Michelle Kinney Logo
birds

Michelle Kinney Law

Family & Fertility Law

Family Building and Assisted Reproduction ~
Cooperative Separation ~ Family Law Mediation

My Services
Michelle Headshot color

As one of the architects of the British Columbia’s Family Law Act, Michelle Kinney has in-depth knowledge of the family law. Michelle is a family and fertility lawyer with over 16 years’ experience. She is licensed to practice law in British Columbia and Nunavut, Canada and is an accredited family law mediator and arbitrator.

Michelle’s practice focusses on “family building”, including through assisted reproduction and cohabitation agreements,  and “cooperative separation” through mediation and legal coaching so clients can help themselves navigate their family law issues. 

Learn More About Michelle

Michelle is doing law differently~  affordable flat rate, remote services help clients get what they need at the cost they expect. Michelle’s goal is to help clients navigate their legal path with knowledge, support, and collaboration. Michelle approaches her law practice with innovation, passion and integrity and with the goal of making the process simple, efficient, and cost-effective for clients.

Menu Of Services and Pricing

FAMILY BUILDING

Creating the family and relationship you envision.

threekids

Fertility Law / Assisted Reproduction Agreements

Building intentional families.

If your path to parenthood includes assisted reproduction, Michelle will provide advice or draft your agreement for surrogacy, sperm, egg or embryo donation , or to support alternative family structures.

Michelle specializes in helping families navigate the legal world of family building through assisted reproduction.  She can also act as a mediator in the event of a dispute.

Learn More

Cohabitation Agreements

Make your own relationship rules.

Michelle’s most given and least taken advice to new couples is “get a cohabitation agreement”. A Cohabitation Agreement lets you opt out of the law and define your own rules that feel fair for your relationship respecting property, support and other matters. Michelle helps couples create the legal relationship structure that reflects their values and circumstances.

Michelle can also act as a mediator to help the couple neogiate their agreement.

Learn More

COOPERATIVE SEPARATION

Working with you to help you un-couple cooperatively.
Navigate separation creatively & efficiently. Create amicable, workable solutions to relationship breakdown out-of- court. 

Separation Agreements & Strategy Sessions

Michelle empowers those separating to help themselves through legal advice and creative coaching.

Strategy Session: Legal advice so you understand your rights, responsibilities and options so you can advocate for yourself. Book a Strategy Session to make a plan to navigate your separation, or to seek Independent Legal Advice on a Separation Agreement.

Separation Agreement (uncontested): If you and your partner agree to the terms of your separation, Michelle will draft a legally binding Separation Agreement.

Michelle does not represent clients as legal counsel in their separation negotiations or in court.

Learn More

Remote Family Law Mediation

Michelle helps couples resolve their disputes together cooperatively, creatively and equitably out- of-court through remote mediation. With a focus on reducing conflict, mediation is a gentler, more efficient, satisfying and cost-effective way to finalize your separation.

As both a lawyer and a mediator, Michelle can provide legal information during mediation, as well as draft a binding Separation Agreement if agreement is reached.

If you are considering mediation, Michelle cannot provide legal advice or self-help services, as she will act as a neutral party for both spouses.

If you are eligible for mediation through legal aid, I accept these files at the legal aid rate to improve access to justice for families in BC and Nunavut.

Learn More
Butterflies

Law Reform & Legal Education Consulting Services

Michelle has extensive experience with carrying out law reform initiatives, including legislation and policy changes respecting family law, family violence and access to justice, as well as legal writing and legal education projects. Michelle provides consulting services and advice to governments, legal educators, and fertility or legal service providers on an hourly or contract basis. Please contact Michelle directly about these services.

Contact Michelle

Testimonials

Integrity is the word best used to describe Michelle. Intelligence and compassion inform her approach to law and her clients. I am so grateful for her support and guidance throughout a complicated time in my life. I would, without hesitation, recommend Michelle to anyone seeking clarity with their legal matter.
G.
THE BEST!!!! Professional, intelligent, strategic. I cannot say enough great things about Michelle Kinney. If you want to be treated like a valuable customer, as opposed to a burden with ugly family problems this is where you need to come. I feel my results were so worthwhile that maybe I can help someone else by writing this review.
- Client
Michelle prepared our contracts for two surrogacies. She was very thorough, she knew all the hard questions that needed to be addressed for intended parents and guided us when we needed it. Her experience in the fertility area really shines through in the support and sensitivity she offered us. Michelle made sure that everything was wrapped up and we had no delays at the clinic waiting for the contracts. She provided very clear instructions for what needed to be done after our baby was born. She thought of everything and made the legal part of the process easy. We wholeheartedly recommend her!
Intended Parents, Surrogacy 2019 and 2023
Michelle was tremendous in helping me through my separation and provided clear, concise and practical approaches and communication to manage the issues. She was extremely responsive to communications and turnaround times were excellent! I would (and have) recommended Michelle to other friends needing similar support.
- Client
We were very happy with all the excellent service provided by Michelle. We felt confident from start to finish. Her instructions were very clear. As a person, you can see how considerate and caring she is. At all times, she made sure we understood everything. A huge thank you for your precious help, Michelle!
Intended Parents, International surrogacy
Michelle works very hard and doesn't waste time. She will offer up practical solutions and will not advocate for an approach that is not going to meet a cost/benefit test.....she has good judgment and a good work ethic.
- Client
Michelle was easy to talk to, open to all questions/ideas/adjustments, and provided comprehensive answers and suggestions. She worked quickly with my schedule and was flexible and supportive. I felt like Michelle had my back every step of the way.
Known donor agreement
Michelle was very knowledgeable and it was clear how passionate she is about fertility law when helping us with our surrogacy contract. She showed compassion and was always available when we had questions. Very quick to respond to our questions and concerns. Highly recommended!
Stephan & Jorge
Michelle helped us out with a co-hab. She was really easy to work and communicate with. She’s very knowledgeable and professional. And- I think the honest discussions about our future expectations, with the benefit of understanding the legal side, actually strengthened our relationship!
Sarah & Ben
Michelle was amazing in a difficult situation and I would highly recommend her. She was professional, knowledgeable, and super efficient. Michelle was able to provide clear answers to my questions and provided me with the guidance I needed. She is not only highly competent and professional but also has a wonderful personality. She was very supportive and empathetic when I needed it the most. I highly recommend Michelle.
- client
Michelle quickly got up-to-date with my situation and offered expert advice. She replied to my emails with clear answers and in a timely manner. Michelle followed up on issues and ensured that I understood my choices. Her billing was fair and the process was much less costly than my previous approach. Michelle is a 10 out of 10!
-Client
Previous
Next

Get Started

Services and Pricing
Contact Michelle