Report on Recognition of Spousal and Family Status

British Columbia Law Institute Report, No. 5, 1998

301 Pages Posted: 23 Jun 2009

Date Written: November 1, 1998

Abstract

The Attorney General for British Columbia asked the British Columbia Law Institute to review the statute law of British Columbia and make recommendations for legislative changes necessary to provide legal recognition to the variety of family relationships in the province, and to address the rights and obligations that should attach to those relationships. The request from the attorney general followed amendments made by the legislature to the Family Relations Act in 1997, which recognized certain marriage-like relationships. After examination of provincial statutes across Canada, the Institute concluded that in many cases they draw unsustainable distinctions between persons who are married, and those of the same or opposite sex who live in non traditional marriage like relationships. The same is true of distinctions between conventional families, and non-relatives who choose to live together as a family. This report contains a number of proposals that attempt to eliminate these distinctions and provide greater legislative recognition of a variety of family relationships.

Keywords: family law, marriage, common law marriage, divorce, separation, support, gays, lesbians, transsexuals, bisexuals, spousal status, family status, gay couples, unmarried couples

Suggested Citation

Law Institute, British Columbia, Report on Recognition of Spousal and Family Status (November 1, 1998). British Columbia Law Institute Report, No. 5, 1998, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1423881

British Columbia Law Institute (Contact Author)

British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI) ( email )

1822 East Mall
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Y1
Canada

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