Our Services
A marriage or cohabitation agreement is one of the most practical things a couple can do. At Outset Law, we draft agreements that are clear, enforceable, and built around your actual circumstances — not a template.
What We Handle
Under BC's Family Law Act, marriage agreements and cohabitation agreements allow couples to set out in advance how property, debts, and support will be handled if the relationship ends. When properly drafted and executed — with full financial disclosure and the opportunity for independent legal advice — these agreements are legally binding and enforceable in BC.
We draft agreements tailored to each client's situation — whether that means protecting inherited assets, pre-relationship property, a family business, real estate, or simply establishing clarity around finances from the start of a relationship. We also assist clients who have received a draft agreement from the other side and need independent legal advice before signing.
An agreement that doesn’t hold up is worse than no agreement at all. Every agreement we produce is structured to meet BC’s enforceability requirements — drafted by a lawyer who understands what actually causes these agreements to be set aside.
Pre-relationship property, inheritances, and gifts can remain excluded from family property — but only if the agreement is properly structured and documented from the start.
Real estate, investments, RRSPs, business interests, and joint debt — couples can contract out of the default Family Law Act rules and set their own terms.
Agreements can address entitlement, quantum, and duration of spousal support — including provisions that limit or waive support in defined circumstances.
Founders, shareholders, and business owners can protect equity from family property claims — a common and often critical provision in agreements we draft.
We provide ILA and ILA certificates for clients presented with an agreement by the other side — ensuring they understand what they are agreeing to before signing.
Full and accurate financial disclosure is a prerequisite for an enforceable agreement. We guide clients through exactly what is required and how to document it properly.
How it works
We review your situation, discuss what you want the agreement to achieve, and explain how BC law applies to your specific circumstances.
We prepare a tailored draft that reflects your assets, goals, and the enforceability requirements under the Family Law Act — no templates.
Both parties complete financial disclosure, review the agreement with independent legal advice, and sign a binding agreement before the relationship changes.
Book a consultation
Most couples find that a single conversation is all it takes to get clarity. Book a confidential consultation with a Vancouver family lawyer to discuss your marriage or cohabitation agreement — we'll explain your options under BC law, what the agreement can cover, and what to expect from the process.
Book a Consultation