Case Summary
Rick v Brandsema is a BC family law case in which the parties entered a separation agreement that left Mr. Brandsema with substantially more assets than Ms. Rick after 27 years of marriage. Ms. Rick suffered mental health challenges when the agreement was signed and identified herself as a survivor of domestic violence.
Case Documents
- Application for leave to intervene – Supreme Court of Canada
- Factum – Supreme Court of Canada
- Decision – Supreme Court of Canada
West Coast LEAF’s involvement
LEAF and West Coast LEAF presented oral arguments in Rick v Brandsema at the Supreme Court of Canada on October 14, 2008.
Decision
The trial judge determined that Mr. Brandsema failed to disclose, or properly value, family and jointly held business assets and awarded M.s Rick funds to equalize the property division. The Court of Appeal overturned that result, but the Supreme Court of Canada accepted Ms Rick’s appeal and restored the trial judge’s decision. The Supreme Court of Canada found that the parties’ separation agreement was unfair and invalid because Mr. Brandsema exploited Ms. Rick’s vulnerabilities and purposely misled her about the state of their financial affairs.