When couples separate, one of the most common questions is:

“Who keeps what, and how do we make this fair?”

In British Columbia, property division is governed by the Family Law Act. The starting point under the law is that most property and debt acquired during the relationship is shared equally, even if it is registered in only one person’s name.

But equal division does not mean physically cutting every asset in half. Instead, the law allows couples to divide property in a practical and efficient way, often through what is called an equalization payment.

Under the Family Law Act, what is divided is not just assets, and not just debts, but the net family property. Total Assets minus Total Debts (having regard to exclusions).

What remains is the net amount that is generally divided equally. This approach ensures that both spouses share fairly in what was built during the relationship, while also sharing responsibility for debts.

An equalization payment is a one-time payment from one spouse to the other to ensure that each person leaves the relationship with an equal share of the net family property.

Instead of dividing every individual asset 50/50, Divii will help you:

It is clean, efficient, and the most common way property division is resolved in British Columbia.

At the beginning of negotiations, couples often think in terms of small, individual trades:

• I’ll keep my car, you keep yours
• Let’s split the bank accounts
• I’ll pay you for half the house

But when you calculate the overall equalization payment, you gain flexibility. Instead of negotiating each asset in isolation, you can make strategic decisions across the whole picture. For example:

• One spouse keeps the house
• The other keeps more retirement savings
• One spouse takes on more debt
• A single payment balances everything

When everything is calculated together, it creates leverage and room to structure a settlement that works practically for both of you.

Divii follows the same framework that lawyers and courts use under the Family Law Act. Here is the general approach:

This gives you a clear, transparent number that reflects the entire financial picture.

This method works because:

• You do not need to divide every single item
• You can make personalized decisions about what matters most
• It supports cleaner and faster agreements
• It aligns with the principles set out in the Family Law Act
• It mirrors how courts and lawyers typically resolve property division

Most importantly, it reduces emotional bargaining over individual items and focuses on fairness in the overall outcome.

While equal division is the starting point under the Family Law Act, spouses can agree to a different division if they both believe it is fair.

In rare cases, a court may order an unequal division if equal division would be significantly unfair. However, the vast majority property divisions are resolved through equalization because it provides clarity and predictability.

Dividing property is not about splitting every item in half. It is about ensuring that both spouses leave the relationship with an equal share of what was built during the partnership.

An equalization payment allows you to reach that fairness efficiently, strategically, and with less disruption.

Divii handles the heavy lifting behind the scenes and gives you full transparency into how the numbers are calculated. That clarity helps you negotiate confidently and make informed decisions.

As always, it is important to review your calculations and overall financial goals with your lawyer to ensure you understand your rights under the Family Law Act and that your Separation Agreement reflects a fair and durable resolution.