Difference between revisions of "Family Relationships"
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===Married spouses and unmarried spouses=== | ===Married spouses and unmarried spouses=== | ||
Married spouses and unmarried spouses who have lived together for at least two years have exactly the same rights in British Columbia under the provincial ''Family Law Act''. Both may: | Married spouses and unmarried spouses who have lived together for at least two years have exactly the same rights in British Columbia under the provincial ''[[Family Law Act]]''. Both may: | ||
*be the ''guardians'' of any children they happen to have, and as guardians have parental responsibilities and parenting time with respect to those children, | *be the ''guardians'' of any children they happen to have, and as guardians have parental responsibilities and parenting time with respect to those children, | ||
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*apply for ''protection orders'' if they feel they are at risk of family violence. | *apply for ''protection orders'' if they feel they are at risk of family violence. | ||
The only legal differences between married spouses and unmarried spouses who have lived together for at least two years are that only married spouses must get a ''divorce'' to end their relationship with one another, and only married spouses can ask the court for orders under the federal ''Divorce Act''. That's it. | The only legal differences between married spouses and unmarried spouses who have lived together for at least two years are that only married spouses must get a ''divorce'' to end their relationship with one another, and only married spouses can ask the court for orders under the federal ''[[Divorce Act]]''. That's it. | ||
The only legal difference between unmarried spouses who have lived together for at least two years and unmarried spouses who have lived together for less than two years is that couples who have lived together for less than two years aren't able to share in family property and family debt under the ''Family Law Act''. They may: | The only legal difference between unmarried spouses who have lived together for at least two years and unmarried spouses who have lived together for less than two years is that couples who have lived together for less than two years aren't able to share in family property and family debt under the ''Family Law Act''. They may: | ||