Let Swift Datoo help you with your family’s legal needs.
Starting and ending relationships can be challenging, whether or not you are married or ending a short common law relationship. We are a group of compassionate and experienced family lawyers who can guide you through the legal issues related to the start or end of a spousal relationship. We deal with a wide variety of incomes and assets, and are comfortable advising you on settlement and court options, and the costs associated with your options.
You may only require initial advice, or you may need full representation for mediation or court disputes. Our lawyers can ensure your spouse provides the proper income and asset disclosure to negotiate a fair agreement.
Every family situation is unique. Our office is committed to a safe environment for all clients, and to respecting the particular needs of all families and family structures.
Our lawyers tailor their advice to your personal situation, and the needs of your family.
Here are some of the services we offer:
- Cohabitation, Prenuptial and Marriage Agreements: Preparation and negotiation of cohabitation agreements and “prenuptial” agreements.
- Adoptions: preparation of adoption documents, advice regarding the adoption process, and child and adult adoptions under BC’s Adoption Act.
- Child Support: determining child support obligations based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines and representing clients in disputes over child support payments, including retroactive claims and issues regarding accumulated arrears of child support.
- Court matters: representation and attendance at mediations and arbitrations, at hearings and trials in BC Provincial Court and BC Supreme Court.
- Divorce and separation: We negotiate and prepare separation agreements, and represent you as a client in negotiations, mediations, arbitrations and court.
- Excluded Property Issues: advice and representation for disputes related to excluded property claims (such as pre-relationship assets, inheritances, gifts, and injury settlements).
- “Gray” divorce: Advice regarding later-in-life separations, including pension division where the pension has already commenced.
- Parenting time, Parenting Arrangements and “Custody”: We help clients establish arrangements in the best interests of the child, including primary residence, specified parenting time, access, parenting plans and interim and final agreements and court orders.
- Property Division: negotiation or commencing court actions for division of property, property protection and asset freezing orders.
- Protection Orders/Restraining Orders and Family Violence Matters: Helping clients obtain orders to protect themselves or their children, and providing legal representation in family violence matters.
- Review and Independent Legal Advice: we review and advise regarding cohabitation agreements, prenuptial agreements and separation agreements, and can assist you in negotiating changes to an agreement prepared by your ex’s lawyer.
- Spousal Support (“alimony”) Advising clients on their rights and obligations regarding spousal support, including negotiating agreements and representing clients in court disputes, review and variation claims, and disputes regarding retroactive or arrears claims.
- Views of the Child/Section 211 Reports: Assisting clients to obtain reports reflecting their children’s views of the parenting arrangement and time spent with each parent.
- Child Protection: advising and representing you in relation to the Ministry of Children and Family Development (“MCFD”).
- Family Maintenance: Assisting you to obtain a court order for child or spousal support that Family Maintenance can enforce. Or representing you in negotiations or a court claim to reduce or cancel your arrears of child or spousal support.
Swift Datoo Lawyers
Our lawyers are committed to professionalism and results. These are the lawyers who specialize in family law:
