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"QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES at AFFORDABLE PRICES"

Welcome to The Law Office at Sears, Metrotown, in the heart of Burnaby. We are accessible. We have an open door policy. We offer competent, professional counsel to clients in British Columbia. We strive in every way to offer quality, courteous, careful and personal service to our clients and always at affordable prices. Our offices are humble but that does not detract from the competent care we provide to our clients.

Our ServicesWe offer help with: Top of Page
Also a full range of other areas of law faced by individuals, families, single parents, and businesses. We welcome referrals from other lawyers.

LAWYERS WANTED - Immediate Opening [click here]

This web site is designed to give you the basic information. We know the law can be confusing so we have provided some information you can use in deciding whether we can be of assistance to you. Please do not hesitate to give us a call. We are wheelchair accessible, and have ample parking. Please check back often as we intend to make the site informative. Please bookmark our page now.

We are providing many links to both the Canadian Government and the British Columbia Government. Please see each section below plus our Helpful Links.

From time to time we will provide you with some Interesting Cases that we think will be of interest to our clients.

Please click here to contact us


' WILLS

One of the most important things you can do for your family is to have a properly drafted will.  We have been doing wills for over 25 years.  Our extensive collection of precedent wills and computer technology enables us to make your wills simply and quickly.  "Keeping it simple" is not bad advice when it comes to wills and it keeps your costs down.  The basic fee for a simple will is $100.00 plus GST, PST and the cost of a will notice (if one is requested).  However, if you want to get into the more intricate and complicated trust provisions that may be included in a will, or have some burning desire to avoid the Wills Variation Act, we are more than able to draft and properly execute those as well.  We also do home or hospital visits.

Have you considered who will be the guardian of your infant children should you pass away?  Who do you trust to be the Executor of your estate?  Is there someone you do not want to share in your estate?  When is a will valid?  When is the right time to do a Power of Attorney?  What can a Power of Attorney do?  When is a committee needed?  What are the tax consequences upon your death?

If you need a will, give us a call.  When we draft your will there are some points you should know.
 

We are providing you with the following links to do with Wills:
B.C Attorney General:  About Wills and Estates
 We have also found the following B.C. acts to do with Wills:
PROBATE RECOGNITION ACT
TRUST AND SETTLEMENT VARIATION ACT
WILLS ACT
WILLS VARIATION ACT

' ESTATES

Being an executor is a serious responsibility that is a draining experience. It's complicated and filled with liabilities. If you are named as an Executor, you should contact a lawyer immediately, rather than ½ way through when there could be a lot of clean up problems to rectify.

Do you know who is or is not entitled to notice under the Wills Variation Act or under an intestacy or partial intestacy? Is the named Executor not willing to act, or cannot be located? Are you able to determine all of the assets owned by the deceased? Are you able to order a will search from the Division of Vital Statistics checking all names used by the deceased on various documents? Are you able to prepare the various Affidavits, Notice, Praecipe, Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Distribution?

Do you know how to transfer land held in joint tenancy or into the name of the Executor? Are you aware that advertising for creditors in required in two newspapers? Are you qualified to prepare estate accounting and releases for the beneficiaries?

What about filing the appropriate income tax returns and obtaining a Final Clearance Certificate from Revenue Canada in order to protect the Executor?

We are experienced estate lawyers capable of handling probate, administration and other various procedures dictated by the circumstances, executors accounts and the transfer of assets. If you need assistance, please consult us for a consultation.

We have also found the following B.C. acts to do with Estates:

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ACT
PUBLIC TRUSTEE ACT
PUBLIC GUARDIAN AND TRUSTEE ACT
SURVIVORSHIP AND PRESUMPTION OF DEATH ACT
TRUSTEE ACT
UNCLAIMED MONEY ACT

' FAMILY & DIVORCE

Make sure you read about Apprehensions below if your are having trouble with your children.

Even if you are already divorced and are making or receiving child support payments, you should come in and consult us regards the new rules and regulation on Child Support. Below we give an compressive outline to the steps involved in Divorce of Married Couples and the separation of Unmarried Couples.Make sure to read the Other Questions about Divorce.
 

