John D. Nelson – $450.00/hour.
Raymond G. Dieno – $450.00/hour.
Stephanie A. Weidmann – $275.00/hour.
- Divorce
- Property division
- Child custody
- Parenting arrangements
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Business asset division and protection
- Debt division
- Complex financial structures division and protection
Yes! John D. Nelson is a certified mediator who is skilled at dispute resolution in all areas of law. If you need an impartial professional to guide you and the other party through to an agreement, then he is a great fit. The process is tailored to your needs.
Complex financial matters often include the following to be divided and protected.
- One or more corporations or businesses
- One or more real estate holdings
- International assets
- Significant investment assets
- Pensions
- Debt management for lines of credit, credit cards and loans
- Assets such as boats or cars
- Collectibles of worth like artwork or antiques
- Evaluations of businesses, assets and pensions
Yes, our team is very familiar with family law agreements of all types. Our experience will streamline the process and help you get the outcome that you want. We can assist with drafting, negotiating, reviewing, advising and finalizing your separation agreement. This process is tailored to your specific needs.
We have extensive experience with families who have international components to their fact pattern.
Some examples of these issues include:
- Children being moved out of the country without proper process and
disagreements about territorial jurisdiction (which country’s laws should apply) - Child abduction and Hague Convention considerations
- Overseas asset division
- Corporations registered outside of Canada
- Income being generated in foreign funds
- Expert evidence from outside of Canada
- Enforcement of agreements made in other countries
- Parenting plans that include international travel
Absolutely yes. Many of our clients are business owners themselves or have beneficial rights to a business.
Business owners have unique considerations when navigating divorce. Some of these include:
- Protecting business relationships such as employees, partners or investors
- Maintaining privacy by not having published judgements
- Focusing on alternate dispute resolution options to reduce the amount of time it takes to have a finalized agreement
- Assets held within a corporation
- Evaluations of businesses
- Tax considerations for dividing assets
- Determining income for support purposes
- Maintaining business operations during tumultuous times
These sensitive files require extra diligence and care. All decisions and steps are viewed through a lens of safety for our clients and their children.
Unfortunately, our BC Courts are challenging places to navigate trauma, abuse and violence, but they are often the only tool available to families to seek relief.
Whether our clients are defending against false allegations or are experiencing abuse themselves, these files require a gentle touch and a clear strategic legal plan.
No, our lawyers are busy people, and they believe that their time and advice is valuable. Our firm charges for initial consultations at the lawyer’s usual hourly rate.
Yes, we have all the technology required to do mediation sessions over video. Our clients are often located in other parts of the province and being able to access mediation services remotely is important for them to access the justice that they deserve.
Mediations are held in the large firm boardroom. There are 8 chairs and a large table, a TV screen, whiteboards and snacks. In addition, each party is assigned a private space to spread out their personal items and to seek advice from their lawyer or just be alone for a time.
Shuttle mediation is where the parties remain in their assigned private spaces and only the mediator goes back and forth, this can be very helpful for clients who are afraid of the other party, struggle to contain their emotions or simply do not want to be in the same room as the other party.
Our lawyers and legal team charge for their time in increments of 6 minutes (0.1 of an hour).
The terms of service are all laid out in our retainer agreement.
Legal services are provided based on your instructions and your priorities. You are in control of what work is done on your behalf and what services you can afford.
Areas of Focus
Family law
Swiftsure Law in Victoria has a proven track record of achieving positive results for its clients both inside and outside of the courtroom. Careful planning and a crafted strategic presentation win the day.
Divorce & separation
A separation agreement is a legally-binding document that is filed with, and fully enforceable by, the court. While you may be motivated to resolve your divorce or separation quickly, agreeing to something that hurts you can have costs that far outweigh the benefits of a speedy resolution.
Mediation
A mediator is a neutral facilitator who builds consensus between parties and then documents their agreement. Separation agreements made at mediations are legally binding and when filed with the court, are enforceable like a court order. A mediator neither gives legal advice nor makes the decisions for you. Mediation is a confidential process where a decision is made by the parties instead of being imposed upon you.
Criminal law
As a seasoned criminal law practitioner, our senior lawyer Raymond G. Dieno brings a wealth of experience and a steadfast commitment to defending your rights. We provide a comprehensive range of legal services to navigate the complexities of the Canadian criminal justice system. Our dedicated team is here to ensure you receive the best possible defense, regardless of the charges you face.
A Legal Center of Excellence
We are a family owned and operated office and are driven by the values of:
- Responsiveness
- Strategy
- Strength
- Experience
