April 30, 2019

B.C.'s New Family Law Act

BC Family Law Act

The new Family Law Act came into force in British Columbia on March 18, 2013, replacing the old Family Relations Act.

The new B.C. Family Law Act will result in a number of changes to the law, including an emphasis on resolving family disputes by agreement without going to court via processes such as mediation and collaborative law and an attempt to promote a wider understanding of domestic violence and problems resulting from it. An attempt is made to reduce tensions by introducing less emotive language in cases regarding children as "custody" and "access" are changed to "guardianship" and "parenting time" and "contact". The B.C. Family Law Act creates new clearly defined property rights for unmarried couples as it stipulates that when a couple lives together for more than two years they will have the same property rights on separation as married couples.

THE BRIEF

Read more from Kitsilano Family Law’s blog — The Brief.

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A BC Point of View: Sophie Turner's request for children to return to England
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It has come to media attention that Sophie Turner has filed a court action for the return of hers and Joe Jonas’ two young children to England. In the same court action, Sophie has asked the court to declare that their children have “habitual residence” in England. So, what happens now?

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