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Legal Separation Services With Pathway Legal
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Do You Need a Legal Separation Agreement?
A legal separation agreement sets out everything needed to create clarity between you and your to be ex-spouse, after separation. While you do not always have to have one, it is a must have if there are assets and children and a safety document even if there are not. It is highly recommended in all situations.
In BC, if you’ve lived together for more than two years in a marriage-like relationship — or if you have a child together — you are considered “spouses” under the Family Law Act.
That means, when you separate, you may need to make decisions about property, debts, parenting time, child support, and even pets. A legal separation agreement helps document these terms clearly and avoid future disputes.
A legal separation agreement will include details on:
- How you will divide your assets.
- Any support payments.
- Your parenting plan (if applicable).
- Legal releases, confirming that each of you is released from certain obligations under BC legislation.
There are several ways to create a separation agreement, most of which use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes. At Pathway Legal, we often use mediation, mediation/arbitration, collaborative family law, and four-way meetings. Visit our FAQ for extra details.
What Affects The Cost Of A Legal Separation in BC?
The average cost of a legal separation in BC depends on two key elements:
- Is the separation uncontested?
- Is your lawyer offering flat fees for their services?
Having helped many families through separation in BC, we’ve found that the cost of reaching a legally binding separation agreement varies depending on several factors. These include whether you and your ex-spouse are seeking an amicable separation or whether one of you is high-conflict.
It also depends on whether a parenting plan is required, and the overall complexity of your situation.
In our experience, the average cost of a legal separation in BC ranges from $3,000 to over $100,000. That said, most people resolve their matters in the $10,000 to $15,000 or under range.
Also, a flat fee legal separation or divorce is a fit for some folks but not others. If you are able to take advantage of it, a flat fee structure is a win-win for you, the client, and your lawyer because you get to know exactly how much your case will cost from the outset.
For the lawyer, it is also beneficial because they can leverage their expertise and efficiencies in such a way that helps your case.
What Does Pathway Legal Charge for a Legal Separation Agreement?
If you want a flat fee legal separation or divorce, you will see from the fully itemised costing below that it is quite possible depending on your circumstances. Need a flat fee divorce? Read more...
The flat fee cost for a Separation Agreement in British Columbia is $3,078.25 at Pathway Legal. This flat fee includes legal fees, disbursements, and taxes for a legally binding separation agreement.
These costs and services also cover Cohabitation Agreements, Marriage Agreements, Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements.
What is the cost breakdown of the Pathway Legal flat fee legal separation?
What is the cost breakdown of the Pathway Legal flat fee legal separation?
The breakdown includes:
- $2,500; Legal services.
- $125; Divorce Mate software fee.
- $95; Cloud (encrypted and secure) storage and administration fee.
- $20; Printing, scanning, photocopies.
- $25; Agency fees and/or CSO. We utilize court agents that we have worked with for almost 30 years. They stand in line at the courthouse and file documents, so you don’t have to pay your lawyer or our support staff to do it.
- $125; GST on legal fees.
- $175; PST on legal fees.
- $13.25; GST on disbursements.
Requirements
Requirements
- Accurately fill out the firm intake form in its electronic format.
- Provide your Pathway Legal lawyer with a written-out draft of your proposed agreement.
- In addition to your initial consultation, you agree to meet with your Pathway Legal lawyer up to two further instances to review and confirm the terms of the agreement, or document that is to be prepared.
- Fully and accurately fill out the asset and debt section of the financial statement form (with your paralegal's assistance if you wish).
Inclusions
Inclusions
- Legal drafting of a comprehensive, binding separation agreement, which will address matters such as the division of your assets, your parenting plan, child support, spousal support, conduct, and any other relevant matter arising from your separation. For more on these subjects, please visit our Divorce with Children and Spousal Support sections.
- up to two (2) one-hour meetings with your Pathway Legal lawyer.
- an overview of the law as it relates to you and your unique circumstances.
- legal advice associated with your planned agreement, so you clearly understand your rights and responsibilities.
- prepare the agreement based on your instructions.
- communicate with opposing counsel or party, for up to 30 minutes. Your lawyer will make reasonable, agreed-upon changes to the agreement in consultation with the other party, their lawyer, and you.
- attend with you to execute the agreement once finalized.
- execute the Certificate of Independent Legal Advice appended to your agreement.
