Important Changes to Common Law Couples

The division of property after separation in a common law relationship is going to change dramatically in Alberta on January 1, 2020.

After this date, common law couples will have the same rights to property as married couples as a result of Bill 28 which will amend the Family Law Act in Alberta. That means that they will share all property accumulated during the common law relationship on a 50-50 basis after separation unless there are assets which are exempt from shared division, but these exemptions will be the same as for married couples.