In British Columbia, a will-maker (testator) has the crucial responsibility of appointing one or more executors in their will under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA). The executor plays a vital role, being responsible for administering the deceased’s estate according to the instructions in the will and the law. To qualify, an executor must […]
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Dividing Property After a Common-Law Relationship Ends in British Columbia When a common-law relationship in British Columbia comes to an end, the division of property is primarily governed by the Family Law Act. Under this legislation, unmarried couples who have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least two years are legally considered “spouses”
Common-Law Relationships and Property Division in B.C. Read More »
Severing Joint Tenancy in British Columbia: Methods and Estate Implications In British Columbia, joint tenancy is a common form of property co-ownership where two or more individuals hold equal, undivided interests in real property. The defining characteristic of joint tenancy is the right of survivorship, meaning that upon the death of one joint tenant, their
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Can an Employee in BC Be Fired for Refusing to Work Overtime? What Are Their Rights? In British Columbia, the Employment Standards Act (ESA) sets the minimum standards for employment, governing aspects like hours, overtime, and termination, and both employers and employees must adhere to these regulations. The ESA defines standard hours as 8 hours
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What Happens if a Buyer Backs Out After Removing Conditions in a BC Real Estate Transaction? In British Columbia, a residential real estate purchase agreement becomes firm and legally binding once a buyer has removed all conditions, often referred to as “subjects.” If a buyer attempts to withdraw from the contract after this point, it’s
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Can a Spouse Be Held Responsible for the Other Partner’s Personal Debt After Separation in BC? The division of debt following a separation in British Columbia is governed by the Family Law Act, which sets out clear rules for how debts are classified and divided between spouses. Understanding these rules is essential for advising clients
Liability For Partner’s Debt After Separation in B.C. Read More »
Do Common-Law Couples Have the Same Property Rights as Married Couples in BC? In British Columbia, many couples choose to live together in committed, marriage-like relationships without formally marrying. These relationships—commonly called “common-law relationships”—are recognized under BC’s Family Law Act. Importantly, once certain criteria are met, common-law couples have nearly identical property and debt division rights
Property Rights of Common-Law and Married Couples After Separation in British Columbia Read More »
Melissa has 8+ years of combined Commercial, Business and Contract Law experience as In-House Counsel in manufacturing, health, real estate development, and broadcast communication industries. She is instrumental in developing strategies to minimize legal risk and ensure regulatory compliance.
She has 6+ years of Human Resources Management experience and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. Her practice includes Family Law, Civil Litigation, Wills & Estates and Real Estate & Conveyancing.
For fun, she visits ancient sites and ruins and belts out popular Broadway tunes.
Northam Law is a boutique law firm offering advisory services in Real Estate Law and Conveyancing, Business Law, and Human Resources. Our practice areas also include Wills & Estates and Family Law. Notarization services are also available.
