Meridian Law Group

06/10/2026

If your marriage or cohabitation agreement was signed before BC's Family Law Act came into force in 2013, it may still govern your separation today, under a different legal regime than many people expect.

A recent BC Supreme Court decision in A.B. v. C.D. offers a detailed look at how courts assess the enforceability and fairness of pre-2013 marriage agreements, with important implications for property division, spousal support, and child support.

This blog was written by Paul Harden and Mia Bottos of Meridian Law Group. Read more via the link below.

https://ow.ly/Yb6U50Z9ul4

Learn how BC courts assess pre-2013 marriage agreements, property division, spousal support, and fairness under the former Family Relations Act.

06/08/2026

Under British Columbia's Wills, Estates, and Succession Act, children and spouses have the right to challenge a will that fails to adequately provide for them. But the courts must carefully balance that right against the testator's freedom to distribute their estate as they wished.

From unequal sibling shares to full exclusions based on estrangement, wills variation claims are some of the most emotionally complex proceedings in estate law.

This blog was written by our litigation lawyer, Sarah MacDonald. Read more via the link below.

https://ow.ly/7Tta50Z7B6V

Learn how BC courts assess estrangement, disinheritance, and will variation claims under WESA when children are left out of a will.

06/05/2026

Polyamorous relationships are increasingly common in British Columbia, but the province's family law framework was largely built for couples, leaving those in multi-partner relationships to navigate significant legal gaps.

From property division to parenting arrangements, our latest blog explores how existing BC family law applies to polyamorous relationships and where careful planning is essential.

Read more via the link below.

https://ow.ly/HGwI50Z7AVU

Learn how BC family law applies to polyamorous relationships, including property, parenting, and support issues.

06/04/2026

Lawyer Spotlight: Mia L. Bottos, Family Law Lawyer

We are delighted to welcome Mia L. Bottos to the team at Meridian Law Group. Mia joins our firm as a dedicated family law lawyer, bringing a wealth of experience in handling a broad range of high-conflict and complex family matters.

Mia practices exclusively in family law, representing clients in separation and divorce, complex property division, support structures, parenting arrangements, and pet custody disputes. Prior to joining our firm, she honed her skills at a well-regarded boutique family law firm in downtown Vancouver and within the family group of a regional firm. Known for her empathetic and practical approach, Mia prioritizes resolving disputes through mediation whenever possible, while remaining a diligent and confident advocate in the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia.

Originally from Edmonton, Mia is a lifelong fan of the Edmonton Oilers and a firm believer in good winter tires. Outside of the office, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and managing her ever-growing hold list at the public library.

We are thrilled to have her compassionate advocacy and trusted counsel on our team!

06/01/2026

A recent Supreme Court of British Columbia ruling highlights a critical legal distinction: an individual can lack the capacity to manage daily financial affairs while still retaining the legal capacity to make a valid will.

In Marshall Estate, the Court evaluated two wills made by an elderly Vancouver woman with Alzheimer’s disease. Despite a multimillion-dollar estate dispute involving allegations of diminished capacity and undue influence, the Court upheld the later wills. The decision confirms that the legal threshold for testamentary capacity is distinct from day-to-day financial management.

Our latest blog post breaks down this ruling and provides essential guidance for families and executors navigating estate planning during cognitive decline.

https://ow.ly/Epm650Z5GtL

B.C. Supreme Court upholds disputed wills despite dementia allegations and claims of undue influence in a Vancouver estate case.

05/29/2026

Lawyer Spotlight: Bahij Mirzad, Civil and Commercial Litigation Lawyer

We are pleased to welcome Bahij and the diverse skill set he brings to our team. Bahij joined Meridian Law Group in May 2026 and maintains a versatile practice spanning commercial litigation, construction litigation, civil litigation, estate litigation, and family law. He has successfully represented clients before both the Provincial Court and the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Bahij obtained his Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2025, following a Bachelor of Arts with distinction from Simon Fraser University. Having immigrated to Canada at a young age and grown up in the Lower Mainland, he possesses a personal appreciation for the challenges individuals face when navigating complex systems. This background informs his empathetic, client-centred approach. Fluent in Farsi and Dari, he brings a deep understanding of multicultural perspectives to his practice, prioritizing efficient, results-oriented solutions while balancing strategic out-of-court resolutions with decisive courtroom advocacy.

Outside of the office, Bahij maintains an active lifestyle. You can often find him lifting weights at dawn, swimming, hiking new trails, or snowboarding. We are proud to have his strong work ethic and dedication to client care at our firm.

05/27/2026

Vancouver's real estate market adds intense complexity to property division during a separation. While many couples assume assets are simply split down the middle, British Columbia’s Family Law Act draws a sharp line between original asset value and market growth.

Under provincial law, the value of a property brought into a relationship is generally excluded from division. However, any increase in that property's value during the relationship is considered family property and is split equally. Pinpointing the exact value gained and factoring in how family funds paid down the mortgage can shift the financial outcome by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Our latest blog post breaks down how the law treats real estate appreciation during a breakup.

https://ow.ly/h2tO50Z4jWo

Did your Vancouver condo jump in value? Find out how BC family law divides property gains after separation.

05/25/2026

When your family is going through a separation, your children's stability is what matters most. BC's Family Law Act puts their best interests at the centre of every parenting arrangement - from how time is shared to who makes important decisions about their lives.

At Meridian Law Group, we help parents in British Columbia build parenting plans that work in the real world: clear, practical, and focused on what your children need to thrive. Whether you're starting from scratch or revisiting an existing arrangement, our team will guide you through every step.

Call us at 604-687-2277 or visit meridianlawgroup.ca to speak with a family lawyer today.

05/20/2026

The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized a new common law tort of intimate partner violence, a landmark development that will reshape how civil claims arising from coercive and controlling conduct are pleaded and compensated across the country.

The decision in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia has significant implications for family law proceedings in British Columbia and beyond.

Our latest blog breaks down what the ruling means in practice: https://ow.ly/7uC650Z1U68

Learn how the SCC’s Ahluwalia decision created a new tort for intimate partner violence and coercive control in Canada.

05/15/2026

Wishing our clients and colleagues a happy Victoria Day long weekend! 🍁 We hope you get to spend it doing exactly what you love, surrounded by the people who matter most.