What Protections Does the Land Title Act (BC) Offer Registered Property Owners? In British Columbia, the security and certainty of property ownership are underpinned by the Torrens land title system, as set out in the Land Title Act, RSBC 1996, c 250. This system is designed to provide robust legal protections for registered property owners, […]
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Legal Title vs. Equitable Title in British Columbia Real Estate Transactions When buying or selling real estate in British Columbia, two key concepts frequently arise: legal title and equitable title. While closely related, understanding the distinction is essential for anyone involved in a real estate transaction. Legal Title Legal title refers to the official ownership of a property as
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What You Need to Know: The New GST Rebate for First-Time Home Buyers in British Columbia Good news for first-time home buyers in British Columbia! The federal government has delivered on a major promise, and as of May 27, 2025, a new Goods and Services Tax (GST) rebate is available for buyers of newly built
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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”
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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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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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When a spousal relationship ends, the division of property and debt is governed by the Family Law Act. The Act applies to both married spouses and unmarried spouses who have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least two years. 1. Equal Division: The General Rule The starting point is that all family property and family debt are divided
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Separation or divorce can be one of the most challenging and emotionally taxing experiences an individual can go through. In addition to the emotional and personal challenges, there are significant financial implications to consider. Dividing assets, liabilities, and ensuring fair financial settlements can be complicated. To protect assets and financial interests in the event of
Probate is the legal process of validating a deceased person’s will and granting authority to an executor to manage and distribute their estate. However, when assets are jointly owned, probate may not always be required. In British Columbia, whether probate applies to joint assets depends on the ownership structure and the type of asset involved.
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Previous Rules On July 18, 2024, British Columbia updated its regulations regarding notices to end tenancy, requiring landlords and buyers to provide tenants with four months’ notice of eviction, instead of the previous notice of two months’ of eviction. Additionally, the dispute resolution period was increased from 15 days to 30 days. New Rules In
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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.
