Family Matters
Book an Appointment
Fill in the form below to meet with our team and get legal solutions.
Family Matters
When a relationship comes to end, we can help you to properly resolve matters both with compassion and professional advice. Villani & Company can assist in all areas of family law, including:
Villani & Company provides the following Family Law Services:
Mediation
Mediation puts you and your former spouse in the decision-making seat, allowing you to design a customized plan for your future. Unlike litigation, you and your former spouse decide on what your future will look like. Our role as mediators is to facilitate and support that decision-making process, helping you reach an agreement that is fair, workable and enduring.
Mediation can be much faster and more cost-effective than going to court or other dispute resolution methods. It is not uncommon for parties proceeding through court to take years to resolve their dispute. In mediation, you may conclude a written separation agreement within months. The reduced time required (lower legal fees), and the less formal nature of mediation (no complex forms or court filing fees), can be very cost-effective for families.
A certified family mediator can help facilitate discussions between you and your former spouse. A mediator will address issues constructively and help design a shared solution for your family. This process emphasizes collaboration, with you and your former spouse working together towards the solution.
Lawyer-Assisted Negotiations
Sometimes the parties do not agree to mediate a dispute, and both decide to retain their own lawyer. You can still be collaborative.
We can still be collaborative when we negotiate on your behalf.
We will help you understand the law governing all aspects of divorce, parenting issues, guardianship, support, and the division of property and debt in British Columbia.
We will prepare you for informal discussions and formal negotiations and clearly explain the law and your options to resolve matters. We will advocate on your behalf in negotiations, ensure a fair resolution, and use clear language in any drafted agreement.
Litigation
When necessary, our lawyers will commence court proceedings for you, whether in Provincial Court or the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The court should be the last resort in family matters; however, if going to court becomes necessary, we will pursue your rights zealously, professionally and competently. Family litigation is stressful; our lawyers recognize this and work hard to reduce the negative impact on you and your family unit while diligently pursuing your rights.
Family Law Links:
There are several resources available to you:
MyLawBC: Family Resolution Centre
An innovative online platform that helps parents create a parenting plan that’s in the best interest of their child or children. The parents can negotiate together online, and they can ask for the help of a professional mediator at no cost to the parents. Once they agree on every issue, they can download their parenting plan for them both to sign.
Family Justice Centres
These government-run centres across BC provide services to British Columbians going through separation or divorce. They provide short-term counselling, mediation, emergency and community referrals and other free services.
Dial-A-Law
A website that features free information on the law in British Columbia in over 130 topic areas. The information is reviewed by lawyers and updated regularly.
BC Family Unbundling Roster
Traditionally, family lawyers offer a package of services, including everything from consultation to trial. This can be extremely expensive. Unbundling legal services lets you choose what legal assistance you want.
Lawyer Referral Service
This service, offered by Access Pro Bono, connects you with a lawyer for up to 30 minutes for FREE.
Access Pro Bono
Clients with low household incomes can access free legal services, mediation, and advice.
Pro Bono Collaborative Divorce Project
A voluntary and confidential program for parties going through separation and/or divorce who do not have lawyers and who are willing to meet and negotiate using the principles of Collaborative Practice but are unable to afford the Collaborative team for their case.
Family LawLINE
Low-income people with family law issues can receive free legal advice by phone.
Family Duty Counsel
Designed to assist people with lower incomes in representing themselves in court, these lawyers provide legal information and can offer advice.
Additional legal information resources for families: