Parental Union and Cohabitation Agreements

Like a well-rooted tree, we protect what is important to you.

Did you know that common-law partners without children, despite the existence of a relationship of economic dependency:

Do not benefit from the protection of the family residence or the division of family assets
Do not receive spousal support
Will be entitled to keep the property and savings of which they are the legal owner, regardless of who paid the down payment, related loans (mortgages), or other assets or expenses such as furniture, cars, boats, or groceries.

However, common-law partners whose child is born on or after June 30, 2025, could be considered to be in a parental union.

Parental union is a legal framework for common-law partners who are the parents of a child together. In addition to this criterion, it is necessary to live together and be publicly recognized as a couple to benefit from this regime. This system aims to protect children’s rights and promote the stability of their lifestyle in the event of their parents’ separation.

Among other consequences of forming a parental union, a joint estate is established by law alone, pooling certain assets of each parent. If you would like to learn more about parental union or avoid its application to your family, contact us for a consultation.

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Parental Union Regime and Agreements

In addition to the parental union regime, common-law partners can, through a cohabitation agreement, stipulate how the shared residence, vehicles, common household assets, and even RRSPs and pension funds will be divided in the event of separation. Such a customized agreement could include:

How to divide common property in the event of separation
The sharing of responsibilities and contributions of each partner during the union
The assets and debts that each partner owns at the beginning of the union
The terms of debt repayment in the event of separation
The payment of child support in the event of separation
The sharing of eligible earnings as determined by the Régie de rentes du Québec (RRQ) or a supplemental pension plan

Parental Union and Cohabitation Agreements

Like a well-rooted tree, we protect what is important to you.

Did you know that common-law partners without children, despite the existence of a relationship of economic dependency:

Parental Union Regime and Agreements

Exercising parental authority

Child custody

Separation or divorce

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