If you are divorcing in Ontario, you and your soon-to-be ex can expect to equally share in the increased net worth of your marriage. In other words, if husband's net worth from date of marriage to date of separation increased by $1,000 and wife's net worth stayed the...
Few events are more financially disruptive than a divorce. In the span of this one event, parties can lose half their pension acquired during their marriage and their home; they go from having two incomes to support one household to supporting themselves. It might...
If you are like many Canadians going through a divorce, your matrimonial home is the most expensive asset you own. Because of this, you may be considering whether you should try to keep it in the divorce. Before you make any decisions about this property, consider a...
Dividing assets and money in an Ontario divorce is a complex and intensive process. Add in attempts to hide date of separation assets and artificially inflate debts, well it becomes even more contentious and complicated! (And note that in Ontario, we don't really...
Proper valuations are essential to dividing property and calculating equalization payments in Ontario. Mistakes that result in undervaluing or overvaluing property can create significant financial and legal headaches. As such, it is crucial to avoid them, including...
When you are dividing (in Ontario we say "equalizing") your "net family property" as part of your divorce, fixing a dollar number to some assets and liabilities may prove to be especially challenging. In some cases, these complexities could derail an otherwise...
When people are planning their wedding, discussing what will happen to your property in the event of a divorce is typically not on the list of priorities. However, talking about a marital contract can be essential, especially for parties entering a marriage with...
Too often, engaged couples dismiss the idea of having a "prenuptial agreement" or "marriage contract" because they associate it with conflict and mistrust. Of course, a prenup is valuable if a marriage ends, but it can also be a tool in helping to clarify goals and...
Affluent couples (and even those less so) can have complex finances to which parties cannot easily assign a fair value. The first step in equalization of net family property (Ontario) is to assign a "fair value" to assets and liabilites. Such situations can involve...
Divorce is not something that happens overnight. Spouses might spend months or years fighting, reconciling, seeking counseling and living in limbo before someone ultimately files the necessary paperwork to end the marriage. Thus, it may not always be clear when...
