How Long Will the Process Take?

There is no fixed timeline. How long a matter takes depends on how complex the issues are, how many people are involved, whether important facts are disputed, and how willing the other side is to negotiate. A matter that settles early can finish in a few months. A contested file that runs to trial in the Supreme Court of British Columbia often takes a year or more, in part because trial dates are scheduled well in advance.

Much of the wait comes from the court’s schedule rather than the work on your file. Available trial dates in the Supreme Court are often booked many months out, and each contested application along the way needs its own hearing date. Steps such as exchanging documents, examinations for discovery, and obtaining expert reports also take time, and both sides have deadlines to meet under the Supreme Court Family Rules or the Civil Rules.

Usually. Most matters resolve before trial, through negotiation, mediation, or a settlement conference, and reaching agreement almost always shortens the timeline and lowers the cost. A matter can settle at nearly any stage, including after a claim is filed but before a hearing.

Gathering your financial records and key documents early, responding to requests without long delays, and being clear about what you want all help. Deadlines for disclosure and for filing certain claims are set by the court rules and, for some claims, by statute, so acting promptly protects your position and avoids adjournments that push the file back in the queue.