Trending Family Law Issues

The Keeping Children Safe Act: What Bill C-223 Would Do

Bill C-223 would change how Canada's Divorce Act handles family violence, parenting time and relocation. What separating BC families should know.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Coercive Control Is Becoming a Crime: What It Means in BC

Canada has passed Bill C-16, adding a coercive control offence to the Criminal Code. What the new law could mean for parenting and protection orders in BC.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Not a Guardian? How Contact With a Child Works in BC

How BC courts decide contact with a child for grandparents, step-parents and other non-guardians under the Family Law Act, and the options before court.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Dividing Family Property in BC: Choosing the Right Process

How you resolve a BC family property dispute matters as much as the law. Compare negotiation, mediation, arbitration, collaborative practice and court.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Family Violence in BC: Protection Orders

How BC's Family Law Act defines family violence, how protection orders work, how courts weigh safety in parenting decisions, and when civil claims arise.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Final-Offer Family Arbitration: Kohut v. Yagelniski

A BC court dismissed every ground of appeal from a final-offer family arbitration award. What Kohut v. Yagelniski, 2026 BCSC 714, teaches about finality.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

When Lawyer Letters Escalate Your Family Case

Aggressive letters between family lawyers can inflate conflict and cost. How measured correspondence and mediation keep BC separations on track.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Reconciliation, Second Separations and Back Child Support

Reconciled with your spouse, then separated again? Learn how BC courts treat child support during reconciliation and claims for retroactive support after.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Challenging a Parenting Coordinator: Sandhu v. Mangat

A BC Supreme Court decision, Sandhu v. Mangat, upheld a parenting coordinator's ruling on section 7 expenses. What it means for separated parents in BC.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Schrader v. Schrader: When a Separation Agreement Fails

A BC Court of Appeal decision, Schrader v. Schrader, 2025 BCCA 50, shows how a signed separation agreement can be set aside when a home's value is wrong.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Spousal Support Outside the SSAG: Bekar v. Mordo

Why a BC Supreme Court judge found the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines a poor fit in a short, unconventional relationship: Bekar v. Mordo explained.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Tracing an Inheritance Mixed With Family Property in BC

How BC courts trace excluded property once an inheritance is mixed with family assets, and what Mills v. O'Connor, 2025 BCCA 34 means for spouses.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Who Keeps the Engagement Ring in BC?

Who keeps the ring when a relationship ends? Engagement rings are usually conditional gifts, but marriage changes the rules. What BC couples should know.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Family Mediation Benefits in Surrey, BC

How family mediation helps Surrey BC families: lower cost, privacy, control over outcomes, and how BC's Family Law Act makes mediated agreements binding.

May 6, 2026 · 6 min read

Divorce Legal Help in Vancouver: Costs & Options

Facing divorce in Vancouver or Surrey? What legal help costs in BC: free consultation, flat-fee desk-order divorce at $2,200 + tax, and Legal Aid options.

May 6, 2026 · 4 min read

Coercive Control Is Now a Tort: Ahluwalia in BC

The SCC's Ahluwalia decision recognizes a new tort of intimate partner violence. What its three elements mean for BC family law claims and evidence.

May 2026 · 5 min read

Abuse Against Men in British Columbia Relationships

What counts as family violence under BC's Family Law Act, how protection orders work, and Surrey support services for men experiencing abuse.

2026-02-06 · 5 min read

Leave to Appeal in BC: When Do You Need It?

Not every BC judgment can be appealed as of right. Learn when you need leave to appeal, the Form 4 process, and what happens if leave is denied.

Feb 5, 2026 · 5 min read

Collaborative Family Law in Surrey, BC

How collaborative family law works in Surrey, BC: both spouses commit to settling out of court with trained lawyers, full disclosure and joint meetings.

Feb 5, 2026 · 4 min read

Common Law & Marriage

Leaving an Abusive Relationship: What to Pack

A practical checklist of what to take when leaving an abusive relationship in BC: ID, financial records, medication, kids' items and tech safety steps.

Feb 5, 2026 · 3 min read

Grounds for Divorce in BC: The 3 Legal Grounds

BC recognizes three grounds for divorce under the Divorce Act: one year of separation, adultery, and cruelty. Learn how each works and the steps to file.

