FAQ

Not quite — separation is one of the legal grounds to file a divorce, not the finish line. You’ll still need to apply for a divorce order to dissolve the legal effect of the marriage. The good news? Once you’ve cleared that year, the rest can move faster than you’d think, with the right guidance. Let us map out exactly where you stand.

Almost. In BC, an uncontested divorce usually means every piece is settled, not just the decision to divorce itself. The gaps you still have aren’t a dealbreaker — they’re often closer to resolved than they feel. Let us assess how close you already are.

Because what looks complete on paper isn’t always complete in the eyes of the law — agreements can be quietly missing pieces that only surface if they’re ever challenged. You may have also agreed to terms that don’t actually serve you as well as they should. A quick review now can spare you a costly surprise later. Bring us what you’ve drafted; we’ll tell you honestly where it stands.

Not automatically in BC — the real answer depends on some genuinely tricky details, like what grew in value while you were together. Just like a surgeon, your family assets need to be carefully examined to decide what should be divided, and how. This is exactly the kind of question worth getting right rather than guessing. Let’s look at your specific situation, together.

No — in Canada, these are treated as two separate questions under the law. If something feels off about your parenting time or your support amount, that’s worth a closer look. Let’s walk through your calculation together.

Understandably, it feels like it should matter — but Canadian law doesn’t require your agreement once the legal grounds are met. What you can control is how the rest of the process unfolds, and that’s where good guidance really counts. Let’s talk about what’s actually in your hands.

Divorce in BC, Canada doesn’t work like a courtroom drama with damages for betrayal — it’s a no-fault system. But if safety is part of your story, or the impact on you has affected your capacity to be self-sufficient, that belongs in the conversation — it can shape both parenting and support arrangements. Please don’t carry this alone — reach out, in confidence.

It depends, largely on how cleanly the paperwork moves through the court registry and how much needs to be negotiated first. Realistically, plan for somewhere between 4 and 6 months from filing to your divorce order in straightforward cases — that’s the typical window when both spouses agree and paperwork moves cleanly through the court registry. Delays usually come from documentation errors, incomplete disclosure, or the registry’s own caseload, any of which can stretch things further. Curious what your specific timeline is likely to look like? Let’s find out.

Often, no in BC, CANADA— many uncontested divorces are reviewed on paper, without either of you setting foot in a courtroom. Whether that applies to you depends on your specific file. Let’s check if you qualify for that simpler path.

Cross-border situations add a layer most people don’t expect, usually tied to residency requirements. It’s very solvable — just not something to guess at. This is exactly the kind of detail worth getting right from step one. Let’s walk through it together.

It depends on your specific situation and how much needs negotiating versus simply documenting. The fewer issues left in conflict, and the more you and your partner cooperate, the less the process tends to cost. The clearest way to know your number is a real conversation, not a guess online. Let’s talk about what your case would actually involve.

Usually the basics — your original marriage certificate, and, if support or property division is involved, some financial information, including three years of Notices of Assessment (NOAs) in BC. Exactly what’s needed depends on your details. We’ll hand you a clear checklist once we know more. Ready to find out what you’ll need?

In most cases, yes, except the rare case where the parties has no issue to resolve and in complete agreement on the divorce — one lawyer generally can’t represent both sides. That doesn’t mean it has to be adversarial, though; it just means each of you has someone looking out for you. Happy to walk you through how that works for an amicable divorce.

Canada’s Divorce Act recognizes three grounds: living separate and apart for one year, adultery, or cruelty. In practice, the vast majority of couples use the one-year separation route, since proving adultery or cruelty in court adds real time, cost, and conflict — the opposite of what most people actually want. If you’re unsure which applies to you, that’s worth a quick conversation.

Fit matters as much as location — you want someone whose approach matches how you want this handled, whether that’s amicable and efficient, or something more involved. We serve clients throughout Vancouver and Toronto, with a process built specifically around calm, cooperative divorces. Let’s see if we’re the right fit for you.

Yes – the Federal Government’s Official Child Support Table Look-Up gives a solid starting estimate based on income. That said, real numbers often involve adjustments — shared parenting time, special expenses, or spousal support ranges that the basic table doesn’t capture. A quick estimate online is a fine starting point; getting the actual number right for your situation is where we come in. Want us to run your real numbers?

Generally, no — if your situation is genuinely that simple, you may not need a formal agreement to move forward. That said, a few things are worth confirming first: your separation date matters for your divorce timeline, and “no assets” sometimes hides small things people forget (a joint account, a shared lease, a pet). If you want a second set of eyes just to be sure nothing’s been missed, we’re happy to take a quick look — free of pressure either way.