Coquitlam grew from a resource town with one of Canada's largest psychiatric institutions into a thriving Tri-Cities hub — here's the city's legal history and what it means for separating families.
## Coquitlam: From Riverview to Rapid Growth
Coquitlam was incorporated as a municipality in 1891, its name derived from the Halkomelem word *Kʷikʷəƛ̓əm*, meaning "small red salmon." The Kwikwetlem First Nation has lived in this territory since time immemorial, with traditional villages at the confluence of the Coquitlam and Fraser Rivers.
The municipality's early European development was shaped by three industries: lumber, fishing, and — most distinctively — institutional care. Riverview Hospital, established in 1913 as the Provincial Hospital for the Insane (later renamed the BC Hospital), grew to become the largest psychiatric institution in western Canada, housing over 4,700 patients at its peak in the 1950s. For decades, Riverview shaped Coquitlam's economy, providing employment to thousands of staff and defining the municipality's character as a place of institutional weight and purpose.
Riverview also had a direct connection to BC's legal system. For much of the 20th century, individuals found not criminally responsible for serious offences were remanded to Riverview, and the institution was a frequent subject of legal proceedings in New Westminster. The hospital closed its last operational wards in 2012; the historic grounds at 2601 Lougheed Highway are now subject to redevelopment planning.
Coquitlam Provincial Court at 3017 Glen Drive opened as the city's dedicated courthouse, handling Provincial Court family matters — CFCSA proceedings, protection orders, and child support applications. BC Supreme Court matters, including divorce and property division, are heard at the New Westminster Law Courts — Sea to Sky Law's home courthouse.
## Coquitlam's Family Law Landscape in 2026
Coquitlam has evolved into one of Metro Vancouver's most desirable communities, driven by the Evergreen SkyTrain extension (2016) and explosive residential growth in Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau, and Town Centre. Its population exceeds 150,000.
Key family law issues for Coquitlam families:
- New construction property division: Burke Mountain's new builds have appreciated sharply since purchase — many couples are dividing homes with significant equity but large mortgages
- Parental relocation applications: Coquitlam's distance from Vancouver employment centres means relocation requests are common when one parent wants to move closer to work or family
- Young families: Coquitlam has one of Metro Vancouver's highest proportions of families with school-age children; parenting plans, school catchment areas, and extra-curricular schedules are all central to parenting agreements
- Parenting coordination: High-conflict parenting disputes are common in the Tri-Cities; a parenting coordinator appointed under FLA s.15 can resolve day-to-day conflicts without returning to court
## Sea to Sky Law and the Tri-Cities
Andrew Liggett has served Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam families since 1991. The Evergreen Line connects to the Expo Line at Lougheed Station, so our Sapperton office is reachable by SkyTrain without a car. We serve Coquitlam families in divorce, child custody, parenting coordination, property division, and estate planning — virtually and by phone.
Riverview Hospital (opened 1913) was once BC's largest psychiatric institution. For much of the 20th century, individuals found not criminally responsible for serious offences were remanded there under court order, making it a frequent subject of New Westminster Supreme Court proceedings.
Provincial Court family matters are at Coquitlam Provincial Court (3017 Glen Drive). BC Supreme Court matters — divorce, property division, spousal support — are at New Westminster Law Courts. Sea to Sky Law's Sapperton office is minutes from the New Westminster courthouse.
A parenting coordinator (PC) is appointed under BC's Family Law Act to help high-conflict parents resolve day-to-day parenting disputes without returning to court. Andrew Liggett's LSBC ADR designations include parenting coordination — a service many Tri-Cities families find invaluable.
A Burke Mountain home purchased during the relationship is family property divided equally under the Family Law Act. If the down payment came from an inheritance or pre-relationship savings, that portion may be excluded — but any increase in the excluded amount's value during the relationship is typically shared.