How Can I Get a Divorce with a Missing Spouse?
Alternative Service, Substituted Service, and the “Best Efforts” the Court Expects Before Granting the Order George Lee Law | Vancouver | 604-681-1611 You are ready to move on with your life. The marriage is over, you need a divorce, and the family assets need to be divided. There is just one problem: your spouse has […]
SETTING ASIDE A SEPARATION AGREEMENT
“I Signed It Two Years Ago — Can I Still Challenge It?” Understanding Section 93 of the Family Law Act and the Two-Pronged Test for Setting Aside Property Division Agreements You signed a separation agreement. Maybe it was two years ago. Maybe longer. At the time, you may have felt pressured, uninformed, or simply eager […]
SPOUSAL SUPPORT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Do I Have to Pay Spousal Support? Understanding the Three Hurdles: Eligibility, Entitlement, and the Guidelines In British Columbia, “Do I have to pay spousal support?” is one of the most frequently searched—and hotly debated—family law questions. Unlike child support, spousal support is not automatic. Whether you are required to pay depends on clearing three […]
“I Don’t Want Him to See My Kids” — Can You Get Sole Custody in BC?
One of the most common questions I hear from clients after separation is: “Our relationship is over. I don’t want him to see my kids anymore. Can I do that?” In most cases, the answer is no — and here’s why. “Custody” Is an Old Concept If you’re searching for “sole custody” in BC, you’re […]
Bank Account Frozen in 2022? The Courts Say You May Have a Claim
Federal Court of Appeal Rules Emergencies Act Invocation Was Unlawful Case Citation: Attorney General of Canada et al. v. Canadian Civil Liberties Association et al., 2026 FCA 6 (January 16, 2026) Cast your mind back to the winter of 2022. Canada was deep in the grip of pandemic restrictions. Vaccine mandates. Border closures. Lockdowns that […]
Mandamus: Forcing IRCC to Decide on Your Stalled Immigration Application
George Lee Law | Vancouver, BC Is This Your Story? You submitted your spousal sponsorship application over two years ago. Every time you check the status online, it says the same thing: “In progress.” Your partner is overseas. You haven’t seen them in months—maybe years. Every holiday, every birthday, every anniversary passes without them. You […]
Spousal Sponsorship 2026: New Rules Explained
By George Lee, Immigration Lawyer | George Lee Law Updated: January 2026 | Vancouver, BC Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident hoping to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to come to Canada? The spousal sponsorship program remains one of the most popular pathways for family reunification in Canada. However, significant […]
Protecting Your Right to Collect
In my 25 years of legal practice, I have encountered countless cases where debts remain uncollected—not because the money wasn’t owed, but because creditors failed to take proper precautions at the outset. The courtroom is littered with valid claims that cannot succeed. Understanding why debts become unrecoverable is the first step toward protecting yourself before […]
Move In Fast or Pay 12 Months’ Rent
What Landlords Must Know About Personal Use Evictions in BC Many BC landlords know they can end a tenancy to move themselves or a close family member into a rental property. Fewer understand that the law doesn’t end when the tenant moves out. A recent case from my practice illustrates just how costly this misunderstanding […]
Why Every BC Landlord Needs Rental Unit Insurance
Protecting Your Investment When Tenant’s Insurance Falls Through As a landlord, you may assume your tenant’s insurance policy will cover damages caused by floods, leaks, or fires in your rental property. Unfortunately, this assumption has cost many BC landlords thousands of dollars in unrecovered losses. The Tenant Insurance Gap Most standard residential tenancy agreements in […]