Doug's Articles
The Haunted House - and other problems to face when selling your house
Posted on May 26th, 2016 by Centennial Law in Real Estate
Does the Seller have to disclose notorious events or hidden defects in selling a property?
The Good Samaritan and the Law
Posted on April 30th, 2016 by Centennial Law in Good Samaritan law
The law makes allowances to be "kind" to people who cause injury or are injured while trying to be good Samaritans.
When a Marriage Ends Can one Spouse Make a Claim on Gifts Given by the Parents of the Other Spouse?
Posted on April 28th, 2016 by Centennial Law in Family Law
While gifts given by third parties during a marriage may be considered to be "excluded property" upon divorce, people sometimes overlook the importance of being able to prove the intent with which the gifts were given.
Post-Mortem Property Transfers
Posted on April 24th, 2016 by Centennial Law in Wills
Contrary to popular myth, your property doesn’t usually go to the government if you die without a will. What happens to your property when you die?
Wrongful Dismissal - The Duty to Mitigate
Posted on April 17th, 2016 by Centennial Law in Employment Law
Outside of the collective agreement context, employers almost always have the right to dismiss employees - but they must give advance notice or compensate the employee for salary in lieu of the notice. On the other hand, the employee must make reasonable efforts to find alternative employment.
It’s Just Not Fair!
Posted on April 11th, 2016 by Centennial Law in Family Law
Should family property be split 50:50 upon the couple’s separation? That used to be the rule - but now, in British Columbia, the Courts also look at what each partner brought into the relationship.
Helping Someone with Diminished Mental Capacity
Posted on March 31st, 2016 by Centennial Law in Capacity
Documents typically needed to help someone with diminished mental capacity are the power of attorney and the representation agreement. Can a person with diminished capacity sign such documents?
Can Things said in Open Court Be Repeated Outside of Court?
Posted on February 25th, 2016 by Centennial Law in Going to Court
My ex-husband has a transcript of our divorce trial. He has given several copies to friends. Can I do anything?
The short answer: "no." Parts of the court process are private – but, in general, anything which happens in open court is in the public domain. Access to court records pertaining to family law cases is slightly restricted but, even then, there is no general rule of privacy for such records.
A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing
Posted on February 11th, 2016 by Centennial Law in Going to Court
Does a litigant who is represented by a lawyer have an advantage and, if so, is that unfair?
The Trusted Investment Advisor When Investments Go Wrong
Posted on January 28th, 2016 by Centennial Law in Going to Court
Does reliance on professional advice give you an automatic right to sue the advisor when things do not go as expected?