When a relationship ends, deciding who keeps the dog can be one of the hardest parts of the separation. Many people call it “pet custody.” BC law treats the issue a little differently. Since January 15, 2024, the Family Law Act has included specific rules for “companion animals.” Courts now have a defined list of […]
A single cheque for spousal support can have very different tax consequences depending on what it pays for. If it covers monthly payments already due under a court order, it may be taxable to the recipient and deductible to the payer. If it settles the right to receive future support, it generally has no tax
If you think your spouse is hiding assets in a BC divorce, the law gives you real leverage. Section 5 of the Family Law Act requires a party to a family law dispute to give the other party full and true information for the purpose of resolving it. A spouse who breaks that duty can
Separation brings out a familiar instinct: if you can capture the moment on your phone the threat, the broken promise, the ugly comment at a custody exchange surely a judge will see the truth. It feels like insurance. In practice, the law in British Columbia is far more layered than “hit record and hope for
Almost every first meeting starts with the same question: Will this be simple, or will it turn into a fight? In British Columbia, the answer usually comes down to agreement. An uncontested divorce generally moves through the registry on paper. A contested divorce in BC follows the court process and can take much longer, especially
Guardianship in BC comes with a legal obligation to the other parent, not just to the child. If you share guardianship, taking your child out of Canada without the other parent’s consent or a court order can be a criminal offence under the Criminal Code, and it can trigger an international return process under the
Life doesn’t stand still, even after a parenting order is finalized. Your work schedule may change, your child’s needs evolve, or your co-parent may stop following the plan. Whatever the reason, you’re left wondering: Can I change a custody order in BC? The good news is that BC law allows orders to be “varied” when
Before you can calculate spousal support, you have to answer a more basic question: are you entitled to it at all? In British Columbia, entitlement isn’t automatic just because you were married or lived together. It has to be established first, and only then does the conversation move to amount and duration. This article focuses
Moving with your kids after a separation isn’t just a personal decision in British Columbia — it’s a legal one. Under the Family Law Act, a guardian who wants to relocate a child has to follow a specific process, and skipping it can cost you the move entirely. If you’re planning to relocate, or you
You know your marriage is over, but moving out is not always possible. Financial pressures, children, or housing costs may mean you and your spouse continue sharing the same home for months. If you’re separated but living together in BC, you may wonder whether the time still counts toward a divorce. The good news is
