Meridian Law Group

09/02/2026

In British Columbia, a testator’s spouse or child can challenge a legally valid will under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act if they believe the Will does not adequately provide for their maintenance or support. Whether the Court will vary the Will to provide more for the testator’s spouse or child will depend largely on the circumstances of each case, including the estate’s value, the testator’s relationship with the spouse or child, the spouse or child’s financial means, or the testator’s promises to provide for the spouse or child.

If you suspect an estate distribution is unfair or invalid, contact Meridian Law Group today at (604) 337-6184 or visit meridianlawgroup.ca to schedule a consultation with an estate litigation lawyer.

08/31/2026

In a precedent-setting decision, the B.C. Supreme Court declared $30.5 million in condo pre-sale agreements for a Burnaby high-rise unenforceable after finding the developer failed to disclose material setbacks—including permit suspensions and ongoing financial distress—to buyers. The ruling confirms that developers must adhere strictly to ongoing disclosure obligations under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act (REDMA), and that statutory consumer protection rights cannot be automatically overridden by federal insolvency proceedings.

https://ow.ly/hhyH50ZHnea

08/26/2026

Even when an elderly parent is vulnerable or reliant on an adult child, a change to a will is not automatically invalid. The Supreme Court of British Columbia’s ruling in Pike v. Pike highlights the critical legal distinction between family pressure and legally actionable undue influence in estate disputes.

Read our latest blog post to learn how the court evaluates suspicious circumstances, mental capacity, and independent legal advice when determining the validity of a will: https://ow.ly/F36050ZFIKt

A BC court considers competing wills, suspicious circumstances, testamentary capacity, undue influence, and lifetime gifts.

08/24/2026

Most commonly, a couple lives “separate and apart” by choosing to live in different residences. However, this is not a legal requirement. Some couples may stay in the same house for financial or co-parenting purposes but live separate and apart by maintaining independent lives. If the date of separation is in dispute, a court may examine the spouses’ particular circumstances to determine when they started living separate and apart.

Meridian Law Group delivers comprehensive advice and strategy throughout the divorce process. Whether resolving disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or trial, our seasoned family lawyers focus on swift, low-conflict solutions tailored for success.

Contact our team at (604) 913-7465 or reach out online to schedule a confidential consultation.

08/20/2026

Relocation disputes are among the most sensitive and legally heavy challenges in family law. A recent decision from the British Columbia Court of Appeal provides crucial clarity on how courts must evaluate a child's best interests when one parent seeks to move.

The court emphasized that a relocation analysis cannot simply be treated as issuing a return order. Instead, judges are required to perform a holistic assessment of the child's emotional, psychological, and physical well-being under both potential realities - whether the proposed move is approved or denied. This ruling underscores that procedural shortcuts cannot replace a thorough review of the entire family dynamic.

For parents navigating post-separation moves or responding to relocation notices, understanding how courts weigh these statutory factors is essential for preparing a compelling legal strategy.

Read the full analysis in our latest blog post to learn how this ruling shapes parental relocation law: https://ow.ly/lNJJ50ZBwPk

A BC appeal decision explains how courts assess parenting plans, family violence and a child’s best interests in relocation cases.

08/17/2026

A person concerned about an executor’s conduct can apply to the Court for an order to remove the executor from their role. The Court must be satisfied that the estate and/or the beneficiaries’ best interests will be at risk if the executor is allowed to continue administering the estate.

Common reasons for removing an executor include the executor causing an undue delay in the estate’s administration or distribution of the estate assets, misappropriating estate property, or taking their compensation from the estate funds before they are allowed to do so (or taking too large a share).

Meridian Law Group’s talented estate litigation lawyers develop effective, out-of-the-box legal strategies for clients involved in executor disputes and are a commanding presence in the courtroom. To schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced estate litigation lawyer, reach out online or call (604) 305-2887.

08/13/2026

In British Columbia family law, adultery carries significant emotional weight but rarely impacts spousal support determinations. Under the Family Law Act and federal Divorce Act, spousal support entitlement, quantum, and duration are determined strictly by financial need, compensatory factors, ability to pay, and economic roles during the relationship, not fault or marital misconduct.

For separating spouses in Vancouver and across BC, an affair may explain the breakdown of a marriage, but courts do not use support awards to punish infidelity or reward fidelity.

Our latest family law blog breaks down adultery in BC divorce proceedings, spousal support eligibility criteria, and financial factors evaluated by the courts.

https://ow.ly/kXcq50Zztqw

Does adultery affect spousal support in BC? Learn how Vancouver family law approaches fault, finances, and support after separation.

08/11/2026

Relocating with a child or responding to a proposed move involves complex legal standards under British Columbia’s Family Law Act and the Divorce Act. In B.C., a parent planning to move must provide a formal 60-day written notice specifying the date and location, giving the other parent an opportunity to respond.

Courts evaluate relocation disputes strictly on the child's best interests, reviewing factors such as current parenting time arrangements, reasons for the move, and workable plans to preserve the child's relationships.

Meridian Law Group provides strategic guidance to parents proposing or opposing a relocation, advocating vigorously in negotiations and in court. Contact our Vancouver family law team at (604) 337-6184 or visit meridianlawgroup.ca to schedule a confidential consultation.

08/07/2026

Phantom bidding and falsified offers in British Columbia's real estate market constitute serious breaches of the Real Estate Services Act and common law fiduciary duties.

Deceptively fabricating competing offers to inflate purchase prices exposes real estate licensees and brokerages to civil claims for fraudulent misrepresentation, as well as severe regulatory discipline from the BC Financial Services Authority. Preventing liability requires strict offer documentation, transparent disclosure protocols, and rigorous internal compliance to ensure all submitted bids are genuine.

Our latest blog details the legal consequences of phantom bidding in BC and key risk management practices for brokerages: https://ow.ly/951950Zxb1a

Learn how phantom bids and falsified offers can impact Vancouver real estate deals and what legal remedies are available in BC.

08/05/2026

Determining support obligations - whether for child support or spousal support - requires a deep understanding of federal and provincial family law frameworks, as well as a thorough review of your family's unique financial dynamics.

At Meridian Law Group, our family lawyers provide tailored guidance to ensure support arrangements are fair and equitable. We handle all aspects of support payments, including child support guideline calculations, spousal support entitlement, ongoing disclosure obligations, and order variations. Whether negotiating a settlement or advocating in court, our team works to secure your financial future and protect your family's needs.

Contact our Vancouver team at (604) 305-2887 or visit meridianlawgroup.ca to schedule a confidential consultation.