Nov 22, 2025 · 6 min read

Family Lawyer vs Mediator in BC: How to Choose

Family lawyer or mediator? Learn what each does in BC family disputes, when to choose which, and how the two roles work together in Surrey, BC.

Nov 4, 2025 · 4 min read

Getting a Free Consultation with a Family Lawyer

What happens in a free family law consultation in BC: how long it takes, what to bring, and how to book a free 30-minute session with a Surrey lawyer.

Oct 7, 2025 · 4 min read

Desk Order Divorce in BC: Step-by-Step DIY Guide

Step-by-step guide to filing an uncontested desk order divorce in BC without a lawyer: eligibility, Supreme Court forms F3 to F52, timelines and fees.

Sep 23, 2025 · 4 min read

Family Protection Orders in BC: How to Apply

Learn how family protection orders work in BC: what counts as family violence under the Family Law Act, what a judge can order, and how to apply urgently.

Sep 16, 2025 · 5 min read

Who Pays Legal Costs in BC Family Law Cases?

Who pays legal costs in BC family law? How costs work in Supreme Court vs Provincial Court, the substantially successful test, and what awards cover.

Sep 16, 2025 · 4 min read

Services Offered by SiLaw Group Family Lawyers and Mediators

Family mediation services enable families to resolve disputes outside of court. A neutral third party, the mediator, facilitates communication and…

Sep 15, 2025 · 3 min read

Spousal Support Reviews in BC: How They Work

How spousal support reviews work in BC: no material change needed, hearings de novo, SSAG ranges, and when to use a review instead of a variation.

Jun 16, 2025 · 4 min read

Unhappy With a Family Law Judgment? Reconsideration in BC

Lost a family law hearing in BC? When courts will reconsider a judgment before it is entered, the slip rule that applies after, and when to appeal instead.

May 5, 2025 · 3 min read

Parenting Time Denied? Enforcement in BC

What to do when parenting time is denied in BC: documentation, mediation and court remedies under the Family Law Act, explained by Surrey family lawyers.

Apr 9, 2025 · 7 min read

Common Law & Marriage

How Long Is Common Law in BC? 2-Year Rule & Rights (2026)

Not sure if you are common law in BC? How the 2-year rule works, the property and support rights it brings, and the 2-year deadline after separation.

Nov 20, 2024 · 10 min read

Financial Disclosure in BC Family Law: What You Must Share

Financial disclosure is mandatory in BC family cases. The documents spouses must exchange, the Form F8 deadline, and what happens when assets are hidden.

Nov 20, 2024 · 3 min read

Mediation with a Narcissist: Can It Work?

Divorcing a narcissist? How BC family law mediation handles high-conflict personalities, when it can work, and when court is the safer route.

Nov 5, 2024 · 5 min read

12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Family Lawyer in BC

Hiring a family lawyer in Surrey or anywhere in BC? Twelve questions on fees, strategy and communication that show who to trust before you sign anything.

Oct 8, 2024 · 4 min read

Child Support

Child Support After 19 in BC: When It Continues (2026)

Does child support end at 19 in BC? When support continues for students and for illness or disability, and what 2024 BCSC 139 means for paying parents.

Sep 5, 2024 · 4 min read

Protection Orders When Court Orders Are Ignored

When a parent ignores parenting orders, BC courts can treat it as family violence. What S.A.M. v. M.R.Y., 2023 BCPC 185 means for protection orders.

Aug 5, 2024 · 3 min read

Pet Custody in BC: New Family Law Act Rules

Who keeps the pet after separation in BC? How the Family Law Act's companion animal rules and the Stella the golden retriever case decide pet custody.

Apr 30, 2024 · 4 min read

Served With an Ex Parte Order in BC? How to Set It Aside

An ex parte or without notice order is not final. The tests BC courts apply to set one aside, the disclosure duty that can help you, and the first steps.

Jan 26, 2024 · 3 min read

BC Family Law Act Changes: Property and Pets

BC's Family Law Act changes: what the 2023 property and presumption amendments do, and the companion animal rules in force since January 15, 2024.

Jun 12, 2023 · 3 min read

Unbundled Family Law Services in Surrey, BC

Can't afford full representation? SiLaw Group in Surrey, BC offers unbundled family law services: document drafting, hearing prep and limited-scope help.

