48 - Sunday, November 24, 1991 — urea a rae North Shore News LIFESTYLES Questions and answers on family affairs I HAVE been fiving common-law with Jack for the last five years in the home that my former husband transferred to me on my marital breakup from him. Jack says that he is leaving me and wants 50% of the value of the home to which he says ke is en- titled because of the Family Rela- tons Act of British Columbia. Signed CONCERNED : Part 3 of the Family Relations Act which deals with the owner- ship and division of property be- tween parties only applies to mar- ried couples. However, he might have some rights by virtue of trust law depending on the cir- cumstances. ~ _ My wife’s son has Lived with us ’ for three years and has sow mov- ed to his father’s apustsaent. - _ . His father, who is unemployed, ‘wants me to pay maintenance for his son. I am the only income : earmer in the family as my wife remains .at home with the two- "children of our mastiage. -. + Is he entitled to maintenance - for a child when his mother is not workisg and 1 am the only bread ’ winner? . ' Signed . - no ~UNWILLING | _) 1, Nou..are. personally responsible - for the: maintenance and support -of,the child pursuant to the provi- sions of the Family Relations Act. . That. act defines. parent as a person, who. contributes to the support and: maintenance of a child for not less than one year: - In. all probability the father could prove if the matter proceed- ed-to court that you have sup- ported the child. financially in some way. The Divorce Act places a simi- lar responsibility on step-parents. [ inherited most of the furnitvre OPTIONS THE FOLLOWING is a selection of many volunteer opportunities available from North Shore Community Services (NSCS). SENSITIVE women are wanted to be trained as telephone counsellors to give support ‘to women suffering from post- ‘partem depression. Telephoning is done from your home and the ’ hours ‘are flexible. Training and orientation are provided. ENFHYSIASTIC animal lovers are needed by the Humane Society to house sma!l animals used in schocl programs, to help with. publicity of the Humane Society and io assist with the development of various ‘programs. The hours are flexible and orientation is provided. - ; A BOARD member with knowledge and interest in special needs children is. wanted to par- - ticipate in the policy development of a special needs pre-school, assist with public relations and - fluent By Hugh Stark and Kirstie Maclise im our apartment six years ago. I can no longer stand to live with my husband and want to leave. He says the furniture, which is our major assei, is half his. Is this CONFUSED As long as the furniture was ordinarily used by both of you it is a family asset and subject to equal division. If you went. to court it. may “well divide the fur- niture unévenly because it was in- herited by you. . ‘My wife and I separated six months ago and I would like a divarce so that I can remarry. I’m afraid that if 1 claim as.one of my grounds for divorce that she has committed adultery it will - only infariate her and cause an expensive legai fight. 4s there another al‘ernative? Signed : AFRAID You are able to proceed with ‘the divorce based on a one-year separation before the one-year period has expired. . The divorce, however, will not be granted until after the expira- tion of the one-year period. If you start the proceedings now it. may. be possible to obtain the final order of divorce within a -few weeks of the-expiration of the one-year period. You should be careful, howev- er, tc consider your legal position. On the granting of the divorce order your wife will have a one- half interest in all of the family assets in your name. My wife and I are talking about getting a legal separation without the involvement of lawyers. | am going to give her my interest in the home and she is going to release me from any claim she may have for msintenance and for any claims she may have on my business. How should I proceed? Signed PEACEFUL For all practical purposes there is no such thing as legal separa- tion. You are able, however, to enter into a separation agreement which is simply an agreement be- tween two parties. ~ : No. one can be forced into the signing of the agreement. The other alternative of course is to proceed to: court and have questions of custody, maintenance and property division: determined by a judge. . . -. If it is an agreement you wish, then. for a greater likelihood of ‘it being binding ‘you. “must both receive ‘independent legal ‘advice after having disclosed’ all of your assets, income and. liabilities to your spouse. ; . If you proceed ctherwise, you - may find a court quite willing to vary or set aside the agreement at a future date with .a significant negative impact on’ your financial well-being. . My husbsud and I. signed a separation agreement one year ago. Each of us was advised by our own lawyers and £ believe that each of us disclosed al} of our assets and liabilizies. 