Melissa Briones, Author at Northam Law Corporation

Employment Contracts in British Columbia: Why Verbal Agreements Are Risky

Many employment relationships in British Columbia begin informally. A job offer may be made over the phone or confirmed by email, and work starts quickly—sometimes before any written agreement is signed. While that may be convenient, relying on a verbal agreement often increases risk for both employers and employees, particularly when expectations change or the […]

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Title Insurance in British Columbia: What It Is, What It Covers, and When It Actually Matters

Real Estate Law / Melissa Briones

Title insurance has become a common feature of British Columbia real estate transactions. Many purchasers first encounter it as a single premium collected at completion—easy to overlook until a title or property issue surfaces years later and the question becomes: who pays to fix it? Understanding what title insurance covers (and what it does not),

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Separation Agreements in British Columbia: When Will the Court Enforce Them?

Family Law / Melissa Briones

Separation agreements can provide a structured, private way to resolve the consequences of separation—often without the delay and expense of court proceedings. Yet enforceability is not automatic. In British Columbia, a court may decline to enforce, may vary, or may set aside some or all of an agreement where it fails to meet statutory requirements

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Relocating With a Child in British Columbia: Notice, Objections, and When the Court Becomes Involved

Family Law / Melissa Briones

After separation, parents often need to make practical changes—accepting new employment, moving closer to family supports, or finding more affordable housing. In British Columbia, a move with a child can become a legal issue if it meets the Family Law Act (FLA) definition of a “relocation.” When that framework applies, there are clear notice requirements and a

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Capacity to Make a Will in British Columbia: What the Law Requires

Wills & Estates / Melissa Briones

Capacity is one of the most common—and most litigated—issues in Wills and Estates. In British Columbia, a Will is vulnerable to being set aside if the Will-maker lacked the requisite testamentary capacity at the time the Will was made (typically, when it was executed). When capacity is uncertain, estate administration may be delayed by objections

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Updating Your Will in British Columbia: When and Why You Should Revisit It

Family Law, Wills & Estates / Melissa Briones

Many people assume that once a Will is signed, it can be stored away and never revisited. In practice, a Will is only as effective as its fit with a person’s current life, assets, and relationships. In British Columbia, an older Will may still be legally valid, but it can produce outcomes the Will-maker never

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Choosing an Executor in British Columbia: What You Need to Consider

Wills & Estates / Melissa Briones

Selecting an executor is one of the most significant decisions you will make during the estate planning process. In British Columbia, an executor (also known as a “personal representative”) derives their authority from the will immediately upon the will-maker’s death. Their role is pivotal to ensuring your wishes are honored and your affairs are managed

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Probate Fees in BC: How They Work and How to Reduce Them

Wills & Estates / Melissa Briones

For many executors in British Columbia, the probate process is a necessary hurdle to clearing a loved one’s estate. Simply put, probate is the legal procedure where the Supreme Court of BC confirms the validity of a will and grants the executor the authority to distribute assets. While the court’s “stamp of approval” provides essential

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Pre-Sale Condo Purchases in British Columbia: Key Legal Protections for Buyers

Real Estate Law / Melissa Briones

Buying a home that doesn’t exist yet can be a daunting prospect. A “pre-sale” purchase involves entering into a contract to buy a strata lot—usually a condo or townhouse—before construction is complete. In British Columbia, this process is heavily regulated by the Real Estate Development Marketing Act (REDMA) to ensure a fair playing field between

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Joint Tenancy vs. Tenants-in-Common in BC: What Property Buyers Need to Know

Real Estate Law / Melissa Briones

When you buy property in British Columbia with another person—whether it’s a spouse, a business partner, or a family member—you have to make a critical legal decision: how will you hold the title? In BC, co-owners generally take title in one of two ways: as Joint Tenants or as Tenants-in-Common. While these terms sound similar,

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Author name: Melissa Briones

Employment Contracts in British Columbia: Why Verbal Agreements Are Risky

Title Insurance in British Columbia: What It Is, What It Covers, and When It Actually Matters

Separation Agreements in British Columbia: When Will the Court Enforce Them?

Relocating With a Child in British Columbia: Notice, Objections, and When the Court Becomes Involved

Capacity to Make a Will in British Columbia: What the Law Requires

Updating Your Will in British Columbia: When and Why You Should Revisit It

Choosing an Executor in British Columbia: What You Need to Consider

Probate Fees in BC: How They Work and How to Reduce Them

Pre-Sale Condo Purchases in British Columbia: Key Legal Protections for Buyers

Joint Tenancy vs. Tenants-in-Common in BC: What Property Buyers Need to Know

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