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Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Family Law in British Columbia"
From Clicklaw Wikibooks
Introduction to Family Law in British Columbia (view source)
Revision as of 17:06, 11 May 2013
, 17:06, 11 May 2013→The law
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==The law== | ==The law== | ||
There are two kinds of law: laws made by the governments, called ''legislation'', ''statutes'' or ''acts''; and, laws made by the courts. Laws made by the courts are known as the ''common law'', ''precedent decisions'' or ''case law''. They come from the different | There are two kinds of law: laws made by the governments, called ''legislation'', ''statutes'' or ''acts''; and, laws made by the courts. Laws made by the courts are known as the ''common law'', ''precedent decisions'' or ''case law''. They come from the different proceedings that the courts have heard over hundreds of years, and the decisions the courts have made in those different proceedings. | ||
Legislation is made by the federal government and the provincial government. The two pieces of legislation that are the most important for family law in British Columbia are the federal ''Divorce Act'' and the provincial ''Family Law Act''. Each piece of legislation deals with different family law problems and applies to different kinds of relationships. | Legislation is made by the federal government and the provincial government. The two pieces of legislation that are the most important for family law in British Columbia are the federal ''Divorce Act'' and the provincial ''Family Law Act''. Each piece of legislation deals with different family law problems and applies to different kinds of relationships. | ||
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*spousal support. | *spousal support. | ||
The ''Family Law Act'' applies to married spouses, unmarried spouses, and couples who are neither married spouses nor unmarried spouses and are perhaps just dating. This law deals with: | The ''Family Law Act'' applies to married spouses, unmarried spouses, and unmarried couples who are neither married spouses nor unmarried spouses and are perhaps just dating. This law deals with: | ||
*guardianship, | *guardianship of children, | ||
*parental responsibilities and parenting time, | *parental responsibilities and parenting time, | ||
*contact, | *contact, | ||
