Family Law Blog

Once a British Columbia court orders spousal support to be paid by one spouse to the other, that support must be paid according to the terms of the order—unless there is a court-ordered modification or termination of the support. The payor has a legal obligation to make these payments to the recipient, or various enforcement […]

Parents need to finalize child custody matters before a divorce will be granted in British Columbia. In most cases, after separation, both parents are involved in the decision-making processes for the children, who spend approximately equal time with each parent. However, this is not always practical or considered in the best interests of the children. […]

Some divorces in British Columbia are not only contested over the settlement terms but also over the need to get a divorce in the first place. One spouse may feel that the marriage has broken down irretrievably while the other spouse feels that they can “work it out.”  Certain requirements must be met for a […]

Divorce is a legal process that ends a marriage, requiring spouses to follow a well-defined set of steps before they are legally considered divorced.  No two divorces are the same, but it helps to understand the standard processes and the potential pitfalls you may encounter along the way.  Not all divorces in BC are acrimonious […]

When a married couple separates in British Columbia, each spouse has a set of legal rights and responsibilities covering issues like parenting, property division, and support. But do the same rights apply to common-law separation? Partners who decide not to marry and, instead live together in a marriage-like relationship, do enjoy many of the same […]

Separations and divorce are often stressful times. Whether you have been together for two years or 30 years, it can be tough on both your physical and mental health. If there are dependent children from a marriage or common-law relationship, this only adds to the difficulties faced when parting. Judges in British Columbia try to […]

Child support in BC is the right of the child and parents cannot negotiate away the requirement to pay it. Such support is seen as essential in fulfilling the parents’ responsibility to support their children and to satisfy the rights of the child to have his/her needs fulfilled. Consequently, failure to pay support is treated […]

When a couple separates and divorces in British Columbia, many situations can arise that are both stressful and difficult to resolve. Matters such as child custody, property division, spousal support, and child support can all create difficulties and without a process to resolve disagreements, they can escalate into disputes that require court intervention. A legally […]

Parents in BC who want to relocate with children after a divorce should not act impulsively or neglect the responsibilities that they have towards the children, the other parent, and the other important people in the children’s lives. Relocating without understanding the full implications of the move and informing the relevant parties can create serious […]

Whether the British Columbia court system orders divorce mediation or you enter it voluntarily, it helps to know how to increase your chances of success with the process.  Successful mediation can improve the outcomes for all concerned. helping to resolve the key divorce issues, such as custody and parenting, child support, marital property division, and […]