Child Support

At Paine Edmonds LLP, we understand that your children are your top priority. When parents separate, creating a fair and practical parenting arrangement is essential to ensuring your child’s well-being and stability. Under British Columbia’s Family Law Act, the terms “custody” and “access” have been replaced with Guardianship, Parenting Time, and Contact. Our experienced family lawyers are here to help you navigate these concepts and create a parenting plan that works for your family.

Understanding Parenting Arrangements

1. Guardianship

Guardianship refers to the rights and responsibilities of making major decisions about a child’s upbringing, including:

• Education

• Healthcare

• Religious or cultural upbringing

• Extracurricular activities

In most cases, both parents are automatically considered guardians if they lived together after the child was born. However, in some situations (e.g., casual relationships), a parent may need to take legal steps to establish guardianship.

2. Parenting Time

Parenting time is the time a child spends with each guardian. This includes:

• Daily care and supervision

• Overnight stays

• Holidays and special occasions

Parenting arrangements can vary widely, from equal shared time to one parent having primary care with the other having visitation rights.

3. Contact

Contact refers to time a child spends with someone who is not a guardian, such as:

• A non-guardian parent

• Extended family members (e.g., grandparents)

• Other significant individuals in the child’s life

How We Can Help

The family law team at Paine Edmonds LLP has extensive experience helping parents create fair and practical parenting arrangements. We can assist with:

• Determining guardianship rights and responsibilities.

• Negotiating or mediating parenting time and contact schedules.

• Drafting parenting agreements that outline the terms of your arrangement.

• Representing you in court if litigation becomes necessary.

Our goal is to ensure that your child’s best interests are protected while helping you achieve a resolution that works for your family.

Take the Next Step

If you’re dealing with a parenting issue, the family lawyers at Paine Edmonds LLP are here to help. Whether you’re establishing guardianship, creating a parenting schedule, or modifying an existing arrangement, we’ll provide the guidance and advocacy you need.

Contact Us Today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced family lawyers. Let us help you create a parenting plan that protects your child’s best interests and works for your family.