  • I. MARRIED COUPLES
  • In Canada, the divorce rate is 51%.  What that figure means is that over half of those couples who are married will get divorced in this country.  Divorce can prove to be a difficult and emotional time for all parties involved, especially if you have children.  However, putting off your divorce for whatever reason, may not solve anything.  And sometimes delay can be harmful to your case.  Are you thinking about getting a divorce, but you don’t know where to start?  If you have any questions about divorce, come and see me for a 1/2 hour consultation at Saucier & Company.  We can work together and I can help to provide you with the answers you need to put your mind at ease.
    Since the divorce process is such a personal one for everyone, it is impossible to discuss all issues involved in detail.  However, there are some common questions that are asked by people who come in to our offices.  If you have thought about some of these questions and do not have answers, you are not alone!
  • II. UNMARRIED COUPLES

  •  
  • III. OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVORCE?

  •   If you have thought about any of these questions and need to speak to someone, call me at Saucier and Company and set up an appointment.  Don’t delay your divorce, you may be giving up your rights under the law!
     

    We are providing you with the following links to do with Family and Divorce matters:

    BC Ministry for Children and Families: Parents and Caregivers
    BC Ministry of Attorney General - Child Support - Information and Assistance
    BC Ministry of Attorney General - Child Support - New Enforcement Measures
    BC Ministry of Attorney General - Child Support - New Guidelines
    BC Ministry of Human Resources Homepage
    BC Ministry of Women's Equality
    Child Support home page
    Child, Youth and Family Health
    Do It Yourself Divorce in BC
    Family Support - Child, Youth & Family Health
    Family Violence Statistic by Canada Correction Branch
    RCMP Drug Awareness Program
    Safety-Information for Parents and Kids
    Strategy for the Renewal of Youth Justice
    We have also found the following B.C. acts to do with the Family and Divorces:
    ADOPTION ACT
    CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY ADVOCACY ACT
    CURFEW ACT
    FAMILY COMPENSATION ACT
    FAMILY MAINTENANCE ENFORCEMENT ACT
    FAMILY RELATIONS ACT
    MENTAL HEALTH ACT
    MINISTRY OF HEALTH ACT
    MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING ACT
    NAME ACT
    PROVINCIAL COURT (FAMILY) RULES
    SCHOOL ACT
    YOUNG OFFENDERS (BRITISH COLUMBIA) ACT

    ' APPREHENSIONS

    The first thing YOU MUST AWARE of,  is that the DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN has UNBELIEVABLE POWERS under the Act. The DIRECTOR'S POWER can be VERY INTRUSIVE. CONSULT US IMMEDIATELY should you have YOUR CHILDREN APPREHENDED.

    If your child or children have been apprehended by social workers empowered under the new Child, Family & Community Services Act, you should consult and retain a lawyer immediately.

    The CFCSA is a complicated Act. We cannot review it entirely here. There are four stages normally; presentation, protection, extension and continuing care. Consider generally section 13 of the Act which is the section defining when a child is need of protection.

    PART 3 Child Protection

    When protection is needed

            13 (1) A child needs protection in the following circumstances:

                (a) if the child has been, or is likely to be, physically harmed by the child's parent;

                (b) if the child has been, or is likely to be, sexually abused or exploited by the child's
                parent;

                (c) if the child has been, or is likely to be, physically harmed, sexually abused or
                sexually exploited by another person and if the child's parent is unwilling or unable to
                protect the child;

                (d) if the child has been, or is likely to be, physically harmed because of neglect by
                the child's parent;

                (e) if the child is emotionally harmed by the parent's conduct;

                (f) if the child is deprived of necessary health care;

                (g) if the child's development is likely to be seriously impaired by a treatable
                condition and the child's parent refuses to provide or consent to treatment;

                (h) if the child's parent is unable or unwilling to care for the child and has not made
                adequate provision for the child's care;

                (i) if the child is or has been absent from home in circumstances that endanger the
                child's safety or well-being;

                (j) if the child's parent is dead and adequate provision has not been made for the
                child's care;

                (k) if the child has been abandoned and adequate provision has not been made for
                the child's care;

                (l) if the child is in the care of a director or another person by agreement and the
                child's parent is unwilling or unable to resume care when the agreement is no longer
                in force.

            (2) For the purpose of subsection (1) (e), a child is emotionally harmed if the child
            demonstrates severe

                (a) anxiety,

                (b) depression,

                (c) withdrawal, or

                (d) self-destructive or aggressive behaviour.

    Duty to report need for protection

            14 (1) A person who has reason to believe that a child

                (a) has been, or is likely to be, physically harmed, sexually abused or sexually
                exploited by a parent or other person, or

                (b) needs protection under section 13 (1) (e) to (k)

            must promptly report the matter to a director or a person designated by a director.

