Separation: what you need to know

Separation is often a difficult time, not only emotionally, but also in practical and legal terms. Whether you’re a married couple or a couple in a civil, parental or common-law union, it’s important to understand your rights and obligations. This will allow you to make informed decisions and protect what’s important to you.

Figure out your type of union

You must first figure out your type of union: marriage, civil union, parental union or common-law union. The rules aren’t the same for each type of union. If you aren’t sure, consult a lawyer or notary.

How separation works for each type of union

If your situation allows it, you can try to separate by agreement. This can be done through family mediation. It’s available to all couples. You can even get a few hours of free family mediation.

If you can’t agree, you’ll have to ask the court to make your separation official. Married couples must get a court decision even if they separate by agreement. The court you can go to will depend on your type of union.

Marriage

Married couples must get a court judgement to make their separation official. There are two ways to separate:

• Legal separation (also known as “separation from bed and board”): you stay married without living together.
• Divorce: it officially ends the marriage. For more information on this procedure, see our article on legal reasons for divorce and on the divorce court process.

Civil union

Couples in a civil union can separate with:

• a joint declaration in front of a notary, if the exes agree on all issues related to their separation,  
• or a judgement of the Unified Family Tribunal.

Usually, couples in a civil union must try family mediation before going to court.

These couples can also participate in a conciliation meeting with a judge of the Unified Family Tribunal to try to reach an agreement.

Parental union

Couples in a parental union don’t need a court judgement to end their relationship.

However, exes who disagree on issues like child custody or dividing property or who want to make their agreement official may have to go to the Unified Family Tribunal. Usually, couples in a parental union must try family mediation before going to court.

These couples can also participate in a conciliation meeting with a judge of the Unified Family Tribunal to try to reach an agreement.

For more information on going to court, see our articles on separation of couples in a parental union: getting help and separation of couples in a parental union: going to court.

Common-law union

Couples in a common-law union don’t need a court judgement to separate. They can settle their separation themselves.

However, exes may have to go to court if they want to make their agreement official or if they disagree on some issues like child custody or the dividing of property.

For more information on going to court to separate, see our article on where to get help when separating from a common-law partner and on the court process when common-law couples separate.

Issues to settle when you separate

A separation involves many decisions. The main decisions to be made relate to property, housing, money and children.

Property and housing

You’ll have to decide: 

• who stays in the family residence (whether the residence was rented or bought),
• how furniture, vehicles and other objects will be divided,
• who will be responsible for debts and bills accumulated during the union.

Money, pensions and compensation

Dividing the patrimony

Married couples and couples in a civil union must divide the family patrimony. Couples in a parental union must divide the parental union patrimony.

This patrimony includes the value of the family residence, furniture and vehicles used by the family.

Financial support for an ex-spouse

Married couples and couples in a civil union can get financial support for an ex-spouse. These couples can ask the court to set one or reach an agreement together.

Couples in a parental union or in a common-law union can get this financial support on a voluntary basis if both partners agree to it.

Compensatory allowance and unjust enrichment

If the separation creates a financial imbalance between the exes, two recourses may be available.

• Compensatory allowance: Married couples, couples in a civil union and couples in a parental union can ask for a compensatory allowance to compensate a financial imbalance. For more information, see our articles on the compensatory allowance for married couples or couples in a civil union and on the compensatory allowance for couples in a parental union.  
• Amounts for unjust enrichment: Couples in a common