Cash and Kids: Diving Deeper into Complex Issues in Family Law

Chaired by Trudy Hopman and Agnes Huang

Friday 21 November 2025
In-Person (Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, Vancouver) AND Virtual
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
6 CPD credits, including one hour of professional responsibility and ethics, client care and relations, and/or practice management embedded
1 ADR-Mediation credit

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Online registration closes on Thursday 20 November at noon.
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CLICK HERE to access the materials for this conference. This link is only accessible to conference registrants.

ABOUT THIS COURSE:

At its base level, family law boils down to money and children – Cash and Kids. But every file brings its own nuances and complexities. That’s what makes family law such a dynamic and engaging area of practice.

This conference will tackle thought-provoking and difficult family law issues, with presenters offering practical strategies and thoughtful approaches to understanding and working through those issues.

Join us to gain valuable insights into assessing income and values of assets, crafting best terms for cohabitation and separation agreements, and explore the challenges of older children resisting return and of decision-making and child support when children are over the age of majority. You’ll be inspired about using single issue arbitration and making AI work for you and your clients. Attend in person for an exclusive lunch-and-learn with Judge Steven Merrick of the BC Provincial Court. 

PROGRAM:

The Devil is in the Details - Cohabitation and Separation Agreements 
MATTHEW OSTROW, Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver
ANNA SILVER, Silver Selinger LLP, Vancouver

Investigating Income and Values of Assets
GREG WILLIAMSON, Williamson Valuation and Litigation Support Ltd., Vancouver

Single Issue Arbitration: Getting out of Chambers
MORAG MACLEOD KC, Morag MacLeod KC Family Law, Vancouver
This one-hour presentation, included in the curriculum for TLABC’s 2025 Family Law Conference, explores the practical and substantive use of single-issue arbitration to offer clients an alternative to Supreme Court family chambers. All family lawyers are familiar with the chronic challenges of getting contested chambers application heard in the current litigation climate. The presentation will address the “how” to use single issue arbitration to address: (1) preliminary issues such as date of separation, status as a child entitled to support, and jurisdictional issues; (2) interim issues such as advances on capital, interim support, document production, valuation of property, and appointment of experts; and (3) post-resolution issues such as reviews of child and spousal support, parenting schedule changes and adult child support issues. The presentation materials will include precedents and relevant case law.

Views from the Bench – The Things I Wish I Knew When I Was a Lawyer (in-person only)
JUDGE STEVEN MERRICK, BC Provincial Court
Judge Merrick canvassed his colleagues from across the province, asking them to share their top three things that they like that family lawyers do - and the top three things they think could be done differently. From their feedback, Judge Merrick has compiled a list of things he wished he'd known when he was a lawyer.

Older Children Resisting Return
MARIANNE COTTINGHAM, Crossroads Collective, Langley
SUZETTE NARBONNE KC, Society for Children and Youth of BC, Vancouver

Dependent Adult Children - Decision Making and Child Support
MYRON PLETT, Spectrum Family Law LLP, Vancouver

AI Policies and Protocols
LEENA YOUSEFI, YLaw Group, Vancouver

This program has been approved for credit in the following jurisdiction(s):

Law Society of British Columbia

Credit has been approved with the Law Society of British Columbia for 1.00 Professional Responsibility & Ethics, Practice Management credit and 6.00 Structured Legal Education credits.

Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
1133 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3T3

Territorial Acknowledgement
This event takes place on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam First Nations.

Coming to Vancouver and need accommodations?
Members save with preferred rates with TLABC's hotel partners https://tlabc.org/hotelrates.

Cancellations received at the TLABC office by 12 November 2025 will be subject to a $50 administration fee. After 12 November 2025, requests for refunds will not be honoured. Substitutes are always welcome.

Disclaimer
These presentations and any accompanying materials are intended for the sole use of the registrant. It is not permitted to reproduce and/or share in any format without the express written permission of Trial Lawyers Association of BC. By registering, you agree with the aforementioned terms and conditions. We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule courses, refuse admission or change speakers, location or content.

By registering for this conference, you agree to allow TLABC to include your name and firm in the seminar roster. If you do not wish to be included in this list, please contact the Program Coordinator at seminars@tlabc.org or 604-696-6521.