Q.: Did you know there’s no laws in Alberta to deal with property accumulated in a common-law relationship?

A.:            Many people are under the assumption that Alberta has legislation which states what someone is “entitled to” in the event two people who live together but only one person owns property in the relationship. This is not the case. Property division can become a contentious issue resulting in a trial if an agreement cannot be reached on the division of property accumulated during a common-law relationship. There is no “six-month rule” or waiting period relating to the property accumulated in a common-law relationship in Alberta; issues can arise immediately after the relationship begins or the property is accumulated.