Make an agreement or apply to court
If you and your partner agree on how to divide your property after your separation, you and can make a separation agreement that says how you divide your property and . This usually says who pays the other an .
The law also allows you and your partner to make a that divides things in a different way than through an equalization payment. You can even agree not to divide property and debts at all.
But most people use the equalization payment at least as a guide when deciding how to divide property because that is what they usually have the right to under Ontario law. So they look at this first before deciding if they want to agree to divide their property differently.
If you and your partner can’t agree, you can ask a family law professional to help you resolve your issues. Or, you can go to court and ask a judge to decide.
There are 3 courts that deal with family law issues in Ontario. But only 2 deal with property issues – the Superior Court of Justice and the Family Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice. The Ontario Court of Justice cannot divide property.
Time limit
The time limit to make a claim in court for an equalization payment is 6 years after you and your partner separate or 2 years after you , whichever happens first.
Sometimes a court gives you more time. But you have to explain why you needed more time to ask for an equalization payment.
Marriage Contract
If you signed a or a but one of you no longer wants to follow it, you or your partner can ask the court to make an order that divides your property in the way you agreed to in your agreement.
