Families sometimes find a handwritten note after someone dies that looks like “final wishes.” In British Columbia, such documents are not automatically valid wills. Whether they take effect depends on the formal signing rules in the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA) or, if those rules were not followed, on a discretionary court order. The […]
Handwritten (Holograph) Wills in British Columbia: Are They Valid? Read More »
Home sales in British Columbia usually turn on three key dates: completion, adjustment, and possession. They often sit close together on the calendar, but they do different things. Knowing the difference helps prevent last‑minute stress, extra costs, and disputes. Completion: When Ownership Changes Hands Completion is the legal closing day. Your lawyer or notary files
Completion, Adjustment, and Possession Dates in BC Real Estate: A Plain‑Language Guide Read More »
A common assumption is that, if a relationship ends, each person simply keeps what they owned at the start. British Columbia’s Family Law Act (FLA) does protect certain “excluded property,” but outcomes often turn on details such as growth in value, how assets were handled during the relationship, and the quality of the paper trail.
Workplace investigations help keep employees safe and reduce legal risk when problems arise. In British Columbia, employers are expected to act quickly and fairly when concerns surface about bullying and harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, threats, or violence. Even if a complaint is not proven, exposure often turns on whether the response was timely, reasonable, and
Workplace Investigations in BC: A Plain‑Language Guide for Employers Read More »
For many British Columbia business owners, the company represents years of work and personal investment. Yet succession is often left until retirement—or until illness, incapacity, or death forces urgent decisions. A clear, coordinated plan protects the business, the people who rely on it, and the value you have built. Why planning matters in B.C. Succession
Business Succession Planning in British Columbia: Preparing for the Unexpected Read More »
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
Employment Contracts in British Columbia: Why Verbal Agreements Are Risky Read More »
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),
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
Separation Agreements in British Columbia: When Will the Court Enforce Them? Read More »
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
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
Capacity to Make a Will in British Columbia: What the Law Requires 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.