Are discounts available?
Are discounts available?
- EAP clients:
Clients who are a part of the Employee Assistance Program, receive a 25% discount on the legal fee. So, instead of the legal fee component being $2500, it would be $1875. - Prior Pathway clients also receive a 25% discount.
- EAP client AND an existing Pathway client:
You receive another 25% off the legal fees. So a whopping 50% discount on the legal fees making it $1250, instead of $2,500.
What can add extra, unexpected costs?
What can add extra, unexpected costs?
If your situation becomes more complex — for example, if your ex is uncooperative or if unexpected legal issues arise — additional fees may apply.
We’ll always discuss these with you first. Nothing will proceed or charged without your full understanding and consent.
Can I save money by negotiating a legal separation with my ex partner?
Can I save money by negotiating a legal separation with my ex partner?
Sometimes, clients choose to negotiate directly with their ex-spouse after an initial consultation with us. In those cases, we are asked to simply draft the legally binding agreement—which is a perfect fit for a flat fee retainer.
Is there a money back guarantee?
Is there a money back guarantee?
Yes. If you are not completely pleased with your lawyer at your first initial consultation, you can have your money back.
How long does it take to get a legal separation agreement?
How long does it take to get a legal separation agreement?
With Pathway Legal’s flat fee service, many agreements are finalized in weeks — depending on your circumstances and how quickly both parties respond.
Can I choose my own Pathway Legal Lawyer?
Can I choose my own Pathway Legal Lawyer?
Yes. You can meet our lawyers here.
What's Next?
- If you are ready to take advantage of our family law services or need to discover more about how we work, simply contact our team.
- If you are still deciding whether you are ready to take the step of separation or divorce, you may find our dedicated Pathway Legal Better Divorce series of emails very useful. You can subscribe for free, here and there is no obligation or marketing to you if you subscribe.
The Pathway Legal Services
We offer flat fees for the following services:
- Drafting your legally binding agreement:
Separation Agreement, Cohabitation (i.e. Marriage Agreement), Prenuptial Agreement Read more... - Your Uncontested Divorce:
(Ideal if you are seeking a fixed-fee divorce). Read more... - Independent Legal Advice:
(Essential for reviewing an agreement prepared by another party or lawyer) - Notarizing documents:
(Where no legal advice is required) - Wills and Estate Planning:
(A key step post-separation to protect your new family structure) We will also help you if you simply want a new will.
Note: If the other party is being difficult, uncooperative, or has an argumentative lawyer, a flat fee may not apply. It’s important to discuss this with your Pathway Legal lawyer.
How Are Pathway Legal's Family Law Services Unique?
- Court as a last resort:
The last thing you need is to drag your changing family through the court system. If we can avoid court, we will. - Transparent billing:
Know exactly what you are being billed right the way through. - The goal of resolution:
It is stressful to have your family matter outstanding. You want it resolved. Every time you meet with us, we get you closer to the goal of final resolution. - Dispute Resolution:
We have lawyers at Pathway Legal who have dispute resolution training. The extra value to you is that it provides a powerful level of skill in keeping clients out of court while still getting the matter fairly. - Demystifying the law:
Nobody likes long-winded and stuffy sounding legal words. At Pathway Legal, we describe the law and your rights and responsibilities in straightforward terms. - Care and nurturing:
We mean it when we say you are in good hands. We are more than your lawyers, we are an entire legal team that cares about you and your changing family.
Make an appointment
Val Hemminger, divorce lawyer and owner of Pathway Legal, and her team serve families all over BC, including Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Abbotsford, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Victoria, Langley, Kelowna, and Maple Ridge.
If you are not completely pleased with your lawyer at your first initial consultation, you can have your money back
Office Hours
Mon to Thurs: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Fri: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
FAX: 833-250-7771
West Vancouver:
Park Royal South, Unit 200-100
West Vancouver, B.C. V7T 1A2
Available for
video conference meetings
Abbotsford:
Available for in-person appointments
Victoria office:
206-310 Wale Rd
Victoria, B.C. V9B 0J8
Available for in-person meetings or
video conference meetings
North Vancouver:
901-3rd Street West #100-1
North Vancouver, B.C. V7P 3P9
Available for video conference meetings
Pathway Legal Law Corporation, Val Hemminger, Be the Best Divorce Lawyer. All rights reserved.
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