Family Law Services

Yes. Only a Supreme Court judge can grant a divorce in BC. You or your spouse must have lived in BC for at least one year immediately before starting your divorce case. In most uncontested divorce cases, you won’t have to attend court in person.  Your lawyer can file the documents for you, and the judge will review the documents and either grant or reject your application for a divorce.

A divorce is considered complex when it involves issues beyond the straightforward division of property and debts. This can include high-value or multiple properties, business ownership, significant pensions or investments, cross-border assets, complicated parenting issues, or a history of family violence. These cases often require advanced legal strategy and expert evidence.

Under BC’s Family Law Act, family property generally includes all property (other than excluded property) that either spouse owns at the date of separation that was acquired during the relationship. This can include:

• Real estate
• RRSPs, pensions, and other retirement accounts
• Investments
• Bank accounts
• Business interests

It doesn’t matter whose name is on the title. If it was acquired during the relationship, it’s considered family property unless it is excluded property.

The amount and duration of spousal support depend on factors such as the length of the relationship, each spouse’s income, and their roles during the relationship.   Spousal support is negotiated, or ordered by a judge, on a case-by-case basis.

A child-centered approach means every decision, strategy, and recommendation is guided by the child’s long-term emotional, physical, and developmental needs. It prioritizes stability, safety, and minimizing conflict for the child, even when that means compromise by the parents.

Costs vary widely depending on the complexity of your case, how quickly issues are resolved, and whether the matter goes to trial. Litigation is expensive, and it’s important to budget for the possibility that your case may need to proceed through to trial. We encourage clients to seek early legal advice and explore settlement options to reduce costs.