Common Law

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...

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...

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...

For spousal support, you must cohabitate for 3 years (or less if you have a child together). For tax purposes (CRA), you are considered common-law after only 1 year. It is a common myth that property rights change after a certain number of years; in Ontario, they do...

Yes. If you have lived together for at least 3 years, or if you have a child and have lived in a relationship of "some permanence," the lower-earning partner can claim spousal support to help bridge the financial gap after the separation.

Legally, pets are "property," but mediation allows for a more compassionate approach. We help you create a "Pet Parenting Plan" that covers a shared schedule, how to split vet bills, and who makes decisions about the animal's care, ensuring the pet's well-being is the...

Yes. An agreement is the only way to "shut the door" on future legal claims. It documents your parenting plan, confirms child support, and—crucially—contains a "release" where both parties agree not to sue for spousal support or property in the future.

It is not different. The Federal Child Support Guidelines apply to all children regardless of whether their parents were married, common-law, or never lived together. The support is the right of the child, and the rules for calculation are identical across Ontario.

This is a claim made by an unmarried partner who says: "I worked on your house/business for years, and it's unfair for you to keep all the value." If you can prove your contribution increased the asset's value, a court can grant you a share of that asset even if you...

No, because a "divorce" is the legal dissolution of a marriage. Common-law partners simply move out and sign a Separation Agreement. There is no court document required to "end" the relationship unless you are filing for a court order to enforce support or property...