Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 07 NOVEMBER 2016

Pension Blunders Botch Up Divorce

The Ross Firm
Explore more from The Ross Firm

Financial shenanigans during divorce are not atypical, especially where property division is at stake.

CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
The Ross Firm
The Ross Firm

On behalf of Jenn McMillan of The Ross Firm Professional Corporation posted in Family/Matrimonial Law on Thursday, October 27, 2016.

Financial shenanigans during divorce are not atypical, especially where property division is at stake. Undisclosed facts, false numbers, hidden assets – they might be no surprise coming from one's ex-, but when the government is the culprit, the result can be a colossal bureaucratic mess. That's what one Ottawa woman discovered when pension errors came to light only after she signed away half her property.

Separation Agreement Based On False Information

Laura Provost and her husband of 24 years decided to call it quits a year and a half after she retired from her post at the Canada Revenue Agency. Both had received pension reports and relied on the accuracy of the information therein to split their property. The ex-couple settled their terms amicably in a separation agreement.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Before December 31: A Cross-Border Estate Planning Check-Up For Canadian Families

Canadian families with U.S. connections face unique estate planning challenges that require regular review. This comprehensive guide examines eight critical areas—from wills and powers of attorney to cross-border trusts and reporting obligations—that warrant attention before year-end, particularly when family circumstances, asset values, or residency status have changed.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Altro LLP
Altro LLP
Article

Canada-US Estate Planning: A Complete Guide For Snowbirds And Cross-Border Families

Canadians who own US property, hold American investments, or have family members with US citizenship face a complex web of estate tax obligations spanning two countries. Without proper coordination, your heirs could face double taxation, frozen assets during lengthy Florida probate proceedings, or unexpected tax bills that consume a significant portion of their inheritance.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Altro LLP
Altro LLP
Article

Ontario Probate: A Step-by-Step Guide For Executors (Including Estates With US Property)

Ontario probate requires court certification, estate administration tax of up to 1.5%, and careful navigation of cross-border rules when US property is involved. Executors face strict timelines, fiduciary duties, and potential personal liability, while proper planning through multiple wills and beneficiary designations can significantly reduce both costs and delays.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Altro LLP
Altro LLP
Article

Estate Freeze Alert: Ontario Court Of Appeal Rules Trust Interest Is Not A Gift After Marriage

A family trust settled by a parent after a child’s marriage would normally be considered a “gift after marriage,” excluded from equalization under Ontario’s Family Law Act. In Lang-Newlands v. Newlands, 2026 ONCA 530 [Lang-Newlands], the Ontario Court of Appeal (the “Court”) held otherwise. The Court found that because the trust’s value derived entirely from shares the beneficiary already owned at the date of marriage, her interest in the trust was not a gift, and she now faces a substantial equalization payment.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson
Article

The Supreme Court Of Canada Recognizes A New Tort Of Intimate Partner Violence

The Supreme Court of Canada has established a groundbreaking new common law tort of Intimate Partner Violence, fundamentally changing how survivors can seek civil remedies for coercive and controlling behavior in intimate relationships. This landmark decision introduces a legal framework that recognizes patterns of abuse beyond traditional assault claims, focusing on the cumulative nature of coercive control that strips victims of their dignity, autonomy and equality. Courts across Canada are now beginning
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
Article

Canadian Citizenship By Descent: Canada Expands Eligibility Under Bill C-3

Many people may be surprised and pleased to learn that there is a new path to becoming a Canadian citizen. The Government of Canada passed Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025), on December 15, 2025. Before this legislation came into effect, Canadian citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born outside Canada. For example, Emily was born or naturalized in Canada, and she could pass her citizenship to her child, Duncan, born outside of Canada.
CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
O'Sullivan Estate Lawyers LLP
O'Sullivan Estate Lawyers LLP