Separation
Spouses who have separated are still legally married, even if there is a court order of separation. Manitoba law covers separation matters between spouses or between common-law partners, such as parenting arrangements (custody and access), financial support for separated spouses and common-law partners or their children, and division of property. Information about family law that uses the term spouses will usually apply to common-law partners as well, however the legal term in Manitoba for two unmarried persons in a common-law relationship is common-law partner, so it is important to be aware of the different terms.
A court order or formal separation agreement is not required for spouses to separate — they may simply live separate and apart. However, particularly when there are children or issues relating to property or financial support, it is recommended for separating spouses to have a written separation agreement, family arbitration award, or court order. For more information and options on how to resolve your separation, visit the Resolution section of our website.
Common-Law Relationships
Many people think that after a couple lives together for a certain number of years, they become legally married, although they have never formally married. This is not true. These kinds of relationships are often called common-law relationships. They are not the same as legal marriages.
In certain circumstances, the law does give unmarried partners or common-law partners many of the same rights and responsibilities that married couples have. How the law affects any person will depend on the facts of the particular case. If you have a legal problem or need specific advice, it is best to consult a lawyer who practises family law.
When do couples become common-law partners?
People who live together in a conjugal or marriage-like relationship are often referred to in Manitoba family laws as common-law partners. There is no single definition of common-law partners or a common-law relationship in Manitoba law.
Some laws say that common-law partners must live together for a specified period of time before each partner acquires certain rights or responsibilities. Other laws require that the two people must intend to live together in a conjugal relationship on a permanent basis, but do not set out a specific length of time.
However, every Manitoba law that includes a definition of common-law partner, includes couples who have registered their relationship with the Vital Statistics Agency, no matter how long the registered couple has lived together. It is important to look at the particular law to find out whether or not a couple qualify as common-law partners under that law.
Registering a common-law relationship is completely voluntary. Common-law couples are not required to register. A common-law relationship may be registered by completing and filing a simple form with the Vital Statistics Agency. For information on registering a common-law relationship, the fees for registering, and certificates proving registration, contact:
Vital Statistics Agency
254 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0B6
Phone: 204-945-3701
Service en français: 204-945-5500
Toll free: 1-866-949-9296
Fax: 204-948-3128
E-mail: vitalstats@gov.mb.ca
Website: Vital Statistics
How are common-law partners treated under Manitoba Law?
Common-law partners who have:
- registered their common-law relationship with the Vital Statistics Agency
- lived together for at least one year and have a child together
- lived together for at least three years if there are no children of the relationship
have the same rights under The Family Law Act as legally married spouses, including the right to seek spousal support.
Children
Children born to married spouses and those born to common-law partners have equal legal status and rights. The Family Law Act gives unmarried parents certain rights respecting parenting of their children. If the parents have lived together after the birth of their child, they have joint parenting rights of the child, unless a court orders otherwise. If the parents have never lived together after the child’s birth, the parent with whom the child lives has sole parenting rights, unless a court orders otherwise. The Family Law Act also has provisions for determining the parentage of a child when this is in dispute. These provisions are discussed in the Parenting section of this website.
Court applications for orders relating to parenting arrangements (custody or access) respecting children of common-law relationships, are no different from applications involving children of married parents. The court’s decisions are based on the best interests of the children involved, and the court must consider a number of specific best interests criteria in deciding cases involving parenting arrangements.
Similarly, parents have equal responsibilities to support their children, whether married to the child’s other parent or not. The Manitoba Child Support Guidelines Regulation applies to unmarried parents and to those who are married (unless the Divorce Act applies and one parent lives outside Manitoba, in which case the Federal Child Support Guidelines apply).
Family Violence/ Domestic Violence
A common-law partner who is seeking protective relief under The Family Law Act does not need to show the relationship has lasted any particular amount of time. Under The Domestic Violence and Stalking Act, people who have lived together in a spousal or intimate relationship are able to seek relief from domestic violence. Family members and people in dating relationships can also apply, whether or not they have lived together. Anyone who is being stalked and who fears for their safety is able to seek relief under this Act, and it will not be necessary to show that there has been a relationship between the parties.
Please visit the Intimate Partner Violence section of this website for more information.
Property
Manitoba’s family laws dealing with property apply to people in married and common-law relationships. The Family Property Act and many other property laws apply to common-law partners who have either registered their relationship with the Vital Statistics Agency or who have lived together for a specified period of time. The Homesteads Act also applies to common-law partners.
Please visit the Property and Death in the Family sections of this website for more information on family property laws.
Pensions
A person may be entitled to a share of their common-law partner’s pension credits under the Canada Pension Plan or under The Pension Benefits Act of Manitoba. In the case of a pension governed by The Pension Benefits Act, if the common-law partners separated before June 30, 2004, the pension-owning partner must have filed a declaration with the pension plan administrator, opting in to the sharing provision, for the pension to be shared.
Unmarried partners may have rights to information about partners’ pension plans under both the federal Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 and The Pension Benefits Act of Manitoba. Both Acts also may give a common-law partner rights to survivor’s benefits on a partner’s death.