Common-law Relationships and Property Rights in Ontario

Photo Art by Andrea Linker

"Strathroy in Snow"

Did you hear the story on the news last week of a couple in Quebec who are splitting up? They were unmarried and at issue was support. The Quebec court said that unmarried partners are not entitled to support.

Although that was about support issues, it did get me thinking about common-law relationships and Real Estate in Ontario.

Many people believe that after 6 months of living together a couple becomes "common-law" married and thus the house owned by only one of the couple becomes "matrimonial property" and any increase in value from start to finish of the relationship is shared 50/50. Except for mitigating circumstances, this is untrue.

I have selected an excerpt from an information booklet published by the Ministry of the Attorney General. It was last revised in November 2012.

     "...Common law couples do not have the same rights as married couples to share the property they bought when they were living together. Usually, furniture, household belongings and other property belong to the person who bought them."

     "Common law couples also do not have the right to divide between them the increase in value of the property they brought with them to the relationship."

    " If you have contributed to property your spouse owns, you may have a right to part of it. Unless your spouse agrees to pay you back through negotiation, mediation, collaborative law or arbitration, you may have to go to court to get back your contribution."

To read more about the Family Law Act, go to http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/familyla.pdf

Keep in mind that the booklet does not contain legal advice or replace the specialized advice of lawyers or other experts.

Common law relationships are not "just like being married". I know of a man who re-mortgaged his home to payout a former live-in girlfriend half the value of his house. Perhaps he felt it was the right thing to do. Most likely he didn't get legal advice and felt he was avoiding a costly lawsuit.

Understand your rights and obligations when making major life decisions and don't be afraid to get legal advice.


What's Happening this Week at KW Lifestyles?

Thinking about investing in Real Estate? 
... Come to our Real Estate Investor Seminar Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at 7:00pm in our training room at my office!

Open to everyone - Call or text me at 519-671-2773 so that I can save you a seat and answer any questions. 

COMING SOON!

Listen up my Real Estate Investors!

My BFF - Susan Jameson, CMA  
will be my Guest Blogger.

Her topic will be of interest to individuals and small businesses who are interested in business and tax advice.

Susan is my "go to" person when I need advice.

I can't wait!  See her blog: 

 http://seajameson.blogspot.ca/2013/01/blog-name-change.html

December 2012 London MLS Listing Stats

232 - Listings

147 - Sales

$259,836 - Average Sale Price

Five Most Effective Ways to Invest in Your Career: Method 5

Art by Juergen Schmidt   bhjschmidt@hotmail.com

Method 5.
Invest in Your Family and Personal Life:

Create Balance and Strengthen Your Career.

Balance is the key to success – in both business and in life. Contribute to the success of your career by investing in work/life balance and dedicating more time and attention to your personal and family life.

My family and personal friends are an essential component to my career success. They help clear my mind and enrich my points of view.

Engaging in activities separate from your career allows you to broaden your observations through a different lens and appreciate new types of ideas and ideals that can help shape your thinking and contribute to your professional growth.

Invest the right way and more effectively manage your career. Think of your investment as a personal enrichment process: an investment that is always working for you because it focuses on making you a better person both in and outside of the workplace.

From Glenn Llopis - The Immigrant's Perspective - Forbes

• Email or follow-me on Twitter @GlennLlopis.  Like us on Facebook!   Join our LinkedIn Group.
• Visit Glenn Llopis Training (online video-based training) and receive 15% off with the code “GLG“

My take on Glenn Llopis article:
     All work and no play makes us very dull people. Having a career in Real Estate sales includes "time of the essence" moments. Not all the time though. I have found that when I treated my personal time as an important "appointment", everyone wins - my family, my clients, my life.

That concludes the series about ways to invest in your business. I promise next week will be fun and informative!

What's Happening this Week?

- Real Estate Career Night

Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 at 7:00pm in our training room at my office!

Open to everyone - including seasoned Realtors looking for a new, better way - as well as people wondering if Real Estate is a career for them.

 

Call or text me at 519-671-2773 so that I can save you a seat and answer any questions. It's a good day!

COMING SOON!

Listen up my Real Estate investors!

My BFF +Susan Jameson, CMA  
will be my Guest Blogger.

Her topic will be of interest to individuals and small businesses who are interested in business and tax advice.

Susan is my "go to" person when I need advice.

I can't wait!  See her blog: 

 http://seajameson.blogspot.ca/2013/01/blog-name-change.html

December 2012 London MLS Listing Stats

232 - Listings

147 - Sales

$259,836 - Average Sale Price





Look for London Listings by going to my website www.sellinglondonon.com to find the latest listings



Four of Five Most Effective Ways to Invest in Your Career

Art by Andrea Linker   @ Facebook page: In Memory of Andrea Linker: Looking Back

Method 4. Invest in a Career Coach: 

Sustain Your Momentum

Staying focused can be difficult with so many different responsibilities to manage. This is why most people lose momentum when attempting to advance their careers. Most people start and stop the career management process – finding it difficult to manage their time.

