Our Process
Our legal representation process starts with a 1.5 hour Strategy Session.
The Strategy Session is designed to get to know each other, identify legal issues and develop a plan for your file. Our goal is for this session to leave you feeling supported, empowered and know how much the process will cost you.
After this session, you can:
- choose to proceed with a flat fee package tailored to your family or
- take the information provided with no pressure to further engage our services.
The cost of this session is $500.00 plus tax – and if you decide to work with us, the $500.00 will be credited towards your flat fee package.
If you are a client looking for mediation, instead of the 1.5 hour Strategy Session we will do pre-mediation meetings with both parties. You can learn more about the mediation process here.
Flat fee packages
Transparency in price is one of our key values and we offer our services for flat fees.
At our initial strategy session, we will discuss what the fee will be based on the specific facts of your case.
Why Flat fees?
- Hourly rates rewards lawyers for being inefficient. Flat fees reward lawyers for getting the job done.
- You would not buy a car if you did not know how much it would cost – why should you hire a lawyer without knowing the costs? Flat fees provide certainty for you.
- Separation is stressful. We do not want the uncertainty over cost to add to your stress.
- Hourly rates make clients afraid to reach out for help because of fear of cost. This fear means, that smaller issues can become larger problems. Flat fees allow for proactive resolution.
Below are the ranges of flat fees that are typical for our services. These are only guidelines and your case may be more or less, depending upon your specific facts and case history.
This package is only available if all other matters including property division, child support, spousal support and parenting arrangements have been completed on your file, either by way of Court Order or agreement.
This package includes:
- Drafting the claim for the divorce.
- Filing fees with the Court.
- Drafting the supporting documentation for the divorce application, including Requisition, Certificate of Pleadings, Divorce Order and Affidavits in support of the divorce.
- A copy of your Divorce Order.
For a divorce, you must bring an original copy of your marriage certificate issued by Vital Statistics. For information on how to obtain a marriage certificate if you do not have one, please visit Vital Statistics BC.
Desk Order Divorces
This package includes:
- The initial strategy session.
- Gathering relevant financial and/or parenting information.
- Negotiating the terms of the agreement.
- Drafting the agreement.
- Completing any needed changes to the agreement.
- Witnessing your signature on the final agreement.
- All communication and correspondence with our office.
- All communication and correspondence with the opposing party or the opposing counsel.
Our flat fee means that with us, you will not be charged for every email or phone call – we do not want you to be afraid to reach out for assistance.
As a lawyer, I cannot represent both parties in a family law matter – no matter how amicable you and your spouse are. This means, I can only meet with one spouse. I recommend the spouse I do not meet with obtains their own lawyer to receive independent legal advice.
If you and your spouse have a good working relationship, I would recommend considering mediation. You can learn more about mediation here.
Negotiating and Drafting Separation Agreement
This package includes:
- The initial strategy session.
- Gathering relevant financial and/or parenting information.
- Negotiating the terms of the agreement.
- Drafting the agreement.
- Completing any needed changes to the agreement.
- Witnessing your signature on the final agreement.
- All communication and correspondence with our office.
- All communication and correspondence with the opposing party or the opposing counsel.
Our flat fee means that with us, you will not be charged for every email or phone call – we do not want you to be afraid to reach out for assistance.
As a lawyer, I cannot represent both parties in a family law matter – no matter how amicable you and your spouse are. This means, I can only meet with one spouse. I recommend the spouse I do not meet with obtains their own lawyer to receive independent legal advice.
If you and your spouse have a good working relationship, I would recommend considering mediation. You can learn more about mediation here.
Negotiating and Drafting Cohabitation Agreements
This package includes:
- The initial strategy session.
- Gathering relevant financial and/or parenting information.
- Negotiating the terms of settlement.
- Attending one day of mediation or a Judicial Case Conference.
- Completing any needed changes to the agreement or consent order.
- Witnessing your signature on the final agreement or consent order.
- All communication and correspondence with our office.
- All communication and correspondence with the opposing party or the opposing counsel.
Our flat fee means that with us, you will not be charged for every email or phone call – we do not want you to be afraid to reach out for assistance.
As a lawyer, I cannot represent both parties in a family law matter – no matter how amicable you and your spouse are. This means, I can only meet with one spouse. I recommend the spouse I do not meet with obtains their own lawyer to receive independent legal advice.
If you and your spouse have a good working relationship, I would recommend considering mediation. You can learn more about mediation here.
Negotiating and Resolving through Judicial Case Conference or Mediation
MEDIATION
Our mediation services have three components:
Pre-Mediation
These are individual 45-minute meetings with each participant where I learn about your primary areas of concerns, answer questions and screen to make sure mediation is a good process for you. The pre-mediation meeting cost is $300.00 plus tax per person.
Mediation
This is the dedicated time spent to working together to resolve the issues in dispute. Our mediations are booked in sessions (up to four hours).
By booking in sessions, we can design a process that fits for your family. Many families find booking sessions 1 -2 weeks apart gives them time to reflect and gather information. Other families want to book back-to-back sessions.
Depending on the areas to be resolved, whether it’s parenting, financial or both, most families are able to resolve matters in 3-4 sessions.
Documentation
After each session, you will receive a comprehensive document outlining areas of discussion, next steps.
If agreements are reached, an agreement that you can sign or bring to a lawyer for review will be provided.
The documentation cost is included in the mediation session price.
Each mediation session (up to four hours) is $750.00 plus tax per person and the session price includes the documentation component.