Apr 5, 2023 · 2 min read

Maher (Mahr) in a BC Divorce: When Courts Enforce It

Divorcing in BC with an Islamic marriage contract? When BC courts enforce a Maher (mahr), the signing and witnessing rules, and what Nathoo v. Nathoo held.

Apr 5, 2023 · 6 min read

Tax Issues in Separation & Divorce in BC

How separation and divorce affect your taxes in BC: spousal support deductions, child support rules, RRSP transfers and the CRA forms you need to file.

Mar 30, 2023 · 1 min read

Benefits of a Separation Agreement in BC

Learn how a separation agreement protects both parties in BC with certainty, privacy and lower cost, plus the steps to make yours legally binding.

Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read

Child Support

How to Reduce Child Support Arrears in BC

Behind on child support in BC? Learn when a court can reduce or cancel arrears under s. 174 of the Family Law Act and the four D.B.S. factors that apply.

Mar 11, 2023 · 3 min read

Divorcing a Narcissist in BC: A Lawyer's Guide

Divorcing a narcissist? Lessons from Bill Eddy's book Splitting for BC family law clients: the CARS method, protecting children and pacing yourself.

Mar 10, 2023 · 2 min read

How to Terminate or Vary Spousal Support in BC

Learn when BC courts will vary or end spousal support: the material change test from Powell v Levesque, plus how to apply. Free 30-minute consultation.

Mar 10, 2023 · 3 min read

Divorce Lawyer in Surrey: What to Look For

Choosing a divorce lawyer in Surrey, BC? Six things to check first: experience, fees, communication and the Law Society of BC discipline record.

Mar 10, 2023 · 3 min read

How Do I Get Spousal Support From My Ex in BC?

How to get spousal support in BC: separation agreement, mediation or a court order under the Divorce Act or Family Law Act, and the factors courts weigh.

Feb 28, 2023 · 4 min read

Your First Judicial Case Conference (JCC): BC Guide

Your first JCC in BC Supreme Court, explained: the Form F8 deadline, what a judge can order at the conference, and how to prepare so your case advances.

Jan 22, 2023 · 5 min read

Moving with Your Child from BC: Relocation Rules

Planning to move from BC with your child? Learn the Family Law Act's 60-day notice rule, objection deadlines and what courts consider. Free consult.

Jan 21, 2023 · 5 min read

Unequal Division of Family Property in BC (s.95)

When will a BC court order more than a 50/50 split of family property? Learn the s.95 significant unfairness test, excluded property rules and next steps.

Dec 27, 2022 · 4 min read

7 Mistakes to Avoid After Separation in BC

Recently separated in BC without a lawyer? Avoid 7 costly mistakes, from missed disclosure to the two-year limit on property claims after separation.

Dec 27, 2022 · 3 min read

Child Support in British Columbia

How child support works in BC: who pays, how Guidelines amounts are set, special expenses, support past age 19, and enforcement through the BCFMA.

May 18, 2022 · 3 min read

Shared Parenting Arrangements in BC

Shared parenting in BC means each parent has at least 40% of parenting time. Learn how decision-making, schedules and child support work under BC law.

May 18, 2022 · 4 min read

Breaking a Lease Due to Family Violence in BC

BC tenants can end a fixed-term lease to escape household violence. Learn who qualifies, the notice you must give, and the third-party confirmation step.

Jul 17, 2020 · 3 min read

Urgent Family Court Hearings in BC Explained

BC courts hear urgent family matters: child safety, protection orders, wrongful removal. How judges decide urgency, and how the COVID-19 suspension ended.

Apr 17, 2020 · 4 min read

Parenting Time Withheld Over COVID-19: BC Case

A 2020 BC Provincial Court decision on a parent withholding parenting time over COVID-19 concerns, and what BC's Family Law Act says about wrongful denial.

Apr 3, 2020 · 3 min read

Parenting Arrangements During COVID-19 (2020 BC Archive)

Archived March 2020 guidance on parenting time during the COVID-19 pandemic in BC. Kept for reference; court operations have since returned to normal.

Mar 27, 2020 · 4 min read

Co-Parenting During Emergencies in BC: 7 Rules

Seven practical rules for separated BC parents on parenting time during emergencies: court orders, makeup time, health protocols and support obligations.

Mar 23, 2020 · 4 min read