Is It Worth It?
Onyx Law Group · Vancouver, British Columbia
Deciding whether to pursue a family law matter is partly a legal question and partly a practical one. Beyond who is likely to succeed, there is the business case: the expected cost of a given path set against the outcome you can realistically reach, and the risks that come with going to court. It is a personal calculation, and the right answer looks different for everyone.
A good lawyer helps you make that call with clear eyes. As your matter moves along, you should expect honest advice about likely outcomes and a frank discussion of costs against risks, so the decision to keep going, or to settle, stays yours to make.
Full transcript
Communication with your own lawyer about costs is essential. As the matter proceeds, we will give you our best advice about likely outcomes if we go to court for you. We will always help you assess the business case in your matter so that you can make an informed decision on whether the expected costs versus the risks of proceeding along a particular path are worth it to you. Get in touch with us today to start the process, and we’ll be happy to answer any additional questions. Thank you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decide whether pursuing a family law matter is worth it?
The decision is part legal and part practical. Alongside who is likely to succeed on the law, there is the question of the expected cost of a path measured against the outcome you can realistically reach and the risks of going to court. It is a personal calculation, and the answer is different for each person and each family.
What is proportionality and why does it matter?
Proportionality is a principle in the Supreme Court Family Rules that says the effort and expense put into a case should match what is genuinely at stake. A judge, and a sensible lawyer, will weigh whether the cost and time of a step are justified by the amount or the issue in dispute. It is a useful check against spending more to fight over something than the something is worth.
Can going to court cost me more than money?
It can. Litigation takes time and emotional energy, and in family matters it can strain co-parenting relationships that have to continue for years. These are real costs that sit alongside legal fees, and they belong in any honest decision about whether and how far to pursue a claim.
How can a settlement offer affect the decision?
A formal offer to settle can carry costs consequences. Under the Supreme Court Family Rules, if you turn down a reasonable offer and then do no better at trial, the court can order you to pay some of the other side’s costs from the date of the offer. That risk is one reason to weigh settlement seriously rather than pressing on to a hearing.
Onyx Law Group represents clients in family law throughout British Columbia, estate and trust litigation, estate planning and probate matters. Consult with our experienced BC team at
(604) 900-2538