Alison McMeans

First Year of Call
2016

Areas of Practice
Family Law

Description
Alison McMeans knows that separation and divorce can be chaotic. It is her goal to see you walk out of her office for the last time with a plan for your family that you designed. With a focus on realistic solutions and a thoughtful approach to problems, her seasoned advice helps guide clients into a future that is much better than the one they are leaving behind.

You know your own family best, which is why Alison begins by aiming for an out-of-court resolution for her clients through negotiation, mediation, or a collaborative law process. This allows parents to craft their own detailed plans for the rules their family will follow, and lets parties reach property settlements that reflect how the finances worked in their unique partnership.

A considered approach to the negotiation process means that clients are often pleasantly surprised when they are able to reach agreement with their formerly stubborn, unrealistic, and inflexible spouse.

However, this is not always possible. As an experienced litigator, Alison is able to determine whether a matter requires judicial intervention and is able to act decisively to secure her client’s interests, including any property which may be at issue. Although court is sometimes unavoidable, she uses strategies to prevent the parties from becoming enmeshed in litigation and leaves the door open for continued negotiation throughout the process. This approach has saved her clients the time, stress and legal fees that can result in a rush to trial.

Alison advises her clients on all areas of family law, such as property division, spousal support, child support, guardianship, and parenting time. Complications regarding businesses, investments, properties, or inheritances often require special attention to the parties’ unique financial situation. When the parties are able to reach a resolution, she prepares detailed separation and cohabitation agreements drafted to protect a client’s interests.

In 2005, Alison graduated from the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. She was a journalist based in the United Arab Emirates for a number of years before returning to Canada and working at a mid-sized law firm on Vancouver Island. She has been a member of the Law Society of British Columbia since 2016. She has substantial experience in family law, appearing as counsel in cases before the Provincial and the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Alison enjoys travelling and reading. In her free time, she can often be found cooking with her daughter or taking long walks with her dog.