There are free services available to help families in many aspects of family law. These services help to compliment those that a Lawyer or Mediator can provide. The following are what we, at Butterfield Law, believe are the most useful free services for families: 1.LEGAL AID: Can’t afford a lawyer…
BC courts require that you complete a sworn Financial Statement. Family Lawyer and Mediator, Michael Butterfield says, “These statements are important tools, and are often what the court will depend on to make decisions regarding property division, as well as child and spousal support. If you are attending mediation or…
A Victoria father has been awarded costs, after a Judge found the behaviour of his ex-wife “reprehensible” in a child custody dispute. The mother, L.A.L. repeatedly made sexual abuse accusations that the father, P.A.L. She claimed he started sexually abusing there their daughter when she was 2 year old. Over the…
“Parental alienation is the term used to describe the overall problem of children being encouraged by one parent — the favoured parent — to unjustly reject the other parent – the targeted parent” (Amy J.L. Baker, Ph.D.). This pattern of behaviour is different from normal adjustment to divorce, and…
Negotiation occurs when two parties communicate to resolve a problem. It is based on the principal of “give and take”, and an assumption that both parties have equal decision making capabilities. People negotiate things every day. When you barter the price for something you wish to buy, you are negotiating….
Chances are that, if your only experience with lawyers is watching Law and Order or Ally McBeal, the cost of legal fees may come as a shock. Most people do not give much thought to the cost of hiring a lawyer, until they need one. It is good to remember…