After separation, one spouse often moves out of the family residence and incurs rent. The remaining spouse may pay the mortgage, property taxes and maintenance costs. A typical question I am asked is concerning whether the spouse who remains in the family residence has to contribute to the rental costs of the spouse who moved out of the family residence. In McManus v. McManus 2019 BCSC 123, Mrs.…

Property division in later life can be complicated. A frequent question I’m asked concerns whether a home that was owned before a relationship started has to be divided equally. In McManus v. McManus 2019 BCSC 123, Mrs. McManus moved into her spouse’s home which he had purchased 12 years previously. 5 years later, a year after the mortgage had been paid off, Mr. McManus transferred ownership into…

As a divorce and family lawyer I help clients concerning spousal support. The Honourable Mr. Justice Wilson in Legge v. Legge 2020 BCSC 1221 in consideration of a retrospective application for spousal support 10 years after the end of an 8 ½ year relationship commented, “[74] I am satisfied that the respondent has established an entitlement to spousal support, both compensatory and…

As a divorce and family lawyer I work in the area of spousal support review, typically one party thought spousal support would end after a fixed term. This is not always the case. The Honourable Mr. Justice Mayer in Adsett v. Adsett 2020 BCSC 1189 in consideration of a separation agreement which provided for review of spousal support at the earlier of 6 months after return to work or 2 years after…