By David Harris-Lowe, partner, Family Law

Which spouse owns the family home, whether you’re married or in a common law relationship, matters.  The rules around ownership are important and can make a significant difference to how property issues get resolved.  Some rules that are often surprising to people include:

a)      When you get

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

Although Ontario common law spouses have a statutory right to receive spousal support upon separation, there is no statutory recognition of common law spouses in claims for property. The Family Law Act, in dealing with equalization of net family property, limits spouses to legal married spouses only.

Courts in Ontario, however, have historically granted

The law clerks at Barriston have focused on the various sections of a Financial Statement.  Part 4(b) identifies household contents, vehicles and other items.

Just as a quick refresher: remember that your Financial Statement is a snapshot of your financial situation.  Only include an asset that you are the registered owner of.  For example, it

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

It is the start of the New Year and I am still basking in the holiday glow. The glow emanates from good will and holiday cheer, from spending time with loved ones and hearing from old friends, from a little time off work, indulging in good food and drinks, and certainly from all the new gifts