Family Law & Divorce
Located in Abbotsford, BC and serving the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland
Where We Can Help You
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Separation & Divorce
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Parenting Matters
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Spousal Support
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Property Division in Family and Divorce Law
Separation & Divorce
The breakdown of a relationship can be stressful and overwhelming. Many people don’t know where to start. Information is key to decision-making. At Gray Lawyers, we can walk you through the legal and practical options, giving you the knowledge and guidance you need to make critical decisions about your future.
Having a family lawyer on your side provides peace of mind and reduces the stress involved. Our primary office in Abbotsford, which services the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, will help you navigate through the often complex legal process. We pride ourselves on clear and concise communication, giving you legal guidance you need.
Separation Agreements
A separation agreement can be an excellent way to resolve parenting matters, property division, spousal support and the many other issues that arise when a couple separates. This agreement can form the foundation for building the next chapter of your life, giving finality in the division of your property and setting clear expectations and boundaries with respect to parenting. A family lawyer can help ensure that your separation agreement is comprehensive, clear and durable.
If you have concerns regarding a separation agreement from the past, a family lawyer can assist you with any changes that may be necessary, and provide an assessment as to whether the agreement is valid and binding.
Divorce Order
For some, a divorce order can be processed on an uncontested basis with minimal paperwork involved. This is most common when parties have already entered an agreement or order resolving property division, parenting arrangements and child or spousal support. At Gray Lawyers, we can help you resolve these issues and obtain your divorce order.
Parenting Matters
At Gray Lawyers, we take pride in our child-first approach to parenting matters. We will listen with compassion to understand your family’s needs and use our skills to explore a resolution by agreement. When agreements are not possible, we will put our two decades of legal experience to work in the courtroom for you. Our team has appeared in the Provincial Court, where parenting and support matters can be dealt with, as well as the Supreme Court where all issues, including property division and divorce orders, can be addressed. Reach out to our team for a half-hour consultation at no cost.
Decision-making
Ideally, parents are able to share decision-making in consultation with one another. When that is difficult, unsafe or simply not possible, these matters can be resolved by way of written agreements or court orders setting out who may make important decisions about the children.
Parenting time
Parenting schedules can be shaped to meet the unique needs of your family. They can grow and change along with the age and stage of your children. In some cases, parenting time is “shared”, meaning that the children reside with each parent equally or close to equally. In other cases, the children live primarily with one parent and the other parent has scheduled time with the children. Some families require strict parenting schedules, where others require more flexibility. Regardless of the parenting schedule in place, it is best to have it documented in a written agreement or court order. Parenting time arrangements may affect other matters, such as child support, spousal support or Child Tax Benefits.
Child Support and Expenses
Child support is not optional in British Columbia. Each parent has a duty to seek or pay child support in keeping with the Child Support Guidelines. The number of children, parenting schedule and the income of the parents are all considered when calculating child support. In addition to child support, parents are obliged to contribute to certain expenses, such as childcare, medical expenses, school fees and some extra-curricular activities. The court has broad powers to order and enforce child support and payment of expenses. With a properly drafted written agreement or court order, the BC Family Maintenance Agency can also assist with collecting overdue child support or expenses.
If you or your family members are experiencing family violence, you may require urgent court orders to protect your family’s health and well-being.
Our team understands the need for taking swift and decisive action when your safety is at risk.
Spousal Support
Spousal support can be critical to restructuring financial matters after separation. We can help you navigate issues of eligibility for support, the amount of support and the duration of support you may be entitled to or obliged to pay to your spouse. Spousal support can be negotiated between the parties, or a court may make an order that spousal support is payable. Some parties choose to consider a lump sum payment of support, whereas others may opt for monthly spousal support. A written agreement or court order setting out spousal support obligations will ensure you can enforce payments, address tax consequences and plan for your future with confidence.
We will assist you in navigating your situation on an individual basis, addressing your specific circumstances. Whether it is your obligation to pay support or if you are entitled to receive spousal support, we are here to guide you through this process and ensure that you have the best representation in what can be a complex issue.
Property Division in Family and Divorce Law
Property division ranges from fairly simple, to very complex. At Gray Lawyers, we are prepared for even the most challenging property division, such as real estate, businesses, personal property, pensions, investments and savings. Ensuring you have hired an experienced family and divorce lawyer is critical. We will assist you with gathering complete financial information which is necessary to ensure that family property and debt is divided accurately. If parties are able to reach an agreement regarding property and debt, they can sculpt the terms to meet individual needs and priorities, such as retaining the family home or including lump-sum spousal support when dividing sale proceeds so you can invest in your future. If an agreement cannot be reached, parties can ask the court for orders to sell or divide property, to address who can remain in a family residence or who is responsible for paying family debts and expenses.
We will help you understand property that is divisible and how you can seek to claim items as excluded property. This distinction can be properly interpreted and explained by our divorce and family lawyer during your meeting.