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Difference between revisions of "Family Relationships"
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At law, the most significant difference between married and unmarried relationships lies in the consequences of the end of those relationships. There are fairly strict rules that limit the eligibility of common-law couples for spousal support, for example, and only married couples have the benefit of the rules about the division of property set out in the provincial Family Relations Act. | At law, the most significant difference between married and unmarried relationships lies in the consequences of the end of those relationships. There are fairly strict rules that limit the eligibility of common-law couples for spousal support, for example, and only married couples have the benefit of the rules about the division of property set out in the provincial Family Relations Act. | ||
===Annulment=== | ====Annulment==== | ||
If one or more of the requirements of a valid marriage are lacking, the marriage may be annulled or cancelled. To obtain an annulment, one of the parties must make an application for declaration that the marriage is void. A marriage may be annulled if: | If one or more of the requirements of a valid marriage are lacking, the marriage may be annulled or cancelled. To obtain an annulment, one of the parties must make an application for declaration that the marriage is void. A marriage may be annulled if: | ||
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More information about void marriages, voidable marriages and annullment is available in the chapter Marriage & Divorce > Marriage. | More information about void marriages, voidable marriages and annullment is available in the chapter Marriage & Divorce > Marriage. | ||
===Separation=== | ====Separation==== | ||
Separation is simple: the parties must simply start living "separate and apart" from one another, whether under the same roof or in separate homes. Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need to see a lawyer or file some sort of court document to obtain a separation. You just need to call it quits and tell the other spouse that it's over. | Separation is simple: the parties must simply start living "separate and apart" from one another, whether under the same roof or in separate homes. Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need to see a lawyer or file some sort of court document to obtain a separation. You just need to call it quits and tell the other spouse that it's over. | ||
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For married couples, separation signals the breakdown of their relationship but does not release them from the bonds of their marriage. For unmarried couples, including common-law couples, separation is all that's required to end the relationship. | For married couples, separation signals the breakdown of their relationship but does not release them from the bonds of their marriage. For unmarried couples, including common-law couples, separation is all that's required to end the relationship. | ||
===Divorce=== | ====Divorce==== | ||
Divorce is the legal dissolution of a valid marriage. To obtain a divorce, one spouse must sue the other in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and at least one of the spouses must have been "ordinarily resident" in British Columbia for the preceeding year. In order to qualify for a divorce order, the application must be based on one of three grounds: | Divorce is the legal dissolution of a valid marriage. To obtain a divorce, one spouse must sue the other in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and at least one of the spouses must have been "ordinarily resident" in British Columbia for the preceeding year. In order to qualify for a divorce order, the application must be based on one of three grounds: | ||
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The Alternatives to Marriage Project is an interesting American organization seeking equality for unmarried couples, including straight and same-sex couples, with married couples. It takes the view that people who chose not to marry or cannot marry deserve equal rights and equal protection under the law as married couples. Their website offers a broad array of information for unmarried couples, visit it at www.unmarried.org. | The Alternatives to Marriage Project is an interesting American organization seeking equality for unmarried couples, including straight and same-sex couples, with married couples. It takes the view that people who chose not to marry or cannot marry deserve equal rights and equal protection under the law as married couples. Their website offers a broad array of information for unmarried couples, visit it at www.unmarried.org. | ||
===Other Unmarried Spousal Relationships=== | |||
X | |||
===Extended Family Relationships=== | |||
X | |||
==A Few Surprisingly Common Misunderstandings== | ==A Few Surprisingly Common Misunderstandings== | ||