Residents of Canada know that you do not need to be married to be in a committed relationship. According to the census conducted in 2011, common-law relationships have increased. Of Canadian women over the age of 14, in 2011, 11 percent were living with a common-law partner. In 1981 only 3.8 percent of women were engaged in relationships of that nature, many more women are currently chosing this arrangement rather than marriage.
For at least one demographic, the shift away from marriage could be reducing the number of divorces that are occurring. Where women between the ages of 30 and 34 are concerned, in 2011, only seven percent divorced. That percentage was 12 percent two decades earlier in 1981. Older Canadian women however, have a higher rate of divorce. Twenty one percent of females throughout the country who are between the ages of 50 and 59 were either separated or divorced at one point or another in their lives. In many situations the split took place when they were younger, before common-law marriages were so popular.
Regardless of whether a couple was married or involved in a common-law marriage, matters that arise in the course of the split can be complicated. Since the way in which these matters are decided greatly impacts the lives of those involved, they should be taken seriously. To secure the best possible outcome it is important that those involved have experienced famiily lawyers well versed in how matters such as the division of property, division of debt, support and child related issues should be handled. The sooner a lawyer is contacted, the better. Petrson Stark Scott’s Family Dispute Resolution Professionals provide family law advice and family law services in all areas.