Murder trials are one thing; custody battles are tougher -- each custody trial has its own dynamic. The focus must always be what is best for the child. The test is not what is best for either parent. Of greatest import is the relationship dynamic between each parent and the child. In most high-conflict custody cases, the family dynamic that prevailed in the home before separation finds its way into the courtroom. How the parties argued during the relationship, how the parties implicitly negotiated their marital and relationship roles, or how the parties raised and interacted with their child(ren) are all factors that find their way into the courtroom. Not surprisingly, courts are presented with two different movies, so to speak. Political correctness has no part in what is best for children.

1. M u r d e r T r i a l s a r e To u g h ,
C u s t o d y B a t t l e s a r e To u g h e r .
Custody Battles

2. The information in this presentation is general information
and does not constitute legal advice.
Every situation is unique.
We strongly advise that you consult a lawyer
to provide legal advice.
I m p o r t a n t D i s c l a i m e r

3. 1 . H i g h - C o n f l i c t C u s t o d y B a t t l e s
a. Child(ren)’s Best Interests
2 . C u s t o d y T r i a l s
a. Custody & Access Reports
b. The New BC Family Law Act (FLA)
c. Cases of Family Violence
3 . 4 C o m m o n T y p e s o f P a r e n t - C h i l d D i s p u t e s
a. Both Parents Want to Maximize Time & Role With Child(ren)
b. A Parent Wants No Involvement of the Other Parent
c. A Parent Has A Bona Fide Need to Move
d. A Parent Has A Poor Relationship with The Child(ren)
4 . S u m m a r y
C u s t o d y B a t t l e s O v e r v i e w

4. High-Conflict Custody Battles

5. T h e r e l a t i o n s h i p d y n a m i c b e t w e e n e a c h p a r e n t a n d
t h e c h i l d i s o f g r e a t e s t i m p o r t a n c e .
The Divorce Act & the Family Law Act (FLA) encourage each parent to have
as much contact as possible, as long as it is in the child’s best interest.
When parents cannot achieve the type of positive relationship desired, they can
become raw, explosive battles.
H i g h - C o n f l i c t C u s t o d y B a t t l e s

6. F a c t o r s C o n s i d e r e d :
§ Prevailing family dynamic before separation
§ How parties argued during relationship
§ How parties implicitly negotiated marital &
relationship roles
§ How parties raised & interacted with
child(ren)
§ Relationship dynamic between each parent &
child(ren)
§ The child’s best interests
H i g h - C o n f l i c t C u s t o d y B a t t l e s
F a c t o r s N o t C o n s i d e r e d :
§ What is best for either parent
§ Political correctness

7. C h i l d r e n d o b e s t w h e n t h e y c a n :
§ Have a good relationship with both parents;
§ Show love & affection to both parents without fear of rebuke by either one;
§ Spend good quality time with each parent;
§ Benefit from each parent’s view on education, activities, and life choices;
§ See each parent respect the other despite the separation.
C h i l d ( r e n ) ’ s B e s t I n t e r e s t s

8. Custody Trials

9. A l s o k n o w n a s “ S e c t i o n 2 1 1 R e p o r t s , ” C u s t o d y a n d
A c c e s s R e p o r t s a r e t o r e v i e w :
§ Relationship between each parent & child
§ Each parent’s ability to positively impact the child
C u s t o d y & A c c e s s R e p o r t s
Report is created; it
can be used to settle
file or Trial.
Section 211 Author
Recommends parenting
arrangement.
Trial Judge makes
ultimate decision.

10. P a r t i e s m u s t a t t e n d a J u d i c i a l C a s e C o n f e r e n c e ( J C C )
b e f o r e t h e y c a n a t t e n d c o u r t a n d e x c h a n g e
p o t e n t i a l l y d a m a g i n g a f f i d a v i t s . A l t e r n a t e D i s p u t e
M e c h a n i s m s m a y b e r e c o m m e n d e d * :
§ Mediation
§ Judicial Settlement Conferences
§ Arbitration
* Unless unequal bargaining power existed between the spouses (e.g. history of Family Violence).
Lawyers & Mediators are obligated to screen for Family Violence.
B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a
F a m i l y L a w A c t

11. F a m i l y V i o l e n c e h i s t o r y n e e d s t o b e k n o w n &
a p p r e c i a t e d b e f o r e e n t e r i n g n e g o t i a t i o n ,
m e d i a t i o n , o r T r i a l .
Family Violence could include more than physical violence:
§ Physical or sexual assault, threats, or harm;
§ Harmful financial, emotional, or verbal statements, threats, or actions;
§ Psychological intimidation or controlling behavior.
Parties should seek and obtain Protection Orders.
See publication Family Law in B.C. for summary of included offenses.
C a s e s o f F a m i l y V i o l e n c e

12. 4 Common Types of
Parent-Child Disputes

13. H o w p a r e n t s s e e t h e i r r o l e a n d r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h
e a c h o t h e r a n d w i t h t h e c h i l d r e n a t t h e e n d o f
t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p w i l l d e t e r m i n e h o w t h e C u s t o d y
p r o c e s s w i l l m o v e f o r w a r d .
4 C o m m o n T y p e s o f
P a r e n t - C h i l d D i s p u t e s

14. C o n f l i c t :
Two capable parents both try to maximize their time and role with the children. Each has good
relationship with children.
C r i t i c a l F a c t o r s :
The ability of each parent to facilitate parenting time with the other parent.
1 . B o t h P a r e n t s W a n t t o M a x i m i z e
T i m e & R o l e W i t h C h i l d ( r e n )

15. P o s s i b l e C o n f l i c t S c e n a r i o s :
§ Parents had a short relationship;
§ Parents did not live together at the time of the child(ren)’s birth(s);
§ One parent wants to increase time with children only after separation;
§ One parent falsely claims that the other does not have good parenting skills.
C r i t i c a l F a c t o r s :
Where the other parent objects, a custody trial will likely result.
2 . O n e P a r e n t W a n t s
N o I n v o l v e m e n t o f t h e O t h e r P a r e n t

16. C o n f l i c t :
One parent may have a bona fide need to move away from the area that the family lived in during marriage,
but the two parents cannot agree. The parent wishing to move must provide notice of the intended move.
C r i t i c a l F a c t o r s :
Court determines which parent is preferred for raising the children. The parent wishing to move should
not do so before the court grants permission.
For more information, refer to “Mobility Cases,” FLA sections 65 – 71.
3 . O n e P a r e n t h a s a
B o n a F i d e N e e d t o M o v e

17. P o t e n t i a l C o n f l i c t S c e n a r i o s :
§ “Parental Alienation” - one parent claims the other caused the alienation
§ “Justified Rejection” - parent with poor relationship caused the rejection
C r i t i c a l F a c t o r s :
There are numerous dynamics and possibilities. Reviewing your background with your lawyer is extremely
important. The work done soon after separation will impact preparation for trial.
4 . O n e P a r e n t h a s a
P o o r R e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h C h i l d ( r e n )

18. Summary

19. 1. Focus always on what is best for the child(ren).
2. Both parents should have as much contact with child as possible, as long as it is in the child’s
best interests.
3. Section 211 Reports can be used to settle your file or Trial.
4. Parties must attend a JCC before attending court.
5. The new FLA emphasizes Alternate Dispute Mechanisms, unless there is history of Family
Violence.
6. Four types of parent-parent & parent-child conflict scenarios are discussed.
7. Consult your lawyer soon after separation. Your decisions & actions will impact trial preparation &
results.
S u m m a r y

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