Matthew Katsionis
Matthew Katsionis is an experienced trial lawyer in Vancouver who practices exclusively in family law and utilizes his civil litigation and criminal law experience to his client’s benefit. Prior to his legal career, Matthew was a teacher. This cross-section of experience provides him with a unique understanding of both the court system, and the family dynamic, which serves his clients well.
Strategies for Complex Family Law & Financial Issues
Matthew attends to all aspects of a family law case including parenting, guardianship, divorce, child support, spousal support, and property division. He also has experience handling cases with corporations and business interests, as well as high-net worth individuals that require an acute understanding of corporations, various financial assets, and liabilities.
Balancing Negotiation and Advocacy for Comprehensive Solutions
Matthew takes a rational and logical approach to his cases. He believes that negotiation and mediation should always be the starting point. However, if the case cannot be resolved and must go to trial, he is prepared and adept at advocating for his clients. Matthew is experienced in drafting cohabitation, marriage, and separation agreements, including highly complex agreements involving a wide range of assets.
Candid Communication for Informed Decisions
Matthew is open, honest, and up-front with his clients about their case so that they can make informed decisions throughout their matter.
Matthew has multiple published decisions on a wide range of family law issues such as:
- Hiding income and imputation of income
- Corporate and business issues
- High-income earners
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Retroactive child support
- Retroactive spousal support
- Complex property division and liabilities
- Excluded property
- Protection orders and restraining orders
When not in the office, Matthew spends his time on the basketball court, weightlifting, playing ice hockey, skiing, golfing, and spending time his two children.
Reported Decisions
Visit our Reported Decisions page to discover more cases that showcase the exceptional legal advocacy provided by Crossroads Law.
Wang v Lapke, 2021 BCSC 27402021
Counsel of Record: Matthew Katsionis
Case Summary: Matthew Katsionis successfully represented the respondent in this family law case concerning dual citizenship for the parties children. Despite the claimant's push for Taiwanese citizenship, the court ruled in favor of the respondent, emphasizing the potential risks and complications involved in the matter. The decision not only safeguarded the children's well-being but also awarded costs to the respondent, affirming the need for careful consideration in cross-border family disputes. This outcome underscores the court's cautious approach to issues of international citizenship in family law.
Nott v Nott, 2020 BCSC 19622020
Counsel of Record: Matthew Katsionis
Case Summary: Matthew Katsionis successfully defended the respondent husband who had separated from his wife in 2011 and had a consent order in place since 2013. The claimant wife tried to overturn this order, claiming that her husband had lied about his income. The court found that the husband had not misrepresented his financial situation, especially as the wife had been his sole bookkeeper for nearly two decades. The wife's application to set aside the existing consent order was dismissed, maintaining the original terms.
Stewart v Bosacki, 2023 BCCA 263 2017
Counsel of Record: Matthew Katsionis
Case Summary: Matthew Katsionis successfully represented the respondent husband in this complex family law dispute. The applicant wife sought multiple orders, including fines and back payments for child support. The husband managed to delay the hearing to properly prepare his case, although he was ordered to pay $10,000 for the delays. An attempt to appeal this fee was not successful, but it was a minor issue given the larger context and ongoing legal battle.
Great experience with Matthew. He was incredibly thorough, clear in his communication and helped me understand the process (which he also made easy for me). Wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
Credentials
- Juris Doctor, Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- Bachelor of Arts, Criminology, Simon Fraser University
- Certified Legal Coach
Associations
Free Consultation
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Blogs by Matthew
How Bankruptcy Impacts Child Support, Spousal Support, and Costs in Family Law Cases
As family lawyers, we sometimes encounter questions about the impact of bankruptcy on child support, spousal support, and cost awards in family law matters.
Expert Witnesses for Children with Special Needs
At Crossroads Law, we have represented many families who have children with special needs. Parents who are separated often encounter disputes about parenting time and child support.
Section 7 Expenses for Children with Special Needs
There are two main categories of child support in Canada under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.