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Common law separation in Peterborough can be legally complex, especially for couples who assume their rights are the same as married spouses. While many of the issues, like parenting, support, and finances look similar, the legal rules are very different.
If you are separating from a partner you were not married to, it is essential to understand how Ontario law applies to your situation so you can make informed decisions from the start.
In everyday conversation, “common law” often just means you live together. In Ontario family law, the meaning depends on what issue you are talking about.
For spousal support claims under Ontario’s Family Law Act, a “spouse” can include unmarried partners if they cohabited continuously for at least three years, or if they have a child together and lived in a relationship of some permanence.
That definition is important because it can open the door to a spousal support claim, even if you were never married.
But here’s the big twist: property division rules that apply to married spouses (like equalization of net family property) generally do not apply to unmarried spouses. Ontario’s own public information is clear that common law partners typically keep the property they own and do not automatically share the increase in value the way married spouses do.
So, common law separation often involves:
The early stages of separation can feel overwhelming, especially when finances, parenting responsibilities, and living arrangements are changing quickly. Taking organized steps early can help reduce stress and future legal disputes.
Important steps often include:
Creating a structured plan early often helps couples maintain greater control over the separation process.
Separating common law partners in Peterborough are generally not entitled to an automatic 50/50 division of the wealth accumulated during the relationship. The Ontario Government explains it plainly: “Common law couples are not legally required to split property acquired when they lived together.”
So, what happens instead?
Most common law property outcomes start with ownership:
That said, common law partners can still have claims in some cases, especially when one person contributed significantly to property owned by the other.
If one partner was enriched, the other suffered a corresponding deprivation, and there is no legal reason for that enrichment, courts can grant remedies. In Kerr v. Baranow, the Supreme Court of Canada discussed unjust enrichment and how a “joint family venture” can be a basis for a remedy in appropriate cases.
In real-life terms, these claims can come up when, for example:
These cases are fact-specific and can be complex. If you think this applies to you, it’s worth getting legal advice early.
For married spouses, Ontario’s Family Law Act has special rules about the matrimonial home and possession rights.
Common law couples do not automatically get those same statutory possession rights.
That means if the home is in only one person’s name, the other person may not have the same built-in right to stay that married spouses often assume exists.
Practical tip: if one person is moving out, many couples benefit from a short written interim agreement that covers:
If you have children, child support rules apply regardless of whether you were married.
The starting point is usually the “table amount” under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, based on the payor’s income and the number of children.
When each parent has the children at least 40% of the time, section 9 of the Guidelines applies. In Contino v. Leonelli-Contino, the Supreme Court of Canada explained that once the 40% threshold is met, the court considers the factors listed in section 9 to determine the amount of support, and it is not purely automatic math.
In day-to-day negotiations, many parents talk about “set-off” support (the difference between two table amounts). That’s a common approach, but shared parenting cases can involve more analysis depending on costs in both homes and the children’s standard of living.
In Ontario, special expenses are commonly shared in proportion to incomes (not simply 50/50) unless you agree otherwise. Ontario’s Child Support Guidelines regulation covers the principle that these expenses are shared between parents or spouses.
Examples often include childcare, certain medical expenses, and agreed activities.
Common law partners can be eligible for spousal support in Ontario if they meet the definition of “spouse” for support purposes under the Family Law Act. This generally includes couples who lived together continuously for at least three years, or who have a child together and were in a relationship of some permanence. Unlike property division, which follows different rules for unmarried partners, spousal support rights can arise even if you were never married.
Spousal support can be negotiated in a separation agreement or determined by a court. In practice, lawyers and courts frequently use the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) to determine a reasonable range for amount and duration. While the Guidelines are not binding law, they are widely relied upon across Ontario. Common factors considered include the length of the relationship, the roles each person played (such as income earner or primary caregiver), differences in income and earning capacity, and any economic advantages or disadvantages arising from the relationship or its breakdown. If spousal support is being discussed, it is important to obtain proper advice before agreeing to a specific amount or duration, as the financial impact can be significant .
