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When a couple with children separates, important issues must be decided. Where will the children live? How much time will each parent spend with the children? How will parenting decisions be made? BC child custody issues can be discussed using a variety of legal terms, such as custody, access, guardianship, and parenting time. Years of experience as a Prince George divorce lawyer, have showed that these legal terms are often misunderstood, and that confusion can delay resolution of family law matters. This post is intended to clarify some key child custody issues in British Columbia.

Spousal support is a complicated area of family law. Unlike child support, spousal support is not an automatic right when a marriage ends. There is a two-step process to proving a claim for spousal support. The first step is to determine if you are entitled to it. If you are a spouse who is entitled to ask for spousal support, the second step is to determine how much you should receive and for how long. Let’s have a look at the steps in more detail.

It is well known that alcohol-impaired driving and drug-impaired driving can cause serious motor vehicle accidents. In fact, the risk that a motor vehicle accident will result in personal injury or fatality significantly increases when the driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs. A person who is injured in a motor vehicle accident caused as a result of an impaired driver’s negligence can bring a personal injury claim against the impaired driver for compensation including pain and suffering, past wage loss, loss of future earning capacity, and out of pocket expenses. Close family members of a person who is killed by an impaired driver can bring a wrongful death claim against the impaired driver.

If you are considering separating from your spouse or have already begun the process of separation, you likely have many questions. There is so much at stake, and decisions made at the end of a marriage can impact every aspect of life in the future. The best first step in navigating the complex and emotional process of divorce is to talk to a family lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced divorce lawyer will answer your family law questions, explain your options, and ensure your rights and interests are protected. Taking the important step of reaching out to a divorce lawyer can feel daunting – for many people, it is the first time they have had to hire a lawyer. Here is what to expect from your first meeting with a divorce lawyer.

BC separation agreements entered into by spouses or common law partners will have significant, lasting consequences, shaping the most important aspects of their future lives. The terms of a well-drafted separation agreement can create structure for separating spouses by setting out rights and obligations with respect to all family law issues, including financial support, property division, and parenting arrangements. Given the importance of what is at stake, separating spouses should consider getting advice from an experienced family lawyer. Here are some of the top reasons why you should consult an experienced BC family lawyer to draft your separation agreement.

Dog attacks and dog bite injuries are extremely common in BC. Some dog bites are minor; others cause serious personal injury. Lawyers help people with dog bite claims obtain compensation for injuries such as lacerations, bruising, infections, scarring, damage to muscles or nerves, and broken bones. Many BC dog bite injury claims involve a psychological component as well. The emotional trauma of a dog attack or being mauled by a vicious dog can cause PTSD or other issues such as anxiety, insomnia, and a fear of dogs, particularly if the attack is very serious or the victim of the dog attack is a young child. If you or a loved one is injured by a dog, there are options for seeking compensation for damages. Here is what you need to know about legal responsibility for a dog bite injury.

While ATVs are fun to ride, they’re also responsible for a large number of emergency room visits. Injuries can be caused by reckless driving, speeding and inexperienced riders taking the wheel. Sometimes, it’s just plain bad luck. Off-road paths can be bumpy, uneven and strewn with potential hazards such as rocks and trees. This is why even responsible, competent riders can have accidents.

In this article, we list some of the most common injuries resulting from ATV accidents and provide safety tips for avoiding getting hurt.

With the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia expecting an $800 million loss this fiscal year, provincial officials have taken steps to cut costs. Reforms have targeted injury claims costs. These expenses represent about two-thirds of ICBC spending, and payments for vehicle damage make up the rest. Vehicle damage expenses have jumped by 50 percent during the last five years and prompted calls for ICBC to improve its management of this expense category.

Any lawyer in Prince George can tell you that safe driving requires not only a thorough understanding of traffic laws but also a realistic evaluation of your physical and mental state. Law firms in Prince George often see accidents that could have been avoided with proper foresight, so this post will outline five helpful tips to help drivers of any age stay safe on the roads.

The Trial Lawyers Association of B.C. has made its disapproval clear concerning changes coming from the Insurance Corporation of B.C. Starting April 1st, 2019, ICBC intends to cap some minor injury claims at $5,000. Additionally, claims valued below $50,000 must be handled out of court in a Civil Resolution Tribunal. A letter from the Trial Lawyers Association to its members stated that the group was investigating legal options for challenging the ICBC caps on settlements.

The group Rights Over Arbitrary Decisions for British Columbians has recently made a Facebook post that garnered a lot of attention.

It’s almost time for the back-to-school frenzy to begin. Once you’ve gotten the kids ready to make it through the new school year, you might think that your worries are over. The truth is that everyone of driving age has more to think about once school is in session again. Below are a few driving tips from personal injury lawyers in Prince George that will help to keep everyone safer once school starts back up.

While summer is a great season for outdoor activities, law firms in Prince George also note that there are plenty of opportunities to get hurt if you’re not careful. Doctors and personal injury lawyers in Prince George say that the five most common summer injuries listed below can happen to anyone, so be sure to play with caution this season.

