considering leaving common law partner

[Carrie123]

hi, i need some advice. I have been living with a man for 4 years. But i am thinking of leaving. I left my job in another province to come to his and he did not need me to go back to work.

Since my research on the subject, it seems that there will be no support or help if i leave since i did not contribute large sums of money toward any major house renovations or anything. I am trying to figure out my rights and what would happen if i left. There is nothing of his that i need. We both have no children and i have no debts. Would i be homeless.

Any info would help greatly.

thank you.

[today]

What type of help or support would you be hoping to get?

[Carrie123]

really, i just would like to know that if i decide to pack up and leave, if he has to support me a little bit financially to help get a place of my own or if the government has programs to help common-law divorcees to help women start up a business or help with settling up into a new place.

I do not know if i am 100% on my own if i leave.

[standing on the sidelines]

I gues if he didn't need you to work then he has a nice paying job. Maybe see if he would be willing to help you relocate back to your home province and first and last on a place.

[Mess]

I'm not sure why the government would have programs for common law divorcees. The federal government has various programs for businesses, if you have a business plan you can apply to Industry Canada. There also might be programs provincially, and more likely you could apply for a training program with your provincial goverment, usually ministry of labour (name may depend on the province.)

As far as spousal support, because you quit your job and moved to a different province, you have a decent argument for spousal support. It would not be a long period, probably one year. If you had not moved it would be much less likely to receive support after only a two year relationship.

[Carrie123]

really-that's very interesting-i was not aware of. How does one go about proceeding. Do i need a lawyer and to go to court.

[logicalvelocity]

Stuff Happens. Nothing like planning ahead and surfacing some leverage.

Have you considered making a deal with the individual and avoid the litigation scene altogether. If it's pointed out to them what they will have to pay by way of legal fees to defend... What's that alone going to cost them? 5K retainer to start.... Lump Sum in lieu is the way to go so that you may re-establish yourself.

[Carrie123]

thank you very much-i get the impression that i could get some finacial support for up to a year-no guarantee. But the fees and hassles could be horrendous in itself. We have not split up yet, and it could still work out. I just like to be proactive. Thanks to everyone for their input. Every input helps.

Carrie

[dadtotheend]

For the amount of SS that you could be entitled, it's hardly worth litigating. Cut a deal with him whereby you gives you a lump sum in lieu of a year or so of SS, which you can use to get of Dodge and set yourself up elsewhere.

The amount will depend on how much you were making when you left your job and how much he makes now.

Just brainstorming without benefit of any of the numbers asked above, would $5K get you started, and/or finished?

[Carrie123]

yes i think that 5k would be-IF of course he agreed. I assume that he would have to do it by will and not law. I guess that by saying SS meant Spousal Support.

Before i left my province to come here i had a successful business in it's early stages. Luckily, i have no debts.