rrsp

[garibaldi]

worked 30 yrs contributing rrsp every year,ending 18 yr common law relationship,is all rrsp included in asset division or only 18 yrs worth,any comments appreciated

[Mess]

In a common law situation you do not normally split assets, including RRSP.

If she contributed to your RRSP then she has a case for a share. If you made consistant promises to her, or she had some reasonable reason to believe, that she would have a full share of your retirement, then she may have a claim to a constructive trust. However constructive trusts don't exist automatically, they have to be found by the court. Be honest with yourself, if she felt the relationship was permanent, she was a stay-at-home spouse taking care of the home, you were the only one with savings, then she would have an argument. On the other hand, if she worked and had opportunity to have her own savings then she doesn't have an argument.