Divorce mediation may be right for you
In order to get a divorce, you might think that you can snap your fingers and it will happen. There are actually timeframes that are constructive to getting a divorce. It can be an emotional time and divorce mediation may be the way that you want to proceed.
If you and your spouse don’t hate each other and want to get a friendly divorce, mediating between you, your spouse and both of your lawyers can be a good idea. There are some things you need to do before the divorce is final. The first step is living apart. You must have lived separately for at least a year before filing for a divorce. This gives you plenty of time to work out the details of the divorce, things like property distribution and child support and custody. One way to speed things up is to prove that one of you was abusive or committed adultery. This makes it a quicker process.
Step two is filling out a form and filing it at the British Columbia provincial or territorial ministry of justice or the attorney general’s office. Your lawyer can do this for you. This way, you know it is done correctly.
You can file for an uncontested divorce. This will ensure that the separation happens in a timely manner. You submit the divorce application on behalf of both of you. Again, your lawyer can do this for you. Your application can be filed in British Columbia and will be reviewed by the Divorce Registry. This office sends notice to your spouse who has 30 days to contest it.
The fourth step is to complete all the paperwork that needs to be submitted. This includes Affidavit for Divorce, Clerk’s Certificate, and A Divorce Order.
One month after the Divorce Order is issued you can get your Certificate of Divorce. This is a process typically requiring the assistance of a legal professional.
Source: FindLaw, “Five steps to a quickie divorce,” accessed Jan. 14, 2016
Laughlin & Company Lawyers Mediators
2755 Lougheed Hwy #710, Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 5Y9
(604) 945-4370