Lawyers in Prince George, BC, and across the province are appalled by the state of affairs that the NDP has created regarding the treatment of citizens injured in traffic accidents.

For British Columbians, the fight against ICBC’s persistent unfairness has not stopped or slowed. Law firms in Prince George are gearing up for yet another brawl as Attorney General David Eby attempts to enact even more restrictive legislative changes.

During the first of April, the 6.3 percent boost in insurance rates for most in British Columbia was perhaps expected. This amounted to an increase of $60 in the average annual insurance bill. But that hike alone would not have been enough to balance the budget at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Instead, the provincial crown corporation also instituted limits on how much it pays for insurance claims.

In a recent Supreme Court ruling, a judge has made it very clear that the courts are not in favour of the new ICBC litigation strategy that has been implemented over the past few months. Justice Neena Sharma gave a scathing oral opinion on a case she said was “ripe for settlement” yet was taken to trial anyway. Not only was she angry that ICBC wasted the court’s time, but she further said that she would have awarded more in costs to the plaintiff if she had been able to.

The days are starting to get longer and the weather is becoming fairer. And while hitting the road is easier now than in the winter months, drivers still require some care behind the wheel unless they want to consult a personal injury lawyer in Prince George. Here are some tips for driving in the springtime.

A car, bicycle, or pedestrian accident happens instantly but can have life-long consequences on your health, finances, and general wellbeing, if not handled properly. As one of the law firms in Prince George, we urge you to follow these steps after an accident occurs.

As the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s costs of settling claims rises, many citizens are finding that their settlement offers are being rescinded or lowered in order to help the Crown agency manage the financial burden. Across British Columbia, lawyers are finding that all current settlement offers are being taken off the table, regardless of where in the negotiations process the case had previously been.

For many, the holiday season is a time of celebration. Temptation is everywhere and it’s easy to overindulge in good food and intoxicating drink. But if you’re planning on drinking even a small amount, it’s best not to drive. Here are a few tips for ensuring you keep yourself (and others) safe this holiday season.

Winter can be particularly harsh on roads (and those who use them). Drivers have to contend with slippery surfaces and snow-covered roads, see through vision-impairing fog and falling snow, and cope with other vehicles that may be driving slowly or have broken down due to harsh weather. If you want to avoid a visit to a personal injury lawyer in Prince George, heed these tips for driving safely this winter.

The Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia (TLABC) recently submitted a detailed paper in response to changes in the Insurance (Vehicle) Amendment Act. TLABC specifically addressed changes to the ICBC under Bills 20 and 22 with a goal of improving transparency while protecting victims’ concerns and civil liberties.

Distracted driving can lead to accidents and injuries that may cause you to search for lawyers in Prince George BC. Every year, more than 78 British Columbians die each year due to distracted driving. If you’re tempted to use your phone when driving, try these five apps recommended by our lawyer in Prince George the next time you hit the road.

Once smartphones arrived on the scene, it wasn’t long before drivers started using them while behind the wheel. Making calls, sending texts, and even browsing social media while driving can lead to distraction – which ultimately can cause accidents.

For those who love to get behind the wheel, traffic-free summer roads can be a dream to drive on. But summer months can also bring their share of problems. Here are four tips that will help you . drive safely through the summer.

Crashes involving impaired drivers are a leading cause of fatalities in Canada. Every day, approximately 3.5 Canadians are killed in an alcohol- or drug-related incident on public roads. During the busy grad season, young Canadians are especially at risk of being involved in a car accident. In fact, MADD Canada states that most young people are likely to be killed or injured in crashes during the summer months. Fortunately, there are road safety tips that you can follow to ensure all parties arrive at their destination safely.

It’s summer, and for plenty of people, that’s the best time for motorcycle riding. Motorbike safety is especially important during this season. Motorbikes are involved in around 10 percent of traffic fatalities despite being just three percent of all insured vehicles. In addition to the usual safety rules, new regulations have been introduced for motorcyclists.

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia continues to struggle, according to a recent report from the Fraser Institute. Professor Emeritus John Chant stated that the corporation’s problems began years ago, but they grew worse as the government failed to take action.

The British Columbia government is enacting a cap on pain and suffering claims for minor injuries caused by automobile accidents. The new $5,500 cap has been criticized by lawyers, rehabilitation centers and health care experts, who claim that the cap could penalize those who need medical care.

When you need legal representation, the process is similar to hiring any type of service professional. You’ll want to pay close attention to qualifications, willingness to communicate, and pricing. Apply these tips to identify a lawyer who’ll be a good fit for your case.

Winter is in full swing throughout the Pacific Northwest and Prince George, with cold temperatures expected for the next several weeks. Snow, ice, and rain can cause safety concerns for motorists, making it essential to prepare your vehicle ahead of time. Here are a few winter safety tips that may lower the risk of an accident or injury this winter.