In Ontario, most laws treat common-law relationships and marriages the same. However, there are a few differences in the area of family law.
Family Law – Marriage and common-law relationships
Recorded on March 6, 2013 - This webinar in the Family Law Education for Women (FLEW) series looks at the Ontario rules for division of family property for married and co-habiting couples following relationship breakdown. Topics include the...
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EnglishThis online tool was created to help women learn about their economic rights when entering and leaving common law relationships or marriages. It includes information about different legal definitions of spouse in Ontario, spousal and child support,...
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English, French/français (français)Produced by:
National Association of Women and the Law
Produced In:
2012
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Audio, Booklet/PDF, WebThis article identifies the main issues that can come up when relationships end. It includes information about marriage and divorce, living together, and domestic contracts, and explains how decisions can be made through agreement, mediation, court,...
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English, French/français (français)
Produced In:
2012
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Booklet/PDF, WebThis Justice for Children and Youth blog post looks at marriage and age, marriage and sex/gender, and briefly discusses the history of same-sex marriage in Canada.
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EnglishThis Government of Ontario website tells how to change your name due to a relationship by looking at these topics: How do I assume or unassume a married name? How do I legally change to my partner or spouse's name? How do I legally change my name back...
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English, French/français (français)This fact sheet has information on common-law relationships, including how long people have to live together to be "common law," legitimacy of children, property rights, exclusive possession of the home, spousal support, and cohabitation agreements....
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EnglishThis booklet explains the basic rules for property division between separating married spouses, their rights and obligations with respect to the matrimonial home, and what happens to property if one spouse dies. It also explains the different...
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English, French/français (français)
Produced In:
2012
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Booklet/PDF, WebThis booklet looks at spousal support for married or common-law partners who are divorcing or separating, including the factors that affect whether spousal support must be paid, in what amount, and for how long. It also contains information about...
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English, French/français (français)
Produced In:
2012
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Booklet/PDF, WebThis article begins with a caution to make sure that legal information you find on the internet is correct, up-to-date, and applies to your jurisdiction (that is, make sure you are looking at information that applies to Ontario). It lists seven...
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EnglishThis booklet deals with the rule that spouses who live together must qualify for social assistance as a couple. It explains how Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) decide whether two adults who live together are...
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English, French/français (français)
Produced In:
2011
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Booklet/PDFThis section of the Province of Ontario web site has links to information about getting married in Ontario. Topics include getting a marriage license, the minimum age to marry, and who is allowed to perform marriages.
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English, French/français (français)This web site has information about forced, non-consensual marriage, including what forced marriage is and how someone in a forced marriage can find help. There are also resources for people and service providers who are helping those in forced...
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EnglishThis booklet about family law in Ontario contains information about laws that may affect families that are separating. It covers marriage, living together, separating, and getting a divorce. It explains legal rights and obligations related to the care...
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English, French/français (français), Arabic (عربي ), Chinese (中文), Somali (Afsoomaali), Spanish (español), Tamil (தமிழ்), Urdu (اردو)This booklet looks at the legal status of domestic contracts, such as marriage contracts, cohabitation agreements, and separation agreements in the context of the Muslim community. It explains how Ontario family law relates to Islamic family law. It...
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English, French/français (français), Arabic (عربي ), Farsi/Persian (پارسی ), Somali (Afsoomaali), Urdu (اردو)This booklet reviews the laws on marriage in Ontario and divorce in Canada and explains how these laws relate to Islamic family law. It looks at the legal status of marriages and divorces from other countries and the role of Canadian family law in...
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English, French/français (français), Arabic (عربي ), Farsi/Persian (پارسی ), Somali (Afsoomaali), Urdu (اردو)This guidebook for young parents explains the legal rights of pregnant women, mothers, and fathers, as well as the legal obligations of parents to provide for and protect their children.
Please note that some of the information in this guide is...
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English, French/français (français)Produced by:
Public Legal Education and Information Service - NB
Produced In:
2007
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Booklet/PDFThis booklet looks at cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, and separation agreements, and explains the court's role in enforcing these types of domestic contracts. The English version of this publication is also available in large print and...
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English, French/français (français), Arabic (عربي ), Chinese (中文), Farsi/Persian (پارسی ), Korean (한국어/조선말), Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), Russian (русский ), Somali (Afsoomaali), Spanish (español), Tamil (தமிழ்), Urdu (اردو)This fact sheet describes cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, and separation agreements, the three common types of domestic contracts that are permitted and regulated under Ontario's Family Law Act.
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EnglishThis fact sheet explains the rules about marriage in Ontario. It answers questions about how to get married, how old a person must be, who can marry whom, marriage to more than one person, and foreign marriages.
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EnglishThis fact sheet outlines the basic principles for dividing property when a relationship ends. It has information on both marriage and common-law relationships.
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English
