Q&A

Business & non-profits Cars & getting around Consumer Families & children Health Home & neighbours Money & debt Plan for your future care Resolving disputes Rights & citizenship Wills & estates Work

Work

Can my employer force me to return to the office if I've been working from home?

I've been working remotely for a couple of years now, and my company is suddenly talking about bringing everyone back. Do I have any say in this?

Families & children

My ex-husband spent years controlling every part of my life. Are there any legal options available to me?

Work

How can I get my employer to pay me the minimum wage?

Wills & estates

Our museum received a large charitable bequest with no strings attached. How can we use it?

Home & neighbours

If I rent a bedroom in a house, will I be protected by BC’s tenancy laws?

Home & neighbours

What should I know before signing a mutual agreement to end my tenancy?

Families & children

My partner and I are splitting up. What now?

Families & children

The government is threatening to take my kids. What can I do?

Work

Can my employer insist I provide proof of being ill when I take sick leave?

Wills & estates

In applying for probate, what debts do I list in the affidavit of assets and liabilities (form P10)?

Home & neighbours

Is there a time limit for a former tenant to challenge that a landlord actually moved into the rental unit?

Home & neighbours

My landlord defaulted on their mortgage. Now the bank wants to foreclose. What does that mean for me?

Home & neighbours

I own a condo, and am struggling to pay the mortgage. What if I fall so far behind I can’t catch up?

Consumer

I’ve started a formal complaint against an airline through the Canadian Transportation Agency. What happens next?

Rights & citizenship

Can I be sued for leaving a negative review of a company?

Rights & citizenship

Are there privacy laws governing the taking of videos or photos of public events such as open-air concerts?

Home & neighbours

In a rental building, is the management permitted to have security cameras monitoring the hallway?

Rights & citizenship

Am I allowed to have a nanny cam in my rental unit that’s activated when someone enters the unit?

Rights & citizenship

Is my landlord allowed to ask for my social insurance number?

Wills & estates

How do I leave a gift to a charity in my will?

Wills & estates

What paperwork do I need to file for probate?

Families & children

My wife and I are breaking up. She wants to keep our dog. So do I. Who gets to keep her?

Home & neighbours

Our landlord evicted us for “family use.” But then he didn’t move family in like he said. Can I get compensation for being unfairly evicted?

Home & neighbours

My financial situation isn’t stable right now. If I lose my job, I’m worried I won’t be able to pay rent on time. Is there anything I can do to avoid eviction?

Home & neighbours

My landlord is refusing to make repairs I’ve asked for. What can I do? Can I stop paying rent?

Home & neighbours

My landlord said I have to vacate my home in a month. What can happen if I just refuse to move out? Can the landlord change the locks?

Home & neighbours

My landlord is constantly harassing me not to have guests over. She’s also hinted at evicting me. Is there anything I can do?

Home & neighbours

The Residential Tenancy Branch ruled in my favour. They granted me a monetary order. But my landlord won’t pay up. How do I get the compensation I’m owed?

Resolving disputes

I was awarded money by the Civil Resolution Tribunal. Now I’m told that to enforce my order I have to file it in court. How do I do that?

Resolving disputes

My lawyer charged me more than I feel is reasonable. Can I challenge their fee?

Resolving disputes

I got a court judgment against someone. What are the steps to get paid?

Money & debt

I got a letter from BC Unclaimed saying they’re holding unclaimed property in my name. What does that mean?

Plan for your future care

I manage my husband’s federal pensions, because he can’t do it himself. What happens if I’m no longer able to do it?

Work

Can my 17-year-old son work while he’s on a study permit in Canada?

Work

When an employer advertises a job, do they have to include the expected pay?

Home & neighbours

I’m a landlord. My tenant agreed to regular inspections of their unit. What if they don’t show up?

Home & neighbours

As a tenant, what can I do if the property manager is ignoring maintenance issues (and giving me a hard time)?

Home & neighbours

What is and is not permitted during a landlord’s inspection of a rental unit? Can they take photos?

Home & neighbours

What happens when there are two tenants on a tenancy agreement and one of them leaves?

Plan for your future care

To plan for when I can’t make decisions on my own, do I need a power of attorney and a representation agreement?

Plan for your future care

In making decisions for someone, how can I give them the right amount of autonomy?

Plan for your future care

My spouse has dementia and has moved into a care home. How can we sell our jointly owned home?

Plan for your future care

Can a bank refuse to accept a power of attorney?

Plan for your future care

Who can witness the land title portion of an enduring power of attorney in BC?

Plan for your future care

I have a power of attorney for my mom. Do I have to show my sister my mom’s bank account statements?

Work

As a domestic worker, am I entitled to overtime pay from my employer?

Work

I told a contractor I wasn't going to renew her contract. Should I have put it in writing?

Work

My husband’s employer makes him work overtime and never pays him for the extra time. Is this legal?

Work

I was fired and was not paid within 48 hours. What now?

Home & neighbours

I live with roommates. One of them wants me out. Can they evict me?

