Darnell K. Smith

Co-habitation and pre-nuptial agreements
Separation Agreements
Divorce
Family Property and debt arrangements
Adoptions
Spousal support
Child support
He also has considerable experience with family and business property division.

Each family is unique and Darnell strives to tailor his advice and strategic solutions to the particular circumstances of each client and their children. For many family law clients, it’s important that their thoughts and opinions be heard. Darnell helps ensure his clients have a voice in the process. In particular, Darnell can help to ensure that the client’s interests are well protected against potential manipulation and positioning by the other side.

Typically, his clients are unfamiliar with this area of law. For this reason, Darnell strives to educate clients on the process options available to them such as mediation, negotiation, and if necessary, litigation so that together they can develop the best strategy to meet that client’s needs.
Darnell has years of experience as a lawyer, negotiating and advocating for clients’ rights in and out of court. He has even conducted several lengthy jury trials which is atypical for his years of experience. On his call to the bar, he worked with a range of law firms in the Fraser Valley before joining South Coast Law Group in 2019.

His court experience is considerable and varied. It ranges from estate litigation, 7-figure negligence litigation and application to the court of appeal. He is able to bring this extensive court experience to bear when fighting for his family law clients.

That said, believes most family law matters are not suitable for lengthy litigation and can be resolved through cost effective alternatives. Darnell works closely with his clients to determine the most appropriate, reasonable and fair solutions to each issue. Darnell is adept at both courtroom advocacy and alternative dispute resolution (i.e. mediation, 4-way meetings, and arbitration).

Selecting a family lawyer is often about fit. Feel free to give Darnell a call to make an appointment for a free half hour initial consultation at 604-496-5096 or by email at Darnell@southcoastlaw.ca.