Family law for business owners and the self-employed.

Stokes Law divorce lawyer rates start at $275 + GST per hour. A simple uncontested desk divorce typically runs $1,500–$3,500 all-in. We offer a free 30-minute consultation so you can scope cost on your divorce matter.

An uncontested divorce in BC is usually finalized in 4–6 months after the one-year separation requirement is met. Contested divorce matters involving parenting disputes, family violence, or complex property can take 12–24 months.

Child support follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines, based on the payor parent's Guideline income and the parenting arrangement. Section 7 expenses are shared in proportion to income. Self-employment income, corporate distributions, and pre-tax corporate income are scrutinized under sections 17–19 to determine a fair Guideline income.

Spousal support follows the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG). The With-Child and Without-Child formulas use the parties' incomes, length of cohabitation, ages, and child support payable to produce a low–mid–high monthly range and a duration range.

Parenting disputes are resolved under British Columbia's Family Law Act and, for married spouses, the federal Divorce Act. In BC, both parents are typically guardians of their children, and disputes focus on allocating parental responsibilities, parenting time, and contact — through negotiation, mediation, or the Provincial Court or Supreme Court of British Columbia where needed.

Coercive control and family violence are explicitly recognized in both the federal Divorce Act and BC's Family Law Act. They affect the best-interests-of-the-child analysis, parenting arrangements, protection orders, and exclusive possession of the home. We build a safety-first strategy and coordinate with police and community resources where appropriate.

For self-employed payors, Guideline income often differs from line 15000. We analyze T1, T2, financial statements, and shareholder loans, add back personal expenses run through the business, and consider corporate pre-tax income under section 18 to determine fair child and spousal support figures.

BC's Family Law Act governs division of family property — including the family home, RRSPs, pensions, business interests, shareholder loans, and digital assets — generally on an equal basis, subject to excluded property such as pre-relationship assets, gifts and inheritances. We work with valuators and accountants to identify, value, and divide corporate assets and family property fairly.

Family law matters in Kelowna are heard in the Provincial Court of British Columbia (Kelowna) or the Supreme Court of British Columbia (Kelowna registry), depending on the relief sought. The Provincial Court cannot grant a divorce or divide property, so those matters must go to the Supreme Court. We help clients choose the right forum and move their file forward efficiently.

BC family law mediation is a confidential, without-prejudice process where a neutral mediator helps both spouses negotiate parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, and property division. Options include private mediation, free services through a Family Justice Counsellor at a Family Justice Centre, and mediation arranged through counsel. Mediated agreements are documented in a separation agreement or consent order, with each party first receiving Independent Legal Advice. Mediation is strongly preferred over litigation unless coercive control or family violence makes it unsafe.

Parenting arrangements are decided under the best-interests-of-the-child test in s. 16 of the Divorce Act and s. 37 of BC's Family Law Act. Courts weigh the child's needs, each parent's willingness to support the relationship with the other, history of caregiving, any family violence or coercive control, and — where age-appropriate — the child's views. Outcomes include guardianship, parental responsibilities, parenting time, and contact orders for non-guardians. Most parenting plans are settled through negotiation, mediation, or a Family Justice Counsellor rather than trial.

Support orders and agreements filed in the Supreme Court or Provincial Court of British Columbia can be registered with the BC Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP), a free government service that monitors, collects, and enforces support payments — including wage garnishment, licence suspension, and other collection tools when a payor falls behind.