Serving New Westminster
Family lawyers serving New Westminster, BC
New Westminster clients meet with us at our Surrey office, a short drive across the Fraser, and the first consultation is free.
The New Westminster Law Courts hear Supreme Court family cases for much of the region south of the river, including divorces and property claims. Many of those cases start with a judicial case conference there, and knowing how that registry runs saves time.
How we help New Westminster clients
- Divorce & SeparationEnding a marriage or common-law relationship, from the first weeks after separating to the final divorce order.
- Parenting & CustodyParenting time, decision-making and guardianship arrangements built around your children after separation.
- Child & Spousal SupportSetting, reviewing, changing and enforcing child support and spousal support.
- Division of Property & DebtDividing the home, pensions, savings, businesses and debt under the Family Law Act.
- Marriage & Cohabitation AgreementsPrenuptial, marriage and cohabitation agreements that settle the big questions before any dispute exists.
- Mediation & Collaborative LawResolving family disputes through mediation, collaborative practice and negotiation rather than a trial.
- ArbitrationA binding decision from a private arbitrator instead of waiting for a court date.
- Relocation & MobilityMoving with a child after separation, or responding when the other parent plans to move.
- Protection OrdersCourt orders under the Family Law Act that protect you or your children from family violence.
- Common-Law SeparationYour rights when an unmarried relationship ends, which in BC are often broader than people expect.
Courts that hear New Westminster matters
- New Westminster Law Courts, 651 Carnarvon Street: Supreme Court and Provincial Court matters.
- Civil Resolution Tribunal (online): small claims up to $5,000 and most strata disputes.
Questions from New Westminster clients
Our only real asset is a condo in New Westminster. How is it divided?
If it was bought during the relationship, it is presumed to be shared equally. One spouse can buy out the other, or it can be sold and the proceeds divided after the mortgage. Excluded property, such as a down payment from before the relationship, can change the split.
How long does it take to get a divorce in BC?
Once you have been separated for a year, an uncontested divorce with the documents in order is usually granted a few months after filing, depending on the registry’s workload. A contested case takes much longer, and the delay nearly always comes from the parenting, support or property issues attached to the divorce rather than from the divorce order itself.
Do we have to be separated for a year before anything can happen?
No. The one-year period applies only to getting a divorce on the basis of separation. Parenting arrangements, support and property division can all be dealt with right away, and it is usually better to address them early.
How is child support calculated in BC?
Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The starting point is a table amount based on the paying parent’s annual income and the number of children. Parents then share certain extra costs, called section 7 expenses, generally in proportion to their incomes. Shared parenting, split parenting and disputed income can all change the result.
Book a consultation
Tell us what has happened. We will tell you where you stand.
The first consultation is free, at our Surrey office on 120 Street.