Archive for category: Coquitlam Lawyers

You are here: Home / Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody Law Blog / Coquitlam Lawyers

Seriousness of child support arrears

/in , /by

On behalf of Laughlin & Company Lawyers Mediators posted in Child Support on Thursday, January 7, 2016.

Statistics show that close to two-thirds of Canadian child support payments are in arrears, amounting to nearly $3.7 billion. In British Columbia, parents owe $538 million in past due child support. While the reasons for these past due payments may vary greatly if more parents exercised their legal options this figure could likely be substantially decreased.

While much of the legal system is geared more toward making sure those who are on the receiving end of the child support payments get their monies, those who are unable to make their payments also have some legal options. The challenge is that it can be very difficult to convince these parents to go into the courts and explain their situations. Many believe that the courts will not care about their circumstances or that they will start enforcement procedures against them by doing so.

Unfortunately, ignoring the issues doesn’t help either. Unpaid child support payments will eventually be acted upon by the child support enforcement agency, and enforcement methods run the gamut from wage garnishment to revoking a driver’s license. To avoid these consequences, it is crucial to talk with a lawyer about your legal options and how best to go about trying to present your case to the courts.

Having experienced legal representation by your side takes some of the stress and anxiety out of the situation and can help ensure you are well informed and prepared going forward. It also ensures that you fully understand the pros and cons of any action and can get all of your questions answered before deciding on an option.

Lawyers Coquitlam

Laughlin & Company Lawyers Mediators
2755 Lougheed Hwy #710, Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 5Y9
(604) 945-4370
www.laughlinlaw.ca/

Property division and the collaborative process

/in , /by

On behalf of Laughlin & Company Lawyers Mediators posted in Division of Property on Wednesday, December 16, 2015.

One of the most challenging but more important aspects of a divorce, or separation in the case of a common-law relationship, is the property division process. During the course of your relationship, you and your ex probably acquired many different kinds of property, from everyday household items to bigger assets like vehicles and real estate, that must be divided equitably. While a standing marriage or cohabitation agreement can make this task more straightforward, there are still many couples who choose not to sign these contracts prior to the relationship.

While many separating couples end up having the Canadian family courts decide who will get what, others are able to come to an agreement between themselves and present it to the court. This is often done via mediation or arbitration and can be one way to retain more control over your divorce proceedings and end up with an agreement that works for both of you.

Even though both of these are collaborative processes, a lawyer can be an invaluable asset during this time. It’s crucial to have a lawyer read over and evaluate any divorce agreement before you submit it to the courts for review. Doing this can make sure you have gotten what the law entitles you to and can help you spot and deal with issues that could cause problems later on.

However, if you and your ex-are not able to come to an agreement outside of the courts, a lawyer can help you prepare for your case to go to trial. It’s important to be aware of the different court procedures and how long a divorce settlement can take.

Real Estate Lawyer Coquitlam

Laughlin & Company Lawyers Mediators
2755 Lougheed Hwy #710, Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 5Y9
(604) 945-4370