Answer

Thank you for your reply and clarification. According to the laws of Ontario Canada, there is no laws governing common law relationships. This means common law partners do not have any rights to share in the property distribution upon separation.

However despite the absence of any laws regulating distribution of property in a common law relationship the affected party can still sue under the principal of Unjust Enrichment. Under this principal the argument is essentially that property should be distributed because it is not fair that the person who acquired the property should keep it all and the other person should get nothing. This principal could extend to financial responsibility to your partner if there has been a lengthy relationship. However, these issues are determined on a case by case basis and the final decision maker is the judge.

At this time, you owe no financial responsibility unless your partner claims she is owed something under the principal of unjust enrichment.

You are advised to speak with a family law attorney to further protect your interests.

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Answered:	12/1/2006

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