Common-Law Rights Calculator (Ontario)

Ontario law generally looks at how long a couple has lived together in a marriage-like relationship, among other factors, and different statutes can define it slightly differently for different purposes. See Common-Law Relationships for a fuller explanation.

Generally, no. Married spouses share in an equalization scheme under the Family Law Act, but common-law partners generally do not — property generally stays with whoever holds it, subject to claims like unjust enrichment. See Common-Law Property Rights.

Not precisely. Spousal support eligibility for common-law partners follows its own separate test from property division. Use the Spousal Support Assessment Wizard for that question specifically.

These are legal doctrines a common-law partner may use to claim a share of property they contributed to, even without an automatic equalization right. They involve fact-specific legal tests that this tool cannot evaluate — a lawyer can assess whether one might apply to you.

Not on its own. The length of cohabitation is one factor courts and statutes consider, but it does not by itself create the same automatic property-sharing rights that marriage does in Ontario.

Yes. A written cohabitation agreement can set out different terms than the general default rules this tool assumes. See Cohabitation Agreements and Marriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements in Ontario.

Yes. Ontario family law generally applies the same common-law relationship rules regardless of the partners' gender or sexual orientation.

The matrimonial home's special legal protections generally apply only to married spouses, not common-law partners. A jointly-owned home is still typically dealt with under general property law. See The Matrimonial Home.

No. There is no divorce process for common-law partners since they were never legally married — ending the relationship is simply a separation, though property, support and parenting issues can still need to be resolved.

Use the result as a general orientation only. Because common-law property rights depend heavily on case-specific facts and legal doctrines, speaking with a family lawyer is generally the best next step.