This webinar is co-hosted by the BC Law Institute & CBABC.

When pensions are in play, small missteps can have big consequences. This session equips family lawyers with practical insight into BCLI's updated Questions and Answers about Pension Division on the Breakdown of a Relationship in British Columbia, revised to reflect Bill 17 and key changes to the Family Law Act.

What happens to a pension after separation can affect a family's financial security for decades.

Lawyers with expertise in pension divisons as a result of relationship breakdowns, Beatrice C. McCutcheon and Colin Galinski, examine the practical applications of the guide to help ask the right questions early and avoid common pitfalls when dealing with pension plans.

Gain confidence and efficiency in files involving pension division.

Bea McCutcheon practices exclusively in the area of family law.  Her practice focuses on negotiating and drafting agreements, as well as advising on and drafting pension division documents.  Bea advises both counsel and parties about the division of pensions on marriage breakdown and drafts pension division terms to be included in orders and agreements.  She also assists with the negotiation and drafting of agreements, both prior to cohabitation or marriage and after separation. Bea is a frequent presenter and author in these areas.  She is a member of the Editorial Board for the CLEBC Family Law Agreements Annotated Precedents and assisted the British Columbia Law Institute in the preparation of  Questions and Answers about Pension Division on the Breakdown of a Relationship in British Columbia. 

Colin Galinski is a trusted legal advisor to pension plan boards of trustees, sponsors, and administrators. With over two decades of experience in pension and benefits law, Colin focuses on governance, fiduciary responsibility, and regulatory compliance — helping clients navigate the complex pension & benefit plan landscape with clarity and confidence. Colin provides strategic legal advice to multi-employer pension and benefit plans, jointly trusteed plans, and other retirement arrangements. His work supports the long-term sustainability of these plans, ensuring they meet their commitments to members while complying with evolving legislative and regulatory requirements.
 
In addition to his work with pension plans, is frequently retained by family lawyers, mediators, and individuals to draft and implement pension division arrangements, bringing precision and care to these sensitive matters. He is the Past Chair of the Pension and Benefits Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch), has served as Chair of the British Columbia Law Institute’s project committee on pension division legislation, and regularly contributes to legal education through writing and speaking engagements.