Make career management a new best practice; a process that becomes an embedded part of your daily activities, goals and objectives. If possible, invest in a career coach to increase your commitment levels and hold yourself accountable. Today’s competitive landscape requires you to stay on track by investing in someone that can provide you with the tools and perspective to keep you focused.

From Glenn Llopis - The Immigrant's Perspective - Forbes

• Email or follow-me on Twitter @GlennLlopis.  Like us on Facebook!   Join our LinkedIn Group.
• Visit Glenn Llopis Training (online video-based training) and receive 15% off with the code 
• “GLG“

My thoughts:

Yes! I get derailed all the time by the distraction (or delusion) of being busy. I have adopted some methods to help keep my on track. In addition to a coach, I have regular appointments to call or meet other Realtors who I respect for accountability sessions. I use a unique appointment book that Rob Ruddell shared with me that keeps my goals, my tasks and my appointments front and centre. Time management is key to business and by extension - personal life happiness.

What's New and Exciting this Week?

Ignite topic: 4-1-1 Time Management: Show and Tell!
Sharing our 411 for the week and for January. Those new and not so new to 411 time management can review and learn together. 
Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 at 9:15 in our training room at my office!

Free and is open to everyone - that includes you!

Call or text me at 519-671-2773 so that I can save you a seat and answer any questions. It's a good day!

Interested in a career in Real Estate?

Let's Talk!

Call or Text me at 519-671-2773

or email info@sellinglondonon.com

December 2012 London MLS Listing Stats

232 - Listings

147 - Sales

$259,836 - Average Sale Price



See the newest Listings

by going to my website

 www.sellinglondonon.com 

Three of Five Most Effective Ways to Invest in Your Career

Art by Juergen Schmidt  @bhjschmidt@hotmail.com

Step Three:
Invest in the Right Relationships

Give Them Time and Attention. Build a personal advisory board who can properly guide your career goals. Identify your circle of influence. Who are they today? Are they guiding you rightly? Are you truly investing in these relationships in ways that are continually helping you move your career in the direction you want it to go?

Invest in how to network the right way. Your networking should be viewed as a professional development boot camp (read about this on Glenn's website cited below). Learn to value your time and how to connect with the right people.

Nurture the relationships that matter most. Give them proper time and attention and keep the most meaningful relationships active at all times.

From Glenn Llopis - The Immigrant's Perspective - Forbes

• Email or follow-me on Twitter @GlennLlopis.  Like us on Facebook!  
• Join our LinkedIn Group.
• Visit Glenn Llopis Training

My thoughts about Step 3:
I am attracted to people who are smarter and more influencial than I am.  I have relied on their experience, wisdom, support and SANITY when making significant personal and business decisions to take my life in the direction I wanted to go. Thank you Jim, Richard, Jane, Jeff, Maria, Iny, Susan, Lilly. 


What's New and Exciting this Week?

4-1-1 Time Management seminar on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 at noon at my office!

This seminar is free and is open to everyone - that includes you!

Call or text me at 519-671-2773 so that I can save you a seat or answer any questions. I'm so excited!


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Interested in a career in Real Estate?

Let's Talk!

Call or Text me at 519-671-2773

or email info@sellinglondonon.com

December 2012 London MLS Listing Stats

232 - Listings

147 - Sales

$259,836 - Average Sale Price

See the newest Listings

by going to my website

 www.sellinglondonon.com 

5 Most Effective Ways to Invest in Your Career: #2

Art by Juergen Schmidt  @bhjschmidt@hotmail.com

Five Most Effective Ways to Invest in Your Career:  
Step 2. Never stop Learning. 

Invest your time to acquire the right intelligence and know-how that will accelerate your career advancement. For example, most people want to build their personal brand – yet don’t invest in the process of developing one and thus miss opportunities along the way.

Never assume that you don’t need to get smarter, wiser and more strategic about how to better manage your career. Be proactive. Get to know the goals the industry you are serving desires to achieve and how you can contribute.

Build relationships with key thought leaders.

Identify the best executive search firms that can support the career path you seek – and get to know what your direct competitors are doing to secure the position(s) you may be targeting      
   
 .... From Glenn Llopis - The Immigrant's Perspective - Forbes. Email or follow-me on Twitter @GlennLlopis.  Like us on Facebook!   Join our LinkedIn Group. Visit Glenn Llopis Training (online video-based training) and receive 15% off with the code “GLG

Interested in a career in Real Estate? 

Let's Talk! 

Send me an email to deeS@kw.com
or call/text at 519-671-2773

December 2012 London MLS Listing Statistics

232 - Listings

147 - Sales

$259,836 - Average Sale Price



To find the latest listings 
go to my website 
www.sellinglondonOn.com