Estate Planning-Case Study 1-Cohabitation After Divorce or Separation by Mark Courneya

The Challenge

How do you protect the transition of wealth to your children after a divorce or separation followed by a long-term relationship with a potential new common-law partner?

Lisa is a middle age female who was divorced 15 years ago. She has one child who is 35 years old. She is in a common law relationship with a new partner and they are living in a house that is jointly owned. Lisa put $300,000 into the house. Her daughter is the beneficiary of her RRSP through work and she has no cohabitation agreement with her common law spouse.