When a couple is having marital issues and they’re considering ending their union, there are a number of things to consider. A divorce in British Columbia can be costly, so each person should weigh the options before a final decision is made and one point to consider is whether it’s more costly to stay together or to separate. In any case, if a couple does decide to part ways, doing so amicably is much less financially taxing. Litigation is expensive and keeping a divorce out of the court system is a goal to which both spouses should aspire. The average cost for a contested divorce i ..read more

In Canada, couples who are cohabiting are considered to be legally married after a certain amount of time has passed. In British Columbia, that amount of time is two years. But some couples don’t look favourably on the government deciding their relationship status. A recent survey of couples living together in romantic relationships suggests they believe the law infringes on how they shape their relationships. Becoming married by default after two years is something that doesn’t reflect every couple’s wishes. There are some who say the laws relating to cohabitation creates some problems i ..read more

There are no guarantees in life, and the same goes for marriage. No couple gets married with the notion that it will all come to a screeching halt one day. But some marriages do end in divorce. One family law tool that has gained popularity in recent years is the marriage agreement ‚ also referred to as a prenuptial agreement. There are circumstances under which creating a marriage agreement can be a prudent move for you and your partner. A marriage agreement aims to safeguard the assets of both individuals, should the marriage end in divorce. Historically, the individual who has the most to l ..read more

Every person has the responsibility to ensure that children are kept safe from harm. There are family law rules in place in British Columbia that speak to the best interests of children. So, what should you do if you suspect a child in your family is being abused ‚ either physically, emotionally or sexually? First, it‚ important to understand the indicators of potential abuse. Children who are being abused often show signs that something is wrong. Some warning signs include: Bruises or other marks on a child Fractures that can’t be explained Poor hygiene Inappropriate clothing for weather con ..read more

As with many things, leaving a marriage can be more easily navigated if you have a plan in place. Divorce is never easy, but couples who have a practical approach to the process are in a better position to get through it with minimal anxiety and expense. You may think the divorce process begins when you first file for divorce. However, the steps you take before this happens can have important impacts that you may not expect: Before separating If you and your spouse have decided to divorce but have not yet separated, using this time to gather documentation of your shared assets can be advantage ..read more

When married couples decide their marriages are no longer working and make the decision to separate, it can affect their children as much as it can affect them. Divorce is not a decision made lightly. British Columbia couples who make that decision and who are also parents have to walk a fine line between meeting their own needs and the needs of their children. The choices that parents make in times of turmoil might help or hinder their children. Some psychologists say there are things parents in this circumstance might do to thwart their own emotional pain, but which might be detrimental to t ..read more

Deciding to separate leaves a couple with many things to consider. When separation will ultimately lead to divorce, British Columbia individuals need to keep in mind the date they actually separated since that will have a bearing on a number of issues. It’s not always the easiest to pinpoint an exact date, however, since some couples decide to remain under the same roof during the separation. If a couple no longer maintains a level of intimacy or no longer have a sexual relationship (have separate bedrooms) and have made that decision based on separation, the time that decision was made could ..read more

A couple making the decision to end their marriage may have had some volatile conversations leading up to that decision. But experts say moving into a new decade British Columbia couples should learn how to discuss divorce in a more adult-like manner — even when the issue is usually fraught with high emotions. The first step in discussing divorce is honesty since staying in a marriage when all avenues to rectify contentious issues have failed is not doing either individual or any children of the marriage any good. Some of the major issues that need to be ironed out are child custody, what will ..read more

Once a couple has made the decision to end their marriage, they may want everything to be settled as quickly as possible. There are rules under family law in British Columbia that must be followed, however, rushing into a settlement without thought of the future may be a mistake. Many people focus on the present rather than thinking about what kinds of lives they want in the future, so taking time to think about that during the divorce process is very important. Ideally, a divorcing couple will want to agree on a settlement that meets the needs of the present, while keeping the future in mind ..read more

When British Columbia parents decide to part ways, emotions often run high. Feelings of resentment, anger and sadness often interfere with fruitful negotiations. If they keep three things in mind, however, it may be possible to put those feelings aside in order to receive the maximum benefits possible from family law mediation. First, it helps to put the children’s needs first. Would bickering with the other parent make the situation better for them? Would trying to keep the other parent away from the children out of spite or anger help the children in the short or long term? More than likely ..read more