal Child Support Guidelines — a formula based on the paying parent's gross annual income, the number of children, and the province of residence. There's no guessing involved: the number is mandatory and comes out of a table.
Our calculator walks you through:
- Number of children and their ages
- The paying parent's gross annual income
- Parenting arrangement (sole, shared, or split custody)
- Whether special or extraordinary expenses apply (childcare, tutoring, extracurriculars, medical)
What you get: The base monthly child support amount under the Guidelines, plus a breakdown of how shared-parenting adjustments work if both parents have the children at least 40% of the time.
*Takes about 3 minutes.*
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## 2. Spousal Support Calculator — BC
Try it: [Spousal Support Calculator →](/spousal-support-calculator-bc)
Spousal support is more nuanced than child support — it depends on the length of the relationship, each spouse's income, whether there are children, and the purpose the support is meant to serve (compensatory, non-compensatory, or contractual). The Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) give courts a range, not a single number.
Our calculator uses the SSAG formula to produce:
- A low, mid-range, and high monthly spousal support figure
- An estimated duration range
- An explanation of which formula applies to your situation (with-child or without-child)
What you get: A realistic range — the same range a lawyer would show you at an initial consultation — so you can plan your finances and approach negotiations with confidence.
*Takes about 5 minutes.*
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## 3. Probate Fee Calculator — BC
Try it: [Probate Fee Calculator →](/probate-fee-calculator-bc)
When someone dies in BC, their estate often needs to go through probate — a court process that confirms the will and authorizes the executor to distribute the estate. BC charges probate fees based on the gross value of the estate, and they are not trivial.
Our calculator covers:
- Gross estate value (real estate, bank accounts, investments, personal property)
- Assets that bypass probate (jointly held property, registered accounts with named beneficiaries, life insurance)
- The current BC probate fee schedule (updated for 2026)
What you get: The estimated probate fee, a breakdown of which assets are included or excluded, and notes on strategies that can legitimately reduce the fee through proper estate planning.
*Takes about 2 minutes.*
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## 4. Estate Planning Checklist — BC
Try it: [Estate Planning Checklist →](/estate-planning-checklist-bc)
This isn't a calculator — it's a 37-item interactive checklist covering every aspect of estate planning that BC residents should have in order. Work through it at your own pace and see exactly where your estate plan is complete, and where the gaps are.
The checklist covers five areas:
1. Your Will — Does it exist? Is it current? Is it properly witnessed and stored?
2. Powers of Attorney — Do you have both a financial POA and a representation agreement for healthcare decisions?
3. Assets and Beneficiaries — Are your registered accounts (RRSP, TFSA, RRIF), life insurance policies, and jointly held assets set up the way you intend?
4. Executor Duties — If you are an executor, do you know your obligations and where to find everything?
5. After a Separation — If you have recently separated, have you updated your will, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney?
What you get: A live progress bar, a summary card of completed vs. outstanding items, and a clear picture of what to tackle first when you speak with an estate lawyer.
*Takes about 10 minutes.*
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## 5. Business Legal Health Check
Try it: [Business Legal Health Check →](/business-legal-health-check)
BC small business owners often put legal housekeeping last — until something goes wrong. This 24-question Yes/No assessment scores your business across five categories:
1. Corporate Structure — Is your incorporation up to date? Are your minute books current?
2. Contracts — Do you have written agreements with clients, suppliers, and key employees?
3. Employees & Contractors — Are your employment agreements, HR policies, and contractor classifications legally sound?
4. Intellectual Property — Are your trademarks, confidentiality agreements, and business name registrations in order?
5. Succession & Exit — Do you have a shareholders agreement? A buy-sell agreement? A succession plan?
What you get: A risk score (Low / Medium / High), a breakdown by category, and a prioritisized list of the gaps you should address — so your next conversation with a business lawyer is focused and efficient.
*Takes about 5 minutes.*
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## Bonus: "Which Service Is Right for Me?" Quiz
Try it: [Which service is right for me? →](/)
Not sure which practice area fits your situation? The 4-question quiz on our home page scores your answers across Family Law, Estate Law, Business Law, and Mediation & ADR — and points you to the most relevant resources for your circumstances.
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## See All Tools in One Place
All five calculators and checklists are gathered at: [seatoskylaw.ca/tools-bc](/tools-bc)
Bookmark it, share it, or use it as a starting point before your free intake call. The numbers and insights these tools produce are the same ones we discuss at the beginning of every client relationship — now you can explore them on your own schedule, at no cost.
Ready to talk through your results? Book a free intake call — we're available by phone or secure video.
Yes — completely free, no account or sign-up required. The calculator uses the federal Child Support Guidelines tables
The calculator applies the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines formula and produces the same low-to-high range a lawyer would calculate. It is a realistic estimate, not legal advice — individual circumstances can move the final number within or outside the range.
Yes. BC charges probate fees (also called estate administration tax) on the gross value of estate assets that pass through probate. Assets held jointly, in registered accounts with named beneficiaries, or in life insurance with named beneficiaries typically bypass probate and are not subject to the fee.
The tools help you understand your situation — they do not replace legal advice. Once you have a sense of the numbers and issues involved, a free intake call with Andrew Liggett can confirm whether and how legal advice would help your specific situation.