Negotiation is something we do everyday with our spouses, colleagues, children, and even strangers. Most people are pretty good negotiators because they know what they want and what they are willing to give up to get it. The corner stone of negotiation is compromise. So why do spouses have such…
The child and spousal support system is in crisis. With two thirds of all support orders being ignored, deadbeat parents in BC owe over half a billion dollars in back support. Spousal support orders are supposed to be enforced by the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP). But FMEP director Chris…
When a relationship ends one issue that frequently needs to be addressed is how gifts and inheritances are dealt with. Section 85(1) of the Family Law Act makes the situation a lot simpler. This provision for gifts and inheritances (aside from capital gains) to be excluded from the family property which…
On May 28, 2014, Bill C-560, referred to as the “equal parenting bill”, was defeated at Parliament (174:80). The Bill proposed to amend the Divorce Act in a way that would create a presumption for the courts to grant equal parenting time and responsibilities to each parent, with the opportunity…
Court Procedure made simple After you have received your notice for a first appearance in Provincial Family Court, the next step in a court process is to have a case conference with a judge. This is normally arranged at your first appearance in court. A Family Case Conference (FCC) is…