Even though property rules differ, a written separation agreement is often the single most useful tool for reducing uncertainty. It can cover:
Under section 56(4) of Ontario’s Family Law Act, a court may set aside a domestic contract if a party failed to disclose significant assets, debts, or liabilities, if a party did not understand the nature or consequences of the agreement, or otherwise in accordance with contract law principles.
This is why full financial disclosure and independent legal advice are strongly recommended before signing a separation agreement. If your agreement is intended to protect your rights and provide long-term certainty, it is important that both people fully understand the terms and make informed decisions based on complete information.
Usually three years, or less if you have a child together.
No, property is generally based on ownership.
No, child support applies the same way.
Yes, depending on financial circumstances.
Yes, to avoid future disputes and ensure clarity.
One of the biggest risks in common law separation is relying on incorrect assumptions.
Understanding your rights around:
can prevent long-term legal and financial problems.
We proudly support separating couples in Peterborough and throughout Peterborough County, including:
Our divorce mediation and family mediation services are available throughout Peterborough and surrounding communities, helping families resolve parenting, support, and separation issues privately, respectfully, and without unnecessary court involvement.
If you are navigating a common law separation, our experienced team can help you work toward fair, practical solutions through divorce mediation and family mediation in Peterborough.
Whether you need assistance with parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, or separation agreements, we help families create structured, legally informed agreements that reduce conflict and support long-term stability.
🗓️ Schedule your free, joint, 30-minute consultation to learn how divorce mediation and family mediation can help your family move forward in Peterborough.
📞 Toll-Free: 888-779-8777
📧 connect@positivesolutions.ca
🌐 www.positivesolutions.ca
“Changing the way couples separate in Ontario”
President and founder of Positive Solutions Divorce Services®
(416)-559-5527 | connect@positivesolutions.ca | positivesolutions.ca
The information provided in our blogs and throughout our website is intended for general educational purposes, offering insights into separation and divorce processes in Peterborough and throughout Ontario. While we make every effort to ensure our content is accurate and current, it should not be considered legal advice. Although we can provide legal information to help you understand the divorce process, we recommend consulting with a qualified family law lawyer to obtain legal advice specific to your situation.
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Book a Free Joint Online Meeting to see if Mediation is right for you.
Throughout the mediation process, we encourage open communication and creative problem-solving, often uncovering mutually beneficial solutions. Our goal is to help you create a separation agreement that provides clarity and stability during this transitional period, while also being flexible enough to adapt to future changes.
By choosing our mediation services for your separation agreement, you can often achieve a more personalized and comprehensive document than one created through traditional legal channels, potentially saving time, reducing costs, and laying the groundwork for a more amicable post-separation relationship.
A Separation Agreement is a legally binding document that outlines how separating spouses will divide parenting responsibilities, property, and finances after a relationship ends. At Positive Solutions Divorce Services®, we help couples create clear, enforceable Separation Agreements through mediation—without going to court.
Our trained mediators guide both partners through every topic that matters: parenting time, decision making, child support, spousal support, and property equalization. We offer a calm, structured environment where couples can resolve issues respectfully and affordably. Once decisions are made, we prepare a comprehensive agreement that can be reviewed by independent legal counsel and signed to become legally binding in Ontario.
*The information included in a Separation Agreement, or other applicable documents, is purely a guide and cannot substitute for a lawyer’s skill, knowledge, and careful drafting. These documents are simply reflective of the information received from you and are an administrative service only.
Positive Solutions Divorce Services® does not warrant and is not liable or responsible for ensuring the validity and/or enforceability of any Agreement or clause in an Agreement and remains your full and sole responsibility. Full financial disclosure is a crucial element in the preparation of any Agreement. It is also critical that you understand your rights and obligations under existing law.
In many circumstances, the Agreement will be addressing complex assets and issues, such as corporations, trusts, pensions, tax implications etc. In these cases, it is imperative that the actual relevant documentation be reviewed and that the expertise of an accountant or specialist in the subject area be consulted to ensure that the Agreement properly addresses these complex assets and issues. It is strongly recommended that you retain Independent Legal Advice before signing any documentation arising out of the end of your marriage or common law relationship.