1 now feel, however, that the division of proprty between. us was unfair. What can 1 do? take minutes at the board meetings. AN GUTGOING, imaginative’ person is wanted to participate in expicring sensitive issues (suicide, - drugs, .depression) through dramatic role playing to various ‘groups of youths, seniors and the general. public. The program in- volves a seven-minute role play and staying in character during ‘the audience question period. Training is provided. INTERPRETERS who are in Vietnamese, Arabic, Greek, Hindi, Punjabi, French, Cantonese, Polish, Russian and Burmese who also speak English well, are needed to interpret for clients at various medical and social service appointments. The hours are flexible. TOUR guides are needed to dress in heritage costumes and escort groups of elementary school children or tours of a. heritage village from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during week days. If you are interested in volun- teering call 985-7138. NSCS is a member agency of the United Way. Signed TRICKED You can have a court review the property division io determine if it was fair in your particular cir- cumstances pursuant to the Family Relations Act. acs The questions and answers given in this column are for gen- eral information only. If you have matrimonial prob- \4 lems you should seek legal advice t (4 so that your advisor can fully assess your particular cir- cumstances and give you the best advice. PARTICIFSLTRN NOTICE OF CLOSURE —_ NORTH SHORE WASTE TRANSFER STATION 30 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, NORTH VANCOUVER The Greater Vancouver Regional District advises that the waste transier station at 30 Riverside Drive, North Vancouver will be clos- ed-on the dates listed below in order to conduct major building repairs. . : - Friday, December 20th, 189% _ Saturday, December 2ist, 1891 Sunday, December 22nd, 1S¢t . fonday, Becember 23rd, 196t Tuesday, Dacamber 24th, 1997" Wednesday, December 25th, 1861 During the closure, commercial and residential wastes may be disposed of at the Coquitlam Resource Recovery Piant (521-1715), and commercial wastes may be. disposed: of at the Burnaby in- @ cinerator (521-1025) if prior arrangements have been made. All waste | taken to the alternate facilities will be charged.at $69/tonne. GVAD Solid Waste Dept. 436-6800 ou make it a home, We'll make it a showplace And in Time for Christmas. soy Save up to. SO, | On Popular La Barge Mirrors and Tables a All Occasional Pieces are Solid Brass. Most glass is 5/8” thick. § ‘ Most with 1 inch Bevel or Ogee Edge. Many other styles on Sale. 5 9995 ’ 267268"x17" high * : Oval 4" beveled glass top | : 222722" igh End. Table Reg. $1299.00 sae 564900 Even the Price is Beautiful Ova! Cocktail Reg. $1999.95 Sate POU . ome and expiors Putman Creek, Siiver Star Mountain Resort's dramatic new Valiey of Adventure. . on ot N 23 new, predominantly expert and Ch . : C . intermediate runs accessed by Canada’s tusimas is Coming longest high-speed quad chairlift. Santa has already paid us a few visits. He bought several ‘quality Antiques & leftus with a list of gifts he still needs. Santa’s wish list includes: Stezling Silver, Lalique, Galle, Hummels, Royal Doulton, Diamond & Antique Jewellery, Bronze Statues & More. Open 7 days a week 926-7710 1730 MARINE DR., WEST VANCOUVER ANTIQUES: The 38 existing runs on our Mountain of Fun ore also accessed by « new high- speed quad chairlift. 5 nights accommodation 3 AND 5 days skiing from $24 (Based on Quad Occupancy — value season) 1877-B 28"x40" overall : Brass Tea Wagon Large GoldLeaf Reg. $2799.95 Sale $1399 Burnaby, BC. 435-5566 4240 Manor SILVER STAR MOUNTAIN Beveled Mirror Reg. $1099.95 Downtown § Vancouver, BC. P.O, Box 2, Silver Star Mountain, B.C. YOE 1G0 : (604) 542-0224 / Fox: (604) 542-1236 THOMASVILLE GALLERY 1080 Maintand 1-806-663-4431 thee (Cenedao Enotes USA) OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK . ~ sue $5.49 fl , CirlGas (685-8414 |