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Children & Parenting

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Let's talk about children and parenting. When a family separates, the children feel it first.

They may not have the words for what they are going through. But they are watching, absorbing, and adjusting, often in ways that do not show up right away. That is why, at Pathway Legal, everything we do on the parenting side of family law starts and ends with one question: what is best for the kids?

British Columbia family law puts children at the centre. It is not about who “wins” custody. It is not about which parent deserves more time. It is about building a parenting structure that helps your children feel safe, loved, and secure, even as everything around them changes.

We know that it is easier said than done. We also know you can get there.

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What We Cover: A plain-language guide to parenting law in BC

  • Child custody

Custody refers to the legal right to make major decisions about your child’s life: where they go to school, what medical care they receive, and what values and activities shape their upbringing. It also refers to who the child lives with, and when.

BC law now uses language like “parenting time” and “decision-making responsibility” under the Family Law Act, but many people still use the word “custody.” We explain what the terminology means, how it is determined, and what your options are. 

  • Child support

Child support is not optional, and it is not punishment. It is a legal obligation that exists because children deserve financial stability from both parents, regardless of the state of the adult relationship.

In BC, child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines, based primarily on the paying parent’s income and the number of children. We walk you through how the numbers work, what “special expenses” (Section 7 expenses) means, and what happens when incomes change.

Discover more about child support in BC.

  • Parenting plans

A parenting plan is the document that maps out how you and the other parent will raise your children after separation. It covers day-to-day schedules, holidays, school breaks, decision-making, and communication between households. Often, a parenting plan will also include what to do if you disagree about an important decision.

A good parenting plan does not just solve the problems in front of you right now. It anticipates the ones coming around the corner. We help families build plans that are specific enough to prevent conflict and flexible enough to grow with the kids.

Discover more about parenting plans in BC.

  • Getting custody of a child

If you are concerned about your child’s safety or stability with the other parent, or if you are navigating a custody dispute for the first time, you likely have a lot of questions. What do you need to show? What does the process look like? How long will it take?

We walk through the legal framework for how custody is determined in BC, what factors the courts consider, and what steps you can take to protect your child’s best interests.

Discover more about getting Custody of a Child in BC.

  • Divorce and fathers’ rights

Contrary to what people sometimes think, family law does not favour mothers over fathers. The law is clear on this. But the reality is that some fathers feel sidelined in the process, unsure of where they stand or how to advocate for meaningful time with their children.

We address the legal rights and responsibilities that apply to all parents, and we speak specifically to the experience many dads have navigating a system that can feel unfamiliar. A meaningful relationship with both parents is almost always in a child’s best interest. We help make that happen.

Discover more about divorce and fathers' rights in B.C

You do not have to figure this out alone. Parenting after separation is one of the hardest things a family can do. It requires two adults who may be hurting, frustrated, or exhausted to keep choosing the children first, day after day.