Common law spouses face unique challenges during a split

Have you and your partner lived in the same home for at least three years? If so, you may not realize that you are now considered to be part of a common law relationship.

If you are in this type of relationship, it’s important that you understand your legal rights. This doesn’t mean that something will happen in the future that leads to your split, but you never know what to expect. It is best to take the right steps today, as it can help you avoid trouble in the future.

The biggest question marks are related to your property. Unlike a married couple, common law spouses are faced with a unique situation.

In short, a common law spouse is not in a position to seek an equalization of net family property. Instead, property is divided based on who made the purchase. Furthermore, jointly owned property will be shared equally.

There may be a lot of questions regarding who owns what, who purchased the items, and what should and should not be split. This is something you should expect in a common law split.

Do you have questions or concerns about your common law relationship? Did you recently split from your partner and are now faced with matters of property division? If you find yourself in this position, contact our law firm to learn more. We can review your situation and point you in the right direction.

We know you are going through a tough time, so don’t wait to contact us online or via phone. You are closer than ever to getting the assistance you need.