Parenting Time Lawyer
Experienced parenting time lawyer in BC
If you are going through a divorce, making shared parenting arrangements can be an arduous process. You must manage your own complicated feelings while trying to meet your children’s material and emotional needs. Engaging the right family lawyer can simplify the legal process for you and alleviate your emotional labour.
Valerie M. Little has over 25 years of experience specializing in BC family law and is knowledgeable about legal procedures to ensure your child is cared for in the best way possible. She and her team can help you achieve a fair legal arrangement for parenting time. Contact her today to arrange for an initial consultation in New Westminster.
Parenting time rights and obligations in BC
The legal divorce process in BC assigns parental rights and obligations as outlined in the province’s Family Law Act and the federal Divorce Act. If you are a parent, these acts grant you certain rights and responsibilities.
The rights of a parent include participating in decision-making around key aspects of the child’s life, attending special events and time with the child during special occasions and holidays. It also includes the right to full guardianship if the other parent should die.
Your parental obligations include prioritizing your child’s needs and best interests in decision-making. You must communicate well with the other parent in matters relating to your child; this includes being open about your financial circumstances. You are also obliged to respect the other parent’s time and their relationship with the child.
The legal language of shared parenting
The legal language around parenting has changed in recent years. To help you communicate effectively in legal matters, here is a brief list of key legal terms:
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Parental responsibilities. BC family law uses this term for all parenting obligations. Parents or guardians may agree to divide these responsibilities, each taking on specific roles. They may also agree to share all responsibilities together.
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Decision-making responsibility. This term has replaced “custody” in the federal Divorce Act. It refers to the rights and obligations to provide parental care to a child.
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Guardianship. BC family law uses this term for decision-making responsibility.
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Parenting time. In both provincial and federal law, this term refers to the amount of time designated to a parent or guardian to spend with their child. It replaces the term “access,” formerly used in the federal Divorce Act.
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Contact. This term applies if an adult who is not the parent or designated guardian is appointed to spend time with the child.
Whether you need to know more about parenting time, guardianship or any other aspect of family law, the team at Valerie M. Little Law Corporation is here to educate and support you. When you come to us, we make it a priority to deliver individual attention and care to your case. No two situations are alike, and we take into account all circumstances before advising you on a course of action.
Knowledgeable family lawyer in New Westminster
Valerie M. Little Law Corporation can help you navigate the language and laws around parenting time. From her office in New Westminster, she serves clients from Burnaby, Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale, Delta, Langley, Tri-Cities, the Lower Mainland, Squamish and Whistler.
As specialists in family law, Valerie and her team know of the intricacies of legal parenting arrangements in BC. While divorce is never pleasant, our specialized family law team can assist you in alleviating the burden of child support hassles, meaning that you will have the peace of mind to move forward with your life again. Contact her today to schedule a consultation.