Canada: Family Law

The Supreme Court of Canada has established a new tort for intimate partner violence, extending legal recognition beyond physical abuse to include psychological control, financial manipulation, and other coercive tactics. Understanding who can sue, what conduct qualifies, and how courts will assess damages is essential for anyone navigating this emerging area of law.

Une fiducie familiale constituée par un parent après le mariage de son enfant serait normalement considérée comme un don fait après le mariage (gift after marriage) et, à ce titre, exclue du calcul de l’égalisation en vertu de la Loi sur le droit de la famille de l’Ontario. Dans l’affaire Lang-Newlands c. Newlands, 2026 ONCA 530 (« Lang-Newlands »), la Cour d’appel de l’Ontario (la « Cour ») en décide toutefois autrement. Elle conclut que, puisque la valeur de la fiducie provenait entièrement d’actions que la bénéficiaire détenait déjà à la date du mariage, son intérêt dans la fiducie ne constituait pas un don. Elle est donc désormais tenue de verser une importante somme au titre de l’égalisation.

This comprehensive summary examines six significant civil decisions from the Ontario Court of Appeal, addressing critical issues in cyber insurance coverage, wrongful dismissal, real estate commission disputes, and municipal election compliance. The cases establish important precedents on contract interpretation standards, successor employer liability, and the scope of public oversight in campaign finance audits.

In Laberge Gareau v. Laberge Gareau, 2026 ONSC 4669, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice addressed an unfortunate dispute between a mother and her two daughters over ownership of the family farm. The court found that the mother remained the beneficial owner of the property when she registered it in trust for her daughters and that she never intended to give up beneficial ownership.

When parents die with minor children, who will care for them and manage their inheritance? This article explores six critical misconceptions about appointing guardians in Ontario, from temporary appointments to cross-border complications. Understanding these nuances ensures your estate plan truly protects your children when it matters most.

A complex and challenging area of law is the intersection of trust law and family law. Ontario law, in contrast to many other common law jurisdictions, has given liberal treatment of a discretionary interest in a trust as property which can be subject to equalization under our family law legislation. See our prior blogs on this subject: Discretionary Trusts and Family Law Division: 50% of Zero is Still Zero (September 5, 2024) and Heads Up: Grappling with Family Law’s Treatment of Discretionary Trust Interests (January 6, 2015).

When separation occurs, deciding whether to stay in or leave the family home can feel overwhelming and urgent. Ontario law provides equal rights to both spouses regarding the matrimonial home...

Case conferences in Ontario family law serve as informal court appearances designed to identify issues, explore settlement opportunities, and provide parties with early judicial feedback before proceeding to contested motions or trial. These conferences offer a strategic opportunity to narrow disputes, reduce legal costs, and potentially resolve matters through candid discussion in a less adversarial setting than formal court proceedings.

Blended families in British Columbia face unique estate planning challenges when balancing the financial security of a surviving spouse with the inheritance expectations of children from previous relationships. Without proper planning, BC's default intestacy rules may distribute assets in ways that contradict your intentions and strain family relationships.