Common-Law Marriage

Mousty · 10-07-2007, 08:08 PM

I was wondering if anyone could bring me any clarification to this matter.
I'm currently living in Canada (Ontario + Quebec, long story...) and was wondering if there was any way out of this common-law marriage clause.

Are you obligated to declare common-law marriage (for tax purpouses) or it is optional? We have a child coming in January... and from what I've read I'm stuck declaring common-law pretty much as soon as it's born since I live with my partner? I just feel like I should have a say on whether I want him to be my "spouse" or not.. and whether I want to entach my financial earnings etc... to his. It's not like I don't trust him or don't want him to be my fake "spouse", just I guess the liberty of choice is hum... non-existant?

I didn't want to get married-married because of those financial reasons but seems I need to be declared as "married" anyways :| *Pissed* lol

Zackinlaw · 10-07-2007, 08:19 PM

I would not ask these questions here ... call a lawyer (solicitor?) where you live. You raise important legal questions that we are not qualified to answer ... even those who have been through something like it before. There are always nuances!

Zack.

**melrich** · 10-07-2007, 08:25 PM

From a legal/tax point of view, you are what you are. You are living together, having a child and those arrangements will be defined in tax law as being "x".

That is not say that you are having "marriage" imposed on you. It is simply a legal category you fit into.

Charlotte123 · 10-07-2007, 10:13 PM

I remember with my last ex... we had to declare it.
If I were you I would go on the Income tax website, I'm sure you'll get all the information you need.

I'm also from Quebec, right on the border of Ontario. LOL

Mousty · 10-07-2007, 10:32 PM

Yeah, sounds like we will have to... I'm just against the idea lol! Not much of a choice though as it sounds. I don't want to start frauding the governement either, but if the governement says I need a fake spouse then I guess I need a fake spouse =).

Was there any significant issues to deal with when you two broke up? I mean like financial / legal wise or anything else than the standard emotional tearing. hehe!

That's pretty cool you live close... well maybe close? I live in the Ottawa-Hull region =)

10-07-2007, 08:08 PM	#1
Mousty Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Quebec Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 2,689	Common-Law Marriage I was wondering if anyone could bring me any clarification to this matter. I'm currently living in Canada (Ontario + Quebec, long story...) and was wondering if there was any way out of this common-law marriage clause. Are you obligated to declare common-law marriage (for tax purpouses) or it is optional? We have a child coming in January... and from what I've read I'm stuck declaring common-law pretty much as soon as it's born since I live with my partner? I just feel like I should have a say on whether I want him to be my "spouse" or not.. and whether I want to entach my financial earnings etc... to his. It's not like I don't trust him or don't want him to be my fake "spouse", just I guess the liberty of choice is hum... non-existant? I didn't want to get married-married because of those financial reasons but seems I need to be declared as "married" anyways :\| Pissed lol

10-07-2007, 10:13 PM	#4
Charlotte123 Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ottawa Gender: Female Posts: 9	Yes... you do... I remember with my last ex... we had to declare it. If I were you I would go on the Income tax website, I'm sure you'll get all the information you need. I'm also from Quebec, right on the border of Ontario. LOL

10-07-2007, 08:19 PM	#2
Zackinlaw Offline Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Jersey, USA Gender: Male Age: 25 Posts: 1,991	I would not ask these questions here ... call a lawyer (solicitor?) where you live. You raise important legal questions that we are not qualified to answer ... even those who have been through something like it before. There are always nuances! Zack.

10-07-2007, 08:25 PM	#3
melrich Offline Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 8,503	From a legal/tax point of view, you are what you are. You are living together, having a child and those arrangements will be defined in tax law as being "x". That is not say that you are having "marriage" imposed on you. It is simply a legal category you fit into.

10-07-2007, 10:32 PM	#5
Mousty Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Quebec Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 2,689	Yeah, sounds like we will have to... I'm just against the idea lol! Not much of a choice though as it sounds. I don't want to start frauding the governement either, but if the governement says I need a fake spouse then I guess I need a fake spouse =). Was there any significant issues to deal with when you two broke up? I mean like financial / legal wise or anything else than the standard emotional tearing. hehe! That's pretty cool you live close... well maybe close? I live in the Ottawa-Hull region =)