Starting a business is an exciting venture filled with possibilities, but it also comes with critical decisions. One of the first and most important choices you'll face is selecting the right business structure. The structure you choose will impact your taxes, liability, management responsibilities, and ability to raise capital. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences, advantages, and disadvantages of three common business structures: sole proprietorship, partnership, and incorporation.
In British Columbia, a builders’ lien is a powerful tool. But it’s not a catch-all remedy. You cannot always lien for everything you think you're owed, and getting it wrong can be expensive.
Here’s what the Builders Lien Act actually allows, and where people tend to make mistakes.
When parents separate, one of the first questions that comes up is child support. Who pays? How much? And for how long?
In British Columbia, child support isn’t discretionary or negotiable in the way many people assume. It’s governed by federal legislation and structured guidelines. While every family’s circumstances are different, the starting point is often more straightforward than people expect.
Here’s how child support is calculated in BC, and some common mistakes that can become expensive later.
In any business venture with multiple owners, the relationship between shareholders can be as critical to the success of the enterprise as its operations or market strategy. A shareholders agreement is a legally binding document that outlines the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of each shareholder. Yet, many businesses overlook this essential tool, often to their detriment.
Whether your company is a budding startup or a long-established firm, having a well-drafted shareholders agreement can provide clarity, prevent disputes, and safeguard your business’s future. Here, we discuss why every business with more than one shareholder should prioritize creating this vital document.
If you’ve ever shaken hands on a deal and later wondered whether that handshake would hold up in court, you’re not alone. I get asked about verbal agreements all the time – usually after a relationship has gone sideways. A text-message blowup. A former business partner who’s suddenly forgetful. A family member who insists they “never agreed to that.”
Here’s how verbal agreements actually work under BC law, and where people tend to get into trouble.
“Are we separated or divorced?”
It sounds like a simple question, but in British Columbia, the answer matters more than many people realize.
A lot of separating couples use the terms separation and divorce interchangeably. In reality, they’re legally distinct concepts. Confusing them can lead to serious misunderstandings about rights, obligations, and timing – particularly around property division, support, and future relationships.