            (2) Subsection (1) applies even if the information on which the belief is based

                (a) is privileged, except as a result of a solicitor-client relationship, or

                (b) is confidential and its disclosure is prohibited under another Act.

            (3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence.

            (4) A person who knowingly reports to a director, or a person designated by a director,
            false information that a child needs protection commits an offence.

            (5) No action for damages may be brought against a person for reporting information under
            this section unless the person knowingly reported false information.

            (6) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable to a fine of up to $10 000
            or to imprisonment for up to 6 months, or to both.

            (7) The limitation period governing the commencement of a proceeding under the Offence
            Act does not apply to a proceeding relating to an offence under this section.
     

    We are providing you with the following links to do with Apprehensions:

    BC Ministry for Children and Families: Home Page
    BC Ministry for Children and Families: Regional Operating Officers
    Children's Commission - British Columbia
    Helpline for Children: Zenith 1234
    Office of the Child, Youth and Family Advocate
    We have also found the following B.C. acts to do with Apprehensions:
    CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT

    ' PERSONAL INJURY & ICBC CLAIMS

    Our consultations for personal injury and ICBC claims are free. If we do not recover damages for you, we do not charge you a fee. We work on a contingency basis. Acting for yourself on an ICBC matter is really a quick way to short change yourself.

    You should consult a lawyer as soon as possible; or if your are injured and confined to a hospital, have a family member or friend do it for you.

    You need to discuss:

    We are providing you with the following links to do with ICBC: We have also found the following B.C. acts to do with ICBC:
    INSURANCE CORPORATION ACT

    ' REAL ESTATE

    We do conveyancing. If you are buying or selling a home, and/or getting a mortgage, with or without a realtor involved, we can help.

    Remember your home is usually one of the largest assets that you will buy or sell. The advice of an impartial party can be very helpful.

    We are providing you with the following links to do with Real Estate:

    British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General -- Land Title
    LandData BC Home Page Digital Maps Land Information and Data
    We have also found the following B.C. acts to do with Real Estate:
    HOME CONVERSION AND LEASEHOLD LOAN ACT
    HOME MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACT
    HOME OWNER GRANT ACT
    HOME OWNER INTEREST ASSISTANCE ACT
    HOME PURCHASE ASSISTANCE ACT
    HOMESTEAD ACT
    LAND (SPOUSE PROTECTION) ACT
    LAND TAX DEFERMENT ACT
    LAND TITLE ACT (1 of 26)
    LAND TITLE INQUIRY ACT
    LAND TRANSFER FORM ACT
    MANUFACTURED HOME ACT
    MANUFACTURED HOME TAX ACT
    MORTGAGE BROKERS ACT
    PARTITION OF PROPERTY ACT
    PROPERTY LAW ACT
    PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX ACT
    RENT DISTRESS ACT
    REPAIRERS LIEN ACT
    RESIDENTIAL TENANCY ACT
    TAXATION (RURAL AREA) ACT
    TRESPASS ACT

    ' INTERESTING CASES
    Supreme Court of Canada Judgements

    ' OTHER HELPFUL LINKS
    1996 Revised Statutes of  British Columbia (consolidated to Oct 31, 1997)
    ACJNet - Access to Justice Network
    Australian Law on the Net
    British Columbia Status and Bills [more]
    British Columbia Superior Courts
    Canadian "Parliamentary Internet" Bills, Debates etc.
    Canada Statutes and Regulations
    Department of Justice Canada "Laws of Canada"
    Electronic Law Library for BC
    Legal Information Institute, Cornell University (USA)
    Legal Services Society - British Columbia
    Ministry of the Attorney General - Publications and Reports
    Office of the Ombudsman of British Columbia
    QuickLaw by QL Systems Limited (Canada)
    Revenue Canada / Revenu Canada
    Supreme Court of Canada
    Tax Court of Canada
    The Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C.
    University of British Columbia Library Catalogue
    West's Group Home Page
    West's Legal Directory (USA,Canada & International)
    Also see our links for:

    If you are a lawyer looking for a position, please contact Robert J. Saucier at the following address.


    Our Address and other communications are:

    Saucier & Company
    The Law Office at Sears,
    4750 Kingsway Ave,
    Burnaby, B.C. V5H 2C2

    Phone: 604-434-7200

    Fax: 604-432-9803

    Email: lawyers@saucier.bc.ca


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