By Douglas J. Manning, Partner, Certified Specialist in Family Law
Yes! But why would you want to?
In a recent British Columbia court decision, one of the issues was whether the husband and the wife had entered into an oral marriage contract that excluded the sharing of the wife’s rental property from being shared
Matrimonial Matters
Latest from Matrimonial Matters - Page 2
Politics and the Connection to Family Law
By Marie Keeler
Thomas Dart, Partner.
Around the world, in so many countries, we are witnessing the conflict which is created by the political party system. We pride ourselves on our democracy. Yet, many of us feel it is not working. No party seems to be able to fix the many problems currently facing us. Poverty, climate…
When Sports Fans Divorce: Who Gets the World Series Tickets?
By Marie Keeler
By Douglas J. Manning, Partner, Certified Specialist in Family Law
The Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908 and have not appeared in a World Series since 1945 (when they lost to the Detroit Tigers)
But now, with the Cubs in the World Series, tickets to the 3 games in Chicago…
‘But we’re a common law couple, that’s the same as being married right?’
By Marie Keeler
David Harris-Lowe, partner, Family Law
Wrong. When it comes to property division upon a separation or death, and in other areas of the law, there is a significant difference between a married and common law couple. Married spouses have pre-determined rights to share in the increase in property value earned during the marriage and…
‘But we’re a common law couple, that’s the same as being married right?’
By Marie Keeler
David Harris-Lowe, partner, Family Law
Wrong. When it comes to property division upon a separation or death, and in other areas of the law, there is a significant difference between a married and common law couple. Married spouses have pre-determined rights to share in the increase in property value earned during the marriage and…
Separating? There Really is a Better Way
By Marie Keeler
Thomas Dart, Partner, Family Law
We have all experienced the breakdown of a relationship whether it is our own or whether it is the relationship of people we know and love. The traditional way of handling the breakdown is to have each party go to a lawyer, obtain legal advice about their rights and…
Can You Have Two Spouses At the Same Time?
By Marie Keeler
By Douglas J. Manning, Partner, Certified Specialist in Family Law
Yes! But why would you want to?
While not exactly bigamy, it is possible to have more than one spouse at the same time. If you are separated from your spouse to whom you are still married, you are still legal spouses in the…
Family Law Act property rights: Not for every couple
By Marie Keeler
Barrie Hayes, Partner, Family Law
The Family Law Act provides a statutory framework for the equalization of family property upon separation. The framework essentially exits out from the equalization the value of property the spouses owned on the date of marriage, and any property the spouses received from third parties; inheritances, life insurance policies,…
Taxes and Financial Statements
By Marie Keeler
Catherine Hyde, Paralegal
It’s tax time and hopefully you have filed your tax return. You obtained copies of your T4s, T5s, receipts for medical or children’s expenses, business or rental income information. You provided these to your accountant or perhaps prepared your own tax return, and once done, received the Notice of Assessment confirming that…
Custody battles – To Hell and Back
By Marie Keeler
David Harris-Lowe, Partner, Family Law
36 days in trial after two years in the court system. $500,000.00 in legal fees, with one party owing the other almost $200,000.00 as part of those legal costs. This was only part of the fallout recently after two parents were unable to agree to a custody and access…