New property rights for common law couples in B.C.

British Columbia’s new Family Law Act came into force on March 18th, 2013. Most notably, it confers family property rights upon common law couples. Previously, only married spouses were entitled to a division of property when their relationship ended. Now, any couple who has been living together for at least 2 years in a marriage-like relationship is entitled to a division of family law property when they break up (unless they opt out of the regime by signing some type of domestic contract). Check out the Maclean Law Group website for an overview of the legislative changes.