Parenting Time & Responsibilities
Parenting plans, guardianship, relocation and the best interests of your children.
Parenting Time & ResponsibilitiesFamily Law Services in Surrey & White Rock, BC
We represent clients in every aspect of family law, in and out of the courtroom. Filter below to find the help you need, or book a free consultation and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Find your family law issue
Child Support
Whether you pay or receive support: setting, varying and enforcing fair amounts.
Child SupportSpousal Support
Honest advice on entitlement, amount and duration, as well as changing existing orders.
Spousal SupportProperty & Debt Division
The family home, pensions, businesses, debts, and excluded property claims.
Property & Debt DivisionSeparation Agreements
Resolve everything by agreement and avoid the financially draining court process.
Separation AgreementsCohabitation & Prenuptial Agreements
Protect assets and set expectations before or during your relationship.
Cohabitation & Prenuptial AgreementsDivorce
From simple desk order divorces to contested trials, we handle it all.
DivorceProtection & Conduct Orders
Urgent protection from family violence, and financial protection orders.
Protection & Conduct OrdersEverything We Handle
A full map of our family law capability, organized so you can see where your matter fits and what we would prepare for you.
| Category | Services | Typical Documents Prepared |
|---|---|---|
| Children & Parenting | Parenting time, parental responsibilities, guardianship, relocation, Views of the Child reports, s.211 reports, parenting coordination | Parenting plans, consent orders, affidavits, s.211 referrals |
| Support | Child support (set, vary, arrears reduction), spousal support (entitlement, variation, reviews), retroactive support | Support calculations, financial statements (Form F8), consent orders |
| Property & Debt | Division of family property and debt, excluded property claims, interim distribution, asset protection, high-net-worth matters | Property schedules, disclosure demands, certificates of pending litigation |
| Agreements | Separation agreements, cohabitation agreements, prenuptial (marriage) agreements, collaborative family law | Agreements with independent legal advice certificates |
| Court Proceedings | Trial litigation at all BC court levels, desk order & simple divorce, protection orders, financial protection orders, family violence matters, ex parte responses | Notices of family claim, applications, trial briefs, desk order divorce packages |
| Access & Affordability | Unbundled services, limited retainers, Legal Aid BC representation | Scoped retainer agreements, coaching packages |
Start With Our Free Guides
Fifty-plus plain-language guides written by our lawyers. If you are separating, start with Divorce in BC: The Complete Guide. Otherwise, these are the ones clients ask about first, or browse the full blog.
Divorce & Separation
Child & Spousal Support
Children & Parenting
Property & Money
Protection & Safety
Common questions
Family Law FAQs
How much does a divorce cost in BC?
It depends on how much you and your spouse can agree on. An uncontested desk order divorce can cost a few thousand dollars including court filing fees. A contested matter that goes to trial can cost far more. That is why we encourage separation agreements and mediation first. They usually resolve matters at a fraction of the cost of litigation. We offer a free consultation and will give you a realistic estimate for your situation.
How is property divided under the Family Law Act?
In BC, both married spouses and common-law partners (living together two or more years) generally split family property and family debt equally. Family property is what either of you acquired during the relationship. Property you brought into the relationship, gifts and inheritances are usually 'excluded property', but the growth in their value during the relationship is divided. There are important exceptions, so get advice before agreeing to anything.
Do I have to go to court to get divorced?
Not necessarily. If you and your spouse agree on all issues, we can file a desk order divorce: a judge reviews the paperwork and grants the divorce without anyone attending court. Most of our clients resolve parenting, support and property issues through agreements or mediation, and only use court when it is truly needed.
What is a Section 211 report?
A Section 211 report is an assessment ordered under s.211 of the Family Law Act. A trained professional (often a psychologist or family justice counsellor) assesses the needs of a child, the views of a child, and each parent's ability to meet those needs. Courts rely on these reports in parenting disputes. We regularly help clients obtain s.211 reports and Views of the Child reports.
Can I get help if I can't afford full legal fees?
Yes. We accept qualifying clients through Legal Aid BC, and we offer unbundled services and limited retainers, meaning you can hire us for just one part of your case, like drafting documents or one court appearance, and handle the rest yourself with our coaching. This keeps costs manageable.
What should I do first if I've just separated?
Protect yourself and your children first, then get informed. Gather financial documents (tax returns, pay stubs, bank and property records), avoid signing anything before getting advice, and book a free consultation. Early advice prevents expensive mistakes, like moving out of the family home or agreeing to informal support amounts that set a precedent.
Free consultation
Talk to someone who does this every day
The first 30 minutes are free, whether by Zoom, telephone, or in our Surrey office. No obligation, and nothing you say leaves the room.
A consultation provides legal information about your options; a lawyer-client relationship begins only when a retainer is confirmed.