Separation Agreement in Canada

Are you considering separating from your spouse?

If so, below are some important facts and information regarding separations in Canada. We will clarify a few common misconceptions about separations and then help you to understand exactly what a Separation Agreement is and what it needs to cover.

First, there really is no such thing as filing for ‘legal separation’ in Canada. You are legally separated as soon as you and your spouse are ‘living separate and apart’. However, the term ‘legal separation’ is commonly used to describe the contract that is created between two spouses at the time of their separation.

Second, there is no time limit to being separated, and a divorce will never automatically  occur after or because of a separation. In fact, you can remain indefinitely separated from your spouse without ever filing for divorce. The only legal reason to obtain a divorce is if one partner wishes to remarry.

In order to  file for divorce in Canada, you must first complete a full one year separation period. The only exception to this rule is if your divorce is filed under the grounds of adultery or cruelty. 

One Year Separation Period

As noted above, there are no time limits to a separation in Canada. However, if you are using separation as grounds for your divorce, then you must be separated from your spouse for a minimum of one full year. You can begin the application process for divorce the day that you are separate, but the courts will not grant you your divorce until the full year has passed.

If during this one year separation period you and your spouse get back together, this reconciliation will not affect your one year separation period unless you are back together for a period, or multiple periods, equaling more than 90 days. The purpose of this law is to allow couples a chance to try and work on repairing their marriage, without delaying a divorce in the event that their attempts are not successful. If you do indeed reconcile for a period of or exceeding 90 days and then separate again, you will be required to begin a new full one year separation period before a divorce can be granted.

Lastly, being separated from your spouse does not always mean that you must be living at separate addresses. Being separated means that you and your spouse must be living separate lives. From the court's perspective, living at separate addresses is the easiest way to prove this. In the event that separate addresses are not possible (due to finances, children, etc.) you may reside at the same address as your spouse, and still be separated. In this type of situation, the court will require that the couple prove that while they were dwelling at the same address they no longer lived as a couple. This can be complicated and usually requires legal advice and representation.

How to Prove Date of Separation Ontario (& Canada)

To prove the date you separated in Ontario and across Canada, you can look at when you started to:

• live separately or if you remained living in the same home, slept separately
• separate your money and finances
• do things on your own, such as having meals, going on vacations, or celebrating holidays apart

You can also look at documents like:

• communications in the forms of email, letters, texts, or other messages where you or your partner spoke about separating
• documents indicated that you're not living as a couple. An example would be your income tax returns showing martial status as Separated.

What is a Separation Agreement?

A separation agreement is a legally binding contract created between two spouses, at the time of their separation. This contract sets out each party’s rights on issues such as: child custody/access, property, debts and child / spousal support. The law leaves the decision about having a written agreement up to each individual couple. However, it is always strongly recommended as it can be very hard to prove any verbal agreements made by a couple, in a court of law.

Ideally, it is best to have separation agreements drafted by a lawyer. It is not a rule that separation agreements must be drafted by a lawyer, and couples are entitled to draft their own agreements. Should you choose to create your own separation agreement it is important to check all your provincial requirements so that you know how to successfully write an agreement that will be binding and enforceable by the courts. It can be very difficult and costly to fight for unclear written agreements in court, should one spouse stop respecting the terms of your arrangement.

Drafting your Separation Agreement

There are many issues that need to be considered when creating a separation agreement. Separation agreements are treated seriously by the courts and any terms that are clearly unreasonable will not be accepted. It is important to note that judges will not usually change any property divisions or spousal support terms agreed to in writing, even if it is something they wouldn't have set themselves. Due to this, it is important that you are fully educated about all your legal rights and are completely comfortable and confident before signing a separation agreement.

In the event that you and your spouse cannot agree on some or all of the items in a separation agreement, you can contact a mediator or retain separate lawyers in order to help you resolve your differences.