Home & neighbours

As a roommate in a rental unit, how much notice am I entitled to get on being evicted?

Home & neighbours

Can my roommate raise my rent on me? I’m not on the tenancy agreement.

Home & neighbours

What are my options for removing a roommate who has stopped paying rent? They’re not on the tenancy agreement.

Home & neighbours

My building doesn’t allow pets. Is this legal?

Work

I just got a job offer. Should I get a lawyer to review it before I sign?

Work

I was just let go from my job. How much severance pay should I get?

Work

What can I do if my boss is bullying me at work?

Work

What jobs are considered “light work”?

Work

I was just let go, and the company is offering me severance only if I sign a document they put in front of me. Should I do this?

Health

Am I allowed access to my own medical records?

Wills & estates

Do all beneficiaries need to receive a statement of account?

Wills & estates

I’m the executor of my brother’s will. Do I need to include RRSPs as an asset on probate form P10?

Wills & estates

I’m applying for probate. Who do I need to send a probate form P1 to? Do I need to send notice to myself?

Wills & estates

I’m handling my dad’s estate. How do I open an estate account?

Wills & estates

My mother-in-law died. Can I transfer her car out of her name without going to court?

Wills & estates

Do I need to probate my sibling’s will? We owned property together. I want to know how to transfer their share to my name.

Wills & estates

Do I need to probate my dad’s will if he owned most things jointly with others?

Wills & estates

Mom died without a will. She had $5,000 in the bank. And she left tax free savings accounts to me and my brother. How do I deal with her estate?

Wills & estates

Do I need to probate my spouse’s will? We owned everything jointly, except our home.

Health

Where can I find out how much has been awarded in personal injury cases in BC?

Health

Is my surgery a case of negligence?

Home & neighbours

Can we force our neighbours to cut their trees?

Home & neighbours

Who is responsible for repairing a retaining wall between two properties?

Home & neighbours

Our shared fence needs replacing, and my neighbour says they won’t split the cost. Don’t they have to?

Home & neighbours

What is the difference between a guide dog and an emotional support dog?

Home & neighbours

Can I run into legal problems if something bad happens to an animal I’m pet sitting?

Wills & estates

Is the perception true that wills are often contested and redistributed in court proceedings?

Wills & estates

My mom put an investment in both of our names. Does that money become part of her estate?

Wills & estates

What is the interplay between my will and designations I make in registered savings plans?

Wills & estates

Does a beneficiary have to approve the executor's fee?

Cars & getting around

Am I responsible for repairs to the used vehicle I sold privately?

Cars & getting around

A car I bought from a dealer broke down within a week. What are my rights?

Business & non-profits

If I use information or a photo that I got through a Google search, does that infringe copyright?

Business & non-profits

The directors at our non-profit aren’t doing their job. How do we deal with this?

Families & children

How can my (soon-to-be) ex and I speak with our kids about how the relationship has petered out?

Home & neighbours

I feel like my strata council is harassing me. How can I make them stop?

Money & debt

A friend I loaned money to just passed away. How do I get the money from his estate?

Home & neighbours

How do I appeal a decision of my strata council?

Home & neighbours

I’m about to buy a condo. Do I need a lawyer or notary public for this, or can I do it myself?

Home & neighbours

Our shared fence is falling apart. My neighbour wants to upgrade it. Do I have to pay for any of this?

Home & neighbours

My neighbour is dumping garbage on our side of the fence. Do I have to pay to get rid of it?

Home & neighbours

I hit a dog with my car. Will I have to pay the vet bills?

Work

If I get a huge cut in hours, have I effectively been laid off?

Work

What are my rights if I get laid off because I have COVID?

Home & neighbours

Can I be evicted if I get COVID?

Work

What's the difference between a temporary layoff and being terminated?

Work

How does severance pay work if my temporary layoff due to shortage of work becomes a permanent lay off?

Wills & estates

As a beneficiary, what can I do if I’m not satisfied with the estate accounts?

Health

I want my son to take an alternative health care treatment. He’s not keen. Can I decide for him?

Health

Can I just take my daughter to counselling or does my ex have to agree?

Money & debt

I’m about to lend some money to a friend. Should I get a lawyer to do the paperwork?

Wills & estates

Do I need a lawyer or notary public to make my will?

Health

I rode into a pothole on a city street. I ended up with two broken arms. Can I sue the city?

Wills & estates

What happens if there’s no will and an heir dies before the estate has been settled?

Wills & estates

What exactly does the word property mean in a will?

Wills & estates

What happens if a beneficiary dies before the estate has been settled?

Wills & estates

As the executor, I can't find a beneficiary. How do I move forward to get probate and settle the estate?

Wills & estates

What happens if a new estate asset is discovered after probate is completed?

Wills & estates

What happens when a beneficiary dies before the will-maker?

Wills & estates

As a beneficiary under a will, what's involved in requesting an estate bond?

Wills & estates

What can I do if I don’t like how the executor is managing the estate?

Wills & estates

How do I find out if I'm a beneficiary of a will in British Columbia?

