This is one of the most common questions we hear.
Family law is about how the law can help you with your legal issues such as property division, parenting, and decision-making when family transitions such as adding a family member, or transitioning into or out of a family relationship occur.
Some of the laws that can apply to family law are Canada’s Divorce Act, Civil Marriage Act, Assisted Human Reproduction Act, Marriage (Prohibited Degrees) Act, Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, and B.C.’s Adoption Act, Child Family and Community Services Act, Family Law Act, Family Relations Act, Marriage Act, Name Act, and Vital Statistics Act, and the Wills, Estates and Succession Act.
Family transitions we can help with are:
- adding a child to your family through adoption or fertility options (surrogacy, sperm or egg donation agreements)
- marriage and cohabitation (agreements so you and your spouse are on the same page)
- separation and divorce (how to best divide property and debts, guardianship, parenting time and responsibilities, child and spousal support, protection orders)
- parenting responsibilities (parenting plans and parenting coordination)
- child protection and services (decision-making and care)
- elder family members (decision-making and care)
Depending on your circumstances we use different tools such as negotiation, collaborative law, mediation, arbitration, parenting coordination, hear the child interviews and as a last resort court.