Barrie Hayes, Partner, Family Law

The Family Law Act provides a statutory framework for the equalization of family property upon separation. The framework essentially exits out from the equalization the value of property the spouses owned on the date of marriage, and any property the spouses received from third parties; inheritances, life insurance policies

A recent Court of Appeal decision has caused considerable concern in relation to the certainty of the statutory provisions being applied to determine net family property equalization between legal married spouses.

Sections 4 and 5 of the Family Law Act have, to date, been viewed as all encompassing statutory direction in the division of net

Let me introduce myself as the newest Barriston blogger.  I joined the firm, as a partner last month.  Prior to this I practiced, mostly as a sole practioner, for the past sixteen years.  I have practiced law for twenty five years, mostly in the family law area.  I practice in the courts, but prefer mediation

Married spouses in Ontario, and the other provinces, have enshrined legislated rights on how their rights and interests in property are determined in the event of a separation.  There is a specific formula that sets out each spouse’s monetary entitlement upon separation, with a few specific exceptions.

Unlike married spouses, unmarried partners have no such