Economic abuse is a form of family violence that can have serious legal implications, particularly during family breakdown. When a family business is involved, it can become a tool for family violence—used to control, manipulate, or deprive a partner of financial resources. Recognizing this form of violence is important for legal professionals to ensure fair outcomes. Yet, this issue remains underexplored in legal literature and case law. This study paper aims to deepen understanding of how economic abuse occurs through family businesses, how it is currently addressed (or overlooked) in family law, and the challenges that arise in responding to it.
The BCLI is a not-for-profit law reform agency based in Vancouver. It engages in scholarly research and analysis of existing laws to determine pathways for law reform. Its goal is to provide clear and actionable insight for the purpose of improving laws in B.C. The BCLI brings together the expertise and experience of collaborators to improve the law, increase access to justice, and develop just and innovative solutions for B.C. It recommends specific reforms for legal frameworks based on deep research, expert input, and public consultation.