DAVE GRANT shows off an award presented to him by Andrew Van Slee of North Vancouver's ATV dios. Trophies were presented to aspiring actors during an Extra Personalities NEWS photo Cindy Goodman Stu Awards Night at the North Shore Winter Club last week in recognition of their contribution to the film industry. Friel HELP’S AT Hand, a weekly feature by the North Shore Infor- mation and Volunteer Centre, an- swers questions about and discusses such topics as govern- ment policies and programs, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public ser- vices. Answers published in this col- umn are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to specific individual cases without further consultation. ake Question: My husband and I have recently separated after only two years of marriage. We both agreed that our mar- riage simply was not going to work out and that the best thing for both of us was to forget it and start fresh. Tam anxious to get divoreed and get on with my life. Please could you tell me what grounds there are for divorce? Answer: Before you have the right to a divorce you have to meet cer- tain requirements which are con- tained in the Divorce Act. You cannot obtain a divorce just because you and your spouse don’t get along any more. Under the Divorce Act, 1985, there is only one ground for divorce and that is marriage breakdown. You can_ establish marriage breakdown in any one of three very specific situations. e You and your spouse must have lived separate and apart for at least one year immediately prior to the divorce order being granted, and you must have been living separate and apart at the time the divorce action was started. Under this section of the act, it doesn’t matter whose “fault” it) was that the two of you separated, or which one of you left the other. or, e Your spouse must have com- mitted adultery. or, © Your spouse has treated you with physical or mental cruelty. His behavior in this case must have been a serious departure trom normal behavior. In other words, more than just incompatibility. The majority of people in B.C. obtain divorce by establishing thar they have fulfilled the require- ments for having lived separate and apart for one year. They often take this route because it is the eas- iest. {f you are trying to establish that your spouse has committed adultery, or has treated you with physical or mental cruelty. remember that you have to prove it. You might also bear in mind that you are opening the door to p's at hand your spouse contesting the divorce. A contested divorce can be a lengthy and expensive procedure. tee The North Shore Information and Volunteer Centre, a United Way agency, is located at 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North Vancouver, B.C. V7P IM3, telephone 985- 7138. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. YOUR CAR COULD “PANIC IN A CRISIS” Prepare Now for a Safe and Happy New Year Complete 4 Wheel Brake Job ° Replace Brake Shoes e Resurface Drums * Replace Disc Pads * Top Up Brake Fluid e Machine Rotors e Repack Bearings e Adjust Brakes « Road Test {most cars) cono Brake, Minute Murrrer & TRANSMISSIONS 984-9581 OPEN MON. to SAT. 8:30am-5:00pm 860 W. 15TH ST. NORTH VAN. ALSO SEE GUR 2ND LOCATION AT: 2639 KINGSWAY, VANCOUVER, 436-1633 35 - sunday, 1950 - North Shore ‘ews WEST VANCOUVER DENTURE CLINIC For your comfort, confiden We excelina full range « NEW DENTURES * RELINES © REPAIRS Please cali us tor a tree consultancon 922-9444 February 4. THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER FLUSHING OF WATER MAINS NOTICE The Municipal Water Department will commence its annual program of flushing of water mains on February 5/1990 through to May 18/1990. This may result in the water supply showing sediment. The sediment is bacterially harmless, but the water will show some discolouration that may affect some com- mercial undertakings. B.Lambert, P. Eng. Director of Operations ‘4732 8-lite pendant widown lite. Width:. Length: Body 16%", 8-25 wait candelabra, 18 ‘ chain. and canopy, Finish: Solid ‘polished - eveled, clear and WHOLESALE AND RETAIL FREE CATALOGUES AVAILABLE HELP STOP THEFT FROM AUTOS. PROTECT YOURSELF. JICBC AND YOUR LOCAL POLICE.