Common-law couples have the same rights regarding children (support and parenting) and spousal support (after 3 years). However, they have no automatic right to share in property growth or the "matrimonial home." You keep what is in your name unless you can prove you...
Knowledge Base
Common Law
Do common-law partners have to split property 50/50?
No. Unlike married couples, there is no "equalization" of assets. You own what you bought. If you want to claim a share of an asset owned by your partner, you must prove you contributed to it (financially or through labor) using a complex legal claim called "Unjust...
Is there a “matrimonial home” in a common-law relationship?
No. The special "Matrimonial Home" protections (where both spouses have an equal right to live in the home regardless of ownership) apply only to legally married couples. If a common-law couple splits and only one person is on the deed, the non-owner has no legal...
Finance
Do I need to keep life insurance for my ex-spouse?
Yes, if you are paying child or spousal support. Ontario law (and our agreements) typically requires the payor to maintain a life insurance policy with the recipient named as the beneficiary. This ensures that if the payor passes away, the support for the children or...
Is my Will still valid after I separate in Ontario?
Separation does not automatically revoke a Will in Ontario, but divorce does (partially). This is a major risk. If you separate and don't update your Will, your ex-spouse could still inherit your entire estate if you pass away before the divorce is final. We recommend...
How do we split Canada Pension Plan (CPP) credits?
When a marriage or common-law relationship ends, the CPP credits you both earned while living together can be "split" equally. This is called Credit Splitting. It happens through Service Canada and ensures both partners have a fair base for their retirement,...
How We Work
Why is “Legal Boutique” different from a traditional law firm?
Traditional firms are built on "billable hours," which often rewards conflict. Legal Boutique is built on Resolution. We are a digital-first, empathetic practice designed to get you from "Married" to "Successfully Separated" without the trauma, the high cost, or the...
What is the “Child’s Voice” in an Ontario mediation?
For older children (usually 12+), we can bring in a "Voice of the Child" specialist. They meet with the child and report back to the parents about the child’s views and preferences. This helps parents make decisions that actually reflect what the child needs, without...
Can we finalize everything without a single physical signature?
Yes! In 2026, the Ontario court system and the Electronic Commerce Act fully support e-signatures for separation agreements and divorce filings. You can complete your entire "Courtless" journey from your laptop, from the first session to the final signed agreement.
Kids and Divorce
What is a Parenting Coordinator and do we need one?
A Parenting Coordinator (PC) is a neutral professional (often used after mediation) who helps parents manage day-to-day conflicts about the parenting schedule. They have the power to make minor "arbitrated" decisions if parents can't agree on things like a specific...
How is child support calculated in Ontario for 2026?
Support is based on the Federal Child Support Tables (updated Oct 2025). The amount is determined by the paying parent's "gross" annual income and the number of children. It is a strictly "no-fault" payment designed to ensure the children benefit from the financial...
What are “Section 7 expenses” (extraordinary expenses)?
Section 7 expenses are "add-ons" to the basic monthly support. These include childcare (daycare), medical/dental premiums, orthodontic braces, and post-secondary tuition. These costs are usually shared between parents "proportionately to their incomes"—meaning if one...
Logistics of Separation
How much does Legal Boutique charge for a full separation agreement?
We offer transparent, flat-fee packages. This eliminates the "billable hour" anxiety that comes with traditional law firms. Our fee covers your intake, all mediation sessions, and the final drafting of your comprehensive, legally binding Separation Agreement.
Are there any hidden fees in your mediation packages?
No. We pride ourselves on a "No Surprises" policy. Our package fee covers our work. The only external costs you will face are the court's filing fees (if you decide to file for divorce) and the fees for your personal lawyer's independent review at the end.
Who pays for the mediator—me or my spouse?
Most couples choose to split the cost 50/50 from a joint account or their individual savings. However, in some cases, the higher-earning spouse agrees to pay the full fee. We can even document the reimbursement of these fees as part of your final financial settlement.
The Process
What is the “90-day reconciliation rule” in Ontario?
The law allows couples to try living together for one period of up to 90 days to see if they can reconcile. If the reconciliation fails, you can move back apart and continue your 365-day separation clock from your original date, without having to start the one-year...
How do I legally change my name back after a divorce?
Who is responsible for debt in a common-law split?
Unlike married couples, common-law partners are generally only responsible for debts in their own name. However, for joint debts (like a shared car loan), both remain 100% liable to the bank. Mediation is used to decide who will pay the debt or how to refinance it to...
Safety and Mutual Respect
How can we keep our separation amicable if we’re still angry?
We use "Interest-Based Negotiation." This means we ignore the past "positions" (e.g., "I want the house because you cheated") and focus on future "interests" (e.g., "Both of us need a place to live that is near the school"). This shift in focus is the key to reaching...
What if there is a power imbalance in our relationship?
In mediation, the mediator acts as a "leveler." We ensure that the more dominant spouse doesn't run the conversation and that the quieter spouse has the time and space to understand the math and the law before making any decisions. We never allow an agreement to be...
Is mediation safe if there was a history of control or verbal abuse?
Virtual mediation is a powerful tool for safety. Because you are in separate locations, there is no physical intimidation. We use "Shuttle Mediation" (private digital rooms) so you never have to see or hear each other directly, with the mediator acting as the sole...
Based in Whitby, Serving the GTA & All of Ontario Remotely
Located in the heart of Whitby and proudly serving the Durham Region, Legal Boutique provides accessible family mediation services without the commute. While we regularly assist clients locally in Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, and Clarington office we also offer vurtual mediation to serve the entire Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond.
Areas We Serve
We have optimized our practice to serve the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the entire province of Ontario virtually. Whether you are avoiding the commute from Toronto or Markham, or seeking assistance from Ottawa or London, our secure remote process ensures you receive the same high-quality mediation services from the comfort of your home.
Local (In-Person or Remote)
- Oshawa
- Ajax
- Pickering
- Brooklin
- Bowmanville & Courtice
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
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Toronto & Scarborough
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Markham & Richmond Hill
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Vaughan
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Mississauga
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Brampton
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Newmarket
Ontario-Wide (Remotely)
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Ottawa
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Hamilton
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London
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Kingston
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Barrie
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Sudbury & North
