Joint tenancy is often presented as an elegant solution: add someone to the title, avoid probate, and spare your family a lengthy estate administration. In practice, however, the strategy rarely delivers on that promise without careful legal planning. Joint tenancy does have a legitimate role in estate planning when properly structured. The difficulty is that [...]
In British Columbia, it’s not unusual for parents to ask whether a parenting order can be changed after it’s been made. Circumstances change, children get older, schedules shift, and life moves on. The short answer is yes. Parenting orders can be changed, but only in certain situations and through the proper legal process. What Is [...]
In British Columbia, it is very common for people going through a separation to have concerns about whether their spouse is being fully open about their finances. In some cases, there is a real worry that assets may not have been disclosed. These situations can be stressful and confusing. It is important to understand that [...]
When couples separate, much of the conversation understandably focuses on dividing assets such as homes, savings, and investments. However, debts must also be addressed. In fact, many people are surprised to learn that debts accumulated during a relationship may be divided just like property. In British Columbia, the Family Law Act sets out how both [...]
After an accident, many people focus on recovery and dealing with insurance issues. However, one of the most important legal questions is often overlooked: how long do you have to start a lawsuit? Strict deadlines apply to personal injury claims. If you miss the applicable injury claim time limit in BC, you may lose the [...]
Understanding Your Rights as a Disinherited Spouse or Child Finding out you've been left out of a loved one's will is a shock that hits hard. I see it regularly in my practice as a probate lawyer in BC: the hurt and confusion that comes when a spouse, child, or other family member opens an [...]
Family law in British Columbia is about to change in some significant ways. The provincial government has put forward amendments to the Family Law Act that could reshape how parenting disputes are resolved, how courts weigh issues of family violence, and how families are encouraged to settle disagreements before ending up in court. As someone [...]
How End-of-Life Wishes Are Handled and Who Has the Final Say As a lawyer practising in British Columbia, I often speak with individuals who are planning their estates and want to ensure their funeral and burial wishes are respected. A common question I hear is: “If I put my funeral instructions or burial preferences in [...]
Long after the bruises fade or the casts come off, many people continue to carry the emotional weight of a traumatic accident or assault. Whether it’s the fear that creeps in every time you get behind the wheel, the nightmares that disturb your sleep, or the persistent anxiety that makes it hard to return to [...]
As a family lawyer in British Columbia, one of the most difficult but vital aspects of my work is helping individuals and families affected by family violence. It’s a reality that many people face, and it’s important to know that the law in BC provides clear, supportive pathways to protect both adults and children through [...]