Wills & estates

What happens to my debts when I die?

Wills & estates

I can’t find anyone to be the executor of my will. What should I do?

Wills & estates

In my will, can I name multiple people to take care of my kids?

Business & non-profits

Another company is using my images to advertise their work. Isn't this illegal?

Business & non-profits

Another business is using a really similar name and logo to mine. What can I do?

Home & neighbours

Am I responsible for the cost of repairing a hole my strata cut in my wall?

Business & non-profits

I serve on a non-profit board. When are we allowed to have in camera meetings?

Plan for your future care

To be appointed under a power of attorney for someone who lives in BC, do I need to live in the province?

Consumer

I hired a contractor to redo my kitchen. They were slow, unresponsive, and didn’t complete the job properly. Do I have to pay the final invoice?

Home & neighbours

I want to buy a home from an estate sale. How will this affect the purchase?

Home & neighbours

The unit below my rental apartment suffered water damage, apparently caused by my bathtub. Can I be held responsible?

Health

An item I bought second hand injured me. Who’s responsible?

Wills & estates

My spouse died without a will. Can I deal with the estate?

Wills & estates

My partner didn’t have a will. What happens to his estate?

Consumer

Does a contract have to be in writing to be valid?

Wills & estates

Can the executor of a will use or give away the deceased's property?

Plan for your future care

Is it possible to add an alternate attorney to an existing power of attorney?

Health

I tripped on a city sidewalk and broke two ribs. Can I sue the city?

Health

I slipped and fell in a store. Are they liable for my injuries?

Health

As a homeowner, are there steps I can take to protect against slip and fall claims?

Health

I slipped and fell going down the stairs at a friend’s home. Are they liable for my injuries?

Wills & estates

I'm handling my mom's estate; how many copies of the death certificate should I order?

Plan for your future care

Is the power of attorney we made in the United States valid in BC?

Wills & estates

My spouse died. What happens to a loan we took out together?

Wills & estates

Who is responsible for arranging the funeral?

Wills & estates

What happens if the executor dies before the will-maker?

Wills & estates

My spouse died, leaving more debts than assets. As executor, what should I do?

Wills & estates

My father died without a will. I'm told I need a grant of administration to deal with his affairs. How do I get that?

Wills & estates

Do I need to probate a will in BC if the deceased was a Canadian living in the US as a permanent resident?

Wills & estates

In my parents' wills, can they name me as their executor if I don't live in Canada?

Wills & estates

Can a beneficiary transfer assets directly to a person not named in the will?

Wills & estates

In an insurance policy, can a person's estate be named as the beneficiary?

Wills & estates

Can a will be redacted to protect the privacy of beneficiaries?

Wills & estates

What can a beneficiary under a will do to speed up the process of distributing the estate?

Business & non-profits

Do I need a lawyer and an accountant to incorporate a company or society?

Business & non-profits

What are some things to consider when choosing a name for my business?

Work

I run a business and just declare self-employment income. Should I incorporate instead?

Home & neighbours

Our fence on the property line has been damaged by our neighbour. Are they responsible for the damages?

Home & neighbours

Is there a rule about how close a fence can be to a neighbour’s house?

Home & neighbours

If I build a fence six inches into my property, can my neighbour now use the six inches on the other side of my fence for their yard?

Home & neighbours

My neighbour wants to build a retaining wall between our properties. They won’t get more than one (expensive) quote. What are my rights?

Cars & getting around

I'm visiting BC for a few months. Do I need a BC driver's licence?

Cars & getting around

I'm worried about my 81-year-old dad's driving. What can I do?

Cars & getting around

My son wants to have my driver’s licence taken away. Can he do that?

Rights & citizenship

Can I go fishing in Howe Sound?

Rights & citizenship

Can I take my dog to a regional park?

Rights & citizenship

Can I take my dog to a provincial park?

Home & neighbours

The upstairs (head) tenant hasn’t mowed the lawn in months and garbage is piled everywhere. What can I do?

Home & neighbours

My condo neighbour’s cannabis smoke is driving me crazy. What can I do?

Home & neighbours

Can my neighbour come on to my property without my permission?

Home & neighbours

Is there anything I can do about the unbearable smell coming from the neighbouring apartment?

Home & neighbours

My neighbour stores boxes in our shared hallway. I can barely get past. Is there anything I can I do?

Cars & getting around

The used car was described as "fully serviced." I had problems right away and my mechanic now says it's unsafe. What are my rights?

Cars & getting around

I bought a used car from a dealership. Within two months it needed multiple repairs. Should the dealer have to pay for these repairs?

Cars & getting around

I took my car in for specific repairs. The garage did additional work, and it cost three times what I expected. Is there anything I can do?

Cars & getting around

The car I bought from a private seller broke down the first time I drove it. What are my rights?

Consumer

My cellphone provider just billed me for $18,000. Can they do that?

Consumer

I hired a paving contractor. They never did the job. Can I get my down payment back?

Wills & estates

Can I contest my parent’s will?

Money & debt

How is a consumer proposal different from bankruptcy?

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