In Ontario, common-law partners do not automatically inherit from each other if one partner dies without a will - unlike married spouses. To protect each other, common-law couples should put a will in place, review how their home is owned, update beneficiary designations, set up powers of attorne...

The short answer: No. In Ontario, a common-law partner does not automatically inherit when their partner dies without a will. Under the Succession Law Reform Act, only legally married spouses share in an estate on intestacy (when there's no valid will). It doesn't matter how long you've lived togeth...

Buying a home together is an exciting milestone for any common-law or married couple. For couples who are living together without being legally married, however, purchasing property together can create legal risks that many couples do not fully understand until the relationship ends or one partne...

You’ve built a life together — you share a home, finances, and maybe even a dog. But in the eyes of Ontario law, if you’re not married, you may have far fewer protections than you think.This post is the first in a series of articles that discuss where cohabitating couples may be at risk, and step...

The short answer: Estate Administration Tax (often called probate fees) and capital gains tax are two separate taxes that can both arise when someone dies in Ontario. Estate Administration Tax applies to assets that pass through the estate. Capital gains tax applies to the growth in value of cert...