On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Nov, 20, 2017 | Real Estate Law
In order to slash corrupt real estate deals, the Pacific province is introducing a new set of rules for 2018. The new British Columbia laws governing real estate will crack down on dual agency, or when one real estate agent works for both the purchaser and the vendor on the same sale. The rules will also let buyers know just how much commission real estate sales persons are entitled to make. The changes are partly due to a practice known as shadow flipping, where a property is sold many times. The sales contracts on these properties are reassigned before the closing... View Article
On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Nov, 07, 2017 | Personal Injury Law
Spinal cord injuries can be debilitating. However, research is making leaps and bounds into finding a cure for this devastating personal injury, and British Columbia is the leader of the pack when it comes to this research. A University of British Columbia researcher was the leader of a group that came to the conclusion that people with spinal cord injuries should have about a half an hour of medium-to-high intensity aerobic exercise three times every week. The research that led to this conclusion will be presented at the International Spinal Cord Society’s annual meeting in Ireland. The team consisted of... View Article
On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Oct, 30, 2017 | Family Law
There are many issues that may come up if you are navigating the process of divorce. Children are often the first and biggest concern. While there are implications specific to any given case that a lawyer may be able to guide you through, they can generally be encompassed in three larger points. 1. What is encompassed in “custody”? Though “custody” is often used to mean “residency,” as in who the child will live with for the most part, it actually means “decision-making power.” This can encompass decisions ranging from where the child will go to school to if a child... View Article
On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Oct, 23, 2017 | Real Estate Law
Medical marijuana users can grow their own pot at home now thanks to the federal marijuana law. But British Columbia residents could find that doing so might affect their ability to sell their home if they ever choose to do so. However, the law is vague regarding whether or not homeowners have to disclose the fact that they grew marijuana inside their homes or on their premises, which can affect real estate sales. Each province regulates its real estate industry. For example, The Real Estate Council of British Columbia (RECBC) says that vendors should tell purchasers in writing that they have grown... View Article
On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Oct, 09, 2017 | Wills And Estates
A holographic will is one that a person writes entirely in his or her own handwriting and not signed by any witnesses. Many people prefer doing things the old school way, including the writing of wills, but when it comes to wills and estates laws, many provinces won’t accept such documents. British Columbia is one of them, with a few stipulations. The B.C. government has made some changes in its laws to allow for the curing of deficiencies in wills that are basically invalid. In other words, if a court deems a will invalid and yet can see the person’s... View Article
On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Oct, 03, 2017 | Personal Injury Law
A multi-vehicle crash in Surrey recently sent three people to hospital. Many British Columbia residents involved in car accidents suffer personal injury. Police said in this case those taken to hospital suffered serious injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening. A police officer with the RCMP traffic services said the vehicles were travelling at a high rate of speed and the outcome of the crash could have been a lot worse. The officer said it was lucky no one was killed. Police don’t believe alcohol was involved in the incident, although they are continuing their investigation. British Columbians who are injured in vehicle... View Article
On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Sep, 20, 2017 | Wills And Estates
No one likes to think about his or her own demise. But at some point, planning for the inevitable is essential, especially if children are a part of the process. Most individuals think mainly of a will, but this is only one component of a comprehensive estate plan. Those in British Columbia who are thinking about estate planning may also consider how life insurance may play a part in the process. The aim of life insurance in depends upon the stage of a person’s journey in life. Younger couples with children likely view life insurance as security in case of... View Article
On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Sep, 19, 2017 | Real Estate Law
Many British Columbia homeowners face the situation every few years: the time your mortgage term will be expiring. Yet, it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience if you know what to expect. You may be up against different interest rates, and you also might be thinking about finding another lender with more attractive rates. Being aware of how to avoid potential drawbacks will give you a head start when renewal or refinance time actually rolls around. Renewing your mortgage is actually a great time for you to think about how well your existing arrangement has been fitting into your... View Article
On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Sep, 18, 2017 | Real Estate Law
Having the North American headquarters of Amazon located in Vancouver would be a boost not only for the city, but for the province. Such a real estate deal would be beneficial for all of British Columbia since the headquarters could potentially cost about $5 billion. Amazon recently announced it is looking for another site for a building in addition to one already located in Seattle. The Vancouver Economic Commission is reviewing the Amazon HQ2 request for proposals, hoping to make a bid for the project. The VEC is seeking input from local businesses and government. If the bid is successful, it could... View Article
On Behalf of Porter Ramsay LLP | Sep, 14, 2017 | Family Law
There used to be a time when marriage meant “til death do you part.” Even when problems arose, couples stayed married under any circumstances rather than go through a divorce. Today, however, it seems even those who have been married for many years are realizing that when it’s over, it’s over. The trend has resulted in a steady rise in “grey” divorce rates all across Canada, including British Columbia. Divorce among the senior set – those 50 years of age or older – is on the rise and dramatically so. Statistically, it seems that women are taking the lead in... View Article
