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ARTICLE · 08 MAY 2021

Living Apart Together Relationships

Miller Thomson
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Can two people qualify as "spouses" if they do not live together? This post looks at "living apart together" (or "LAT") relationships from the perspective of spousal support...

CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Christopher Crisman-Cox
Christopher Crisman-Cox
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Can two people qualify as "spouses" if they do not live together? This post looks at "living apart together" (or "LAT") relationships from the perspective of spousal support.

Long-term, committed LAT relationships are not entirely uncommon. For a variety of reasons, a couple may live in separate residences. They may do so as a lifestyle choice, because they each enjoy having autonomous space. Or they may be practically forced to do so, perhaps as a result of working in different towns.

A LAT couple may still be considered "spouses" for the purposes of being entitled to support, depending on the particular circumstances of the relationship.

Most obviously, if a LAT couple has been legally married, then they will remain married even if they are living apart. As a married couple, they would qualify as spouses for support purposes under both the Divorce Act or the Family Law Act.

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