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(780) 439-7700

10530 110 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 3C5

Contact our Real Estate Conveyancer: (780) 932-0087 or (780) 439-7700 ext. 5

Contact Healey Law

Phone:
(780) 439-7700

Office:
10530 110 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 3C5

Contact our Real Estate Conveyancer:
(780) 932-0087 or (780) 439-7700 ext. 5

Common Law

When a couple lives together and are not married, but maintain a “marriage-like” relationship for a minimum of three years, they are considered to be living common law. (In Alberta, the term Adult Interdependent Relations, or AIR, is used).
photo of a common law couple working together on a laptop in 2020 in Edmonton, researching lawyers to assist with common law legal services

What you need to know about common law and Adult Interdependent Relationships

When a couple lives together and are not married, but maintain a “marriage-like” relationship for a minimum of three years, they are considered to be living common law. (In Alberta, the term Adult Interdependent Relations, or AIR, is used). You are also considered to be living common if you:

  • Have an ongoing relationship with another person that involves a child who became part of the relationship through birth or adoption
  • Agreed to enter a common-law relationship

Common law individuals are entitled to some of the same rights as a married couple, but not all. For example, when common-law partners decide to split, one of the partners can apply for financial support. However, the split of any financial assets is based on what each partner brought into the relationship, not an equal division of property.

There are three ways to end a common law relationship:

  • Enter an agreement to live separate and apart, without the possibility of getting back together (‘reconciliation’).
  • Live separate and apart for more than one year or both partners intend that the adult interdependent relationship end.
  • The partners decided to marry each other or one partner decides to enter into a relationship with a third person, either common law or marriage.

Quick Facts about Common Law

Co-habitation agreement – A cohabitation agreement sets out how a couple who live together will proceed if they decide to separate. The agreement can include property rights, financial assets, support payments and child support and access.

Death of your partner – Unlike a married spouse, you are not entitled to automatic inheritance and you would only be an inheritor if your partner named you in his or her Will.

Split of assets – If you have made financial or non-financial contributions, such as mortgage payments or home improvements, you can come to an agreement with your former partner on compensation. If you can’t come to an agreement, you can go to court to seek compensation.

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Healey Law Legal Team

photo of Jonathan Healey, Edmonton lawyer, a trusted attorney for a wide variety of clients seeking a top law firm in the Edmonton lawyer directory with positive lawyer reviews and offering reasonable legal fees for solicitor advice and services

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Jonathan Healey

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Kathleen Nielsen

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Effective

Ready to hire a lawyer in a top law office listed in the Edmonton lawyer directory? See why your search for legal services should end with Edmonton lawyer Jonathan Healey.

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Experienced

Over 30 years of experience in Family Law, Divorce and Separation, Uncontested Divorce, Common Law, Real Estate and Wills & Estates.

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Dependable

Not sure about fees for legal services or what to pay for legal advice from a top Edmonton law firm? Ask us for a consultation with Edmonton lawyer Jonathan Healey.

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Main Office: (780) 439-7700

Real Estate Conveyancer: (780) 932-0087

10530 110 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 3C5