Throughout life, the relationships between our family and friends often change depending on where we are sitting in life’s timeline. Age, where we live, family dynamics, lifestyle and so much more determines the strength or weaknesses of all of our relationships. As we age, our children move out of the home, our social status changes… Read more »
Personal Law Articles
Reflections On The Journey Through 2020 – COVID-19
One year ago, my friends and I were deciding on which party to attend to celebrate the arrival of 2020. I imagined the year to come as my own perfect blank slate to fill in with new experiences and happy habitual encounters with friends and family. I took it for granted that 2020 would be… Read more »
The Consequence of Pushing An Employee out the Door
When running a business and managing employees, an employment contract is incredibly important. Implicit in these contracts are the duties to provide reasonable notice on dismissal and the duty of good faith. An employer may face significant liability if they are found to be in breach of these duties. The article below describes a case… Read more »
A New Arbitration Act for British Columbia
On September 1, 2020, a new Arbitration Act came into force in British Columbia. This new statue more closely aligns B.C.’s domestic arbitration legislation with the International Commercial Arbitration Act and the standards outlined in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration. It contains new provisions on… Read more »
Where there’s a Will, there’s a way: The invaluable power of a Will
While no one wants to consider their own mortality, having a Will prepared is one of the most important things you can do for your family. With a Will, you decide who will receive your property and assets, and your loved ones won’t be left guessing or arguing over your intentions. Essentially, a Will gives… Read more »
Who Altered the Will, Can You White Out Part of a Will?
At first glance, a Will may appear to be clearly drafted and easy to interpret. However, small, seemingly insignificant changes to a Will can lead to dramatically different results for the beneficiaries. Beverley May Levesque passed away on August 17, 2018 leaving behind a Will originally created on May 21, 2009. Upon her passing, her… Read more »
Domestic or Sexual Violence Leaves of Absence
Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in the B.C. Legislature that would, if passed, amend the provisions of the Employment Standards Act relating to domestic or sexual violence leaves of absence. Other changes to that statute relating to COVID-19 have since taken precedence and have been passed, but the proposed amendments regarding domestic or… Read more »
A Will Is Only As Good As Its Ruling
In a recent decision of the Australian court, Re Nichol, an unsent text message was accepted as a valid will of a deceased person. The draft text message detailed the man’s intentions to leave his property to his brother and nephew, rather than his wife and children. The message ended with the words “my will”,… Read more »
Listen to Your Elders
For most us, our parents are the standards of adulthood, strength, and wisdom. Late in life mental disabilities, such as dementia, catch many otherwise attentive adult children of older parents off guard, and the legal ramifications are often the true blindside. It is important for your parents to meet with a lawyer to seek advice… Read more »
What is (Not) Harassment at Work?
The word “harass” is used in many different contexts in our society. It can be used in sports (“The defence effectively harassed the puck carrier as he entered the zone”), playfully among friends (“Why are you always harassing me about what I wear?”) or in extremely serious situations (“The military has adopted a zero tolerance… Read more »