Hello, Im an Ontario Teacher and have been teaching for 14…

In Ontario assets are shared as well as debts. That's not the case if the marriage is very short but otherwise it's generally the case.

There are exceptions to this. Generally assets brought into the marriage are not shared. Any increase in value of the assets is shared though. But if the matrimonial home is brought in it is shared.

Also, gifts and inheritances are not usually shared. They are shared if they money goes into the matrimonial home. The increase in value is shared unless the asset is kept isolated from family assets.

So, the result is that without a marriage contract things can turn out to be very unfair. For example, if you end up with a mortgage on your house and then you want to pay it off with your inheritance he will share in the inheritance because it went into the matrimonial home.

A marriage contract allows you both the flexibility of setting things up in a way that you both think is fair. That way you and not the Courts decide what will happen if your marriage breaks down. And, it helps avoid legal battles if the marriage ends.

Your mother can do some things to try and protect your inheritance but she cannot completely do this as I've just explained.

For this reason she is wise to mention the marriage contract to you. Marriage contracts are not something that shows lack of trust. They can serve both spouses well and give certainty to a situation in the eventuality that they are needed.

Let me know if you need further clarification.