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Separation and Divorce

Does Remarriage Cancel Your Ex-Spouse’s Beneficiary Status in Ontario?

Does Remarriage Cancel Your Ex-Spouse’s Beneficiary Status in Ontario?

Remarriage does not automatically remove an ex-spouse from your financial accounts, insurance policies, or registered assets in Ontario.  Ontario law treats your will and your registered assets as two entirely separate matters, and each one requires its own update after remarriage. Without both in place, an ex-spouse can still inherit a significant portion of your […]

How Do You File for an Annulment in Ontario?

How Do You File for an Annulment in Ontario?

Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage, an annulment recognizes that a valid marriage never existed under the law. Being unable to distinguish both is important because the rights and responsibilities that follow differ greatly between annulment, divorce, and separation. In this blog, we cover the legal grounds for annulment, documents required and process to […]

How Does A New Spouse Affect An Existing Support Plan?

How Does A New Spouse Affect An Existing Support Plan?

Remarriage does not automatically change existing support obligations. A person who pays child support or spousal support must continue to follow the terms of the current arrangement unless a court changes the order or the parties sign a new enforceable agreement. Support obligations in Ontario may arise under the Divorce Act, the Family Law Act, […]

Estate Planning Changes to Expect After You Remarry in Ontario

Estate Planning Changes to Expect After You Remarry in Ontario

Second marriages often involve blended families, adult children from prior relationships, jointly owned property, and competing moral expectations. Estate plans that worked well after a first marriage or divorce may no longer align with legal reality after remarriage. Since 2022, Ontario law has changed in a way that increases personal responsibility around estate planning. These […]

Can I Change My Spousal Support Payments After a Job Loss or Retirement?

Can I Change My Spousal Support Payments After a Job Loss or Retirement?

While Canadian courts recognize that circumstances evolve, there are strict regulations in place to ensure that spousal support obligations aren’t violated. A payor’s financial hardship does not automatically justify a reduction or termination. Instead, the court requires clear evidence of a material and lasting change in circumstances before any modifications are made.  How do courts […]

What Happens to Joint Debt After a Divorce in Ontario?

What Happens to Joint Debt After a Divorce in Ontario?

When you’ve shared years together in marriage, managing money often becomes a team effort. But when a marriage ends, untangling joint finances can get messy fast. Who’s responsible for the mortgage? What happens to the car loan or that shared credit card? These conversations can quickly escalate into heated arguments. Thankfully, Ontario family law provides […]