In family law, the journey through separation and divorce can often be fraught with conflict, stress, and uncertainty. However, amidst the emotional turbulence, hope exists with a resolution-first separation. This approach, championed by Connect Family Law, embodies the principles of collaboration, communication, and compassion, ultimately leading to transformative outcomes for families navigating the complexities of separation. Prioritizing Collaboration Over Conflict Traditional adversarial methods can exacerbate tensions, prolong disputes, and escalate costs. In contrast, resolution-first s ..read more

In the ever-evolving landscape of family law, one factor has become increasingly prevalent and impactful: social media. In 2024, the digital footprint left by individuals on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter has become a consideration in family law cases. As compassionate and resolution-focused family lawyers, we recognize the importance of understanding and navigating the complexities of social media in today’s legal landscape. Social media has fundamentally transformed how we communicate, connect, and share information. At the same time, these platforms offer many benefits but ..read more

People often become highly suspicious of their ex after a separation, particularly where children or money are involved. Emotions can run high, trust can break down, and the impulse to see the absolute worst in a once beloved individual can become overridingly strong. In this state, an individual risks transforming into the “divorce detective”, on the hunt for any clue that their ex is a bad person, a bad parent, or hiding money. In the eyes of a divorce detective, innocuous pictures and videos become the smoking gun that will prove that their ex is evil incarnate. Fortunately (or perhaps unfo ..read more

This is a question that comes up regularly in my consultations with new clients.  As a certified family law mediator and trained collaborative practitioner, I am a proponent of both and see the many advantages of each of these out of court processes.  Both options are typically less adversarial, less expensive, faster and offer more flexibility than going through the court process, however, there are some differences to consider when choosing which path is right for you and your family matter. Mediation In mediation, the parties will retain a neutral third-party mediator who helps to ..read more

The path to starting a family is not one size fits all.  Regardless of whether you are growing your family, or just starting it, everyone takes their own unique path. No matter your circumstances, adoption is a wonderful and fulfilling path to take. Everything you need to know related to the process of adoption in British Columbia can be found in the Adoption Act. The paramount concern for the Courts anytime they are required to make a decision involving children is the best interests of the child. The best interests of the child the court considers in these decisions can be found at sect ..read more

When a surviving spouse is disappointed by the will of a deceased, there are recourses available to them. The first question is whether the spouses had separated at any point in their relationship. If the spouses have not separated, a wills variation claim (an application to change a will) is available to the disappointed spouse. If the spouses have separated, the ex-spouse can start an ‘after-death’ Family Law Act (FLA) claim.  If spouses have not separated… The Wills, Estates, and Succession Act (WESA) requires a will to provide adequate support to the will-maker’s spouse and children ..read more

If an individual wishes to control how their assets are divided, outside of default rules, this is done with a marriage or cohabitation agreements and a will. Marriage agreements or cohabitation agreements are legal documents that outline spouses’ wishes for the distribution of their property upon separation. A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes regarding the distribution of property upon death. Statutes such as the Family Law Act (FLA) and Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA), provide default rules for the distribution of property when there are not agreements or a will in ..read more

Mediation is a powerful tool for resolving disputes outside of the courtroom. It offers parties an opportunity to find mutually agreeable solutions with the assistance of a neutral third party, the mediator. Participating in mediation offers two distinct options: with or without the involvement of lawyers, each carrying its own set of considerations. Mediation Without Lawyers In this scenario, two parties engage in the mediation process without the presence of lawyers. The mediator facilitates joint sessions where the parties work towards a preliminary agreement. It’s important to note that wh ..read more

One week from now my middle child is getting married!  We have been busy planning guest lists, flowers, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers…the list goes on.  The wedding industry is unrelenting.  My daughter is committed to keeping things simple, yet there is no end to the websites, Pinterest posts and articles about how to plan for your special day.  Yet few mention the importance of financial planning.  Have you and your fiancé talked about budgeting?  Is one of you a spender and the other a saver?  Are you aware of each other’s debts?  Discussing finan ..read more

As a family lawyer, one of my most critical priorities is discouraging clients from wasting precious funds on unnecessary litigation. Particularly when it comes to trial, the cost of which can quickly advance to six figures, it is imperative to ensure that your position is reasonable and systematically fleshed out, before making the decision to proceed. Unfortunately, given the complex interpersonal dynamics which generally accompany family matters, the motivation to litigate can often be emotional, rather than rational.  A leading example of issues which may not be worth taking to court ..read more