We know that separating from a loved one is challenging, so our team in Vancouver offers a less confrontational approach. A contested divorce happens when a couple is not able to solve the issues of property division, debt division, spousal support, child support, and child custody. If you cannot solve these issues, then they have to be resolved through court. An uncontested divorce takes place when you and your spouse can resolve all your issues outside of court. Though for an uncontested divorce you have to appear before a judge, you can avoid that through the process of a Desk Order Divorce. However, there are grounds required for divorce, like the couple must be separated for at least one year, spouses must be primary residents of British Columbia for at least one year before filing for divorce, etc.

Child support is a fundamental legal right and the financial support for children that must be paid under a support order or an agreement. This ensures a secure, stable financial future for children following separation or divorce. This is a complex area of law due to the variety of expenses associated with raising children, but our team can help you understand it easily so that you can provide the best for your child. Parents are required to work and earn enough to provide for their children. If a parent chooses not to work or fails to pay support, they may face severe consequences.

Spousal support is money paid by one spouse to support the other after separation. It helps each spouse become self-sufficient and reduces financial hardship. Factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, and their roles during the marriage determine the amount and duration of spousal support. Similar to child support, spousal support also demands thorough consideration. Establishing or revising these alimony agreements can be difficult, but our team understands that they are critical for preserving the financial well-being of both parties after divorce.

Under the BC Family Law Act, your assets and properties are equally distributed between you and your spouse after divorce. However, the Family Law Act also provides for excluded property, which refers to the property that each spouse owned prior to the relationship. While the BC Family Law Act typically provides for equal division of family property and debt, a spouse may be entitled to more or less than 50% of the family property. This equal and unequal division is based on marriage's length, agreements made between the spouses, career contributions made by a spouse, etc. Our team understands that dividing business interests necessitates a detailed review to accurately assess and equitably split the worth of business assets and interests.

Adopting a new life into your family or becoming a guardian for someone is a profound and rewarding experience. Our services assist prospective parents in navigating the obstacles of family formation, guaranteeing a smooth transition. They also help establish legal guardianship arrangements for minors or incapable people, safeguarding their well-being and protection. Not just that, they also ensure that all legal consents and papers are correctly and swiftly completed, which is critical for the smooth operation of both the adoption and guardianship processes.

Domestic violence is a grave issue that demands immediate action. Protection orders are crucial in helping victims secure restraining and protection orders. Our team not only provides legal representation to advocate for your rights and safety in court but also offers emotional and psychological support to help you through these challenging times.

Paternity testing and disputes play an essential role in establishing or challenging paternity via legal processes and DNA testing. This frequently includes proving biological links, which can have serious consequences for parental rights and duties. These responsibilities include essential issues like child support, custody arrangements, and visitation rights. Our legal professionals work hard to ensure that parents' rights are honored while prioritizing the child's welfare. The resolution of paternity issues and the right assignment of parental obligations are critical to ensuring fair and just family dynamics.

Drafting agreements includes creating pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements that explicitly define the terms of property division and spousal maintenance in the event of a divorce. These agreements are critical in providing financial security and clarity to both parties. Our process includes a thorough analysis and negotiation of the conditions to ensure that the agreements are not only fair and equitable, but also legally enforceable. Our top family lawyers in Vancouver, BC, protect both parties' interests and allow future disagreements to be settled swiftly and fairly.