Pros and Cons of Marriage vs. Common-Law:  Which is Best for You? 

So you’ve found yourself a lifelong partner – someone who you think is “The One”.  It looks like happily-ever-after is well within reach for you.  Now what?  Do you get married?  Or do you choose to live together in a common-law relationship?  It’s an important decision. That’s because in Ontario, each of these options comes with distinct legal rights and responsibilities. Understanding the...

Marriage Versus Common-Law in Ontario – What’s the Difference?

According to the latest reports by Statistics Canada, marriage rates have been on the decline in the past few years, while common-law relationships have been on the rise. This ebb and flow in the popularity of each is due to many factors, of course. But at least some of them relate to the differences between each type of relationship union.   MARRIAGE Beginning Requires obtaining a marriage...

What is Legal Separation?

When a marriage isn’t working out, and a couple is ready to move on from the relationship, many people automatically assume that divorce is the next step in ending the marriage. There is a law in Ontario that states couples must be legally separated for at least one year before they can file for divorce. So, what is a legal separation? Here’s what you need to know. What is a legal separation?...

Are Prenups Only for the Wealthy?

Prenuptial agreements or marriage contracts are something that most Canadians are only familiar with because they have seen them used as part of a plot on a television show or movie. And it is no surprise. According to a 2017 Ipsos survey, only about 8% of Canadians have one. In the US, the number is higher but it’s still not huge – only about 14% of Americans have a prenup. Prenups have the...

Why Your Marriage May Get Harder with Kids Going Back to School

There’s a classic commercial that aired in the 1990s about the back-to-school season. A father dances through an office supplies store to the tune of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” while his children trudge behind him glumly. Many parents believe that when their children go back to school, their lives will be easier. However, the opposite is often true. When...

‘Will Your Marriage End in Divorce?’ Quiz

If I Get Divorced now What Happens to my Pension

Getting divorced after years of marriage is hard on you emotionally, mentally, and let’s face it, financially. Everything you accumulated together as a couple during your married life must now be catalogued, valuated and divided. It’s hard to put a price tag on assets that have so much sentimental value, such as the family home and the furnishings you picked together. At least some assets...

How to Have a Happy Second Marriage

Research has proven that couples in a second marriage are less likely to divorce because they benefit from the experiences they had with the first marriage. Couples in a second marriage are older, more mature and ready to commit. However, this does not mean that a second marriage will definitely last. This is because it’s easy to carry relationship patterns over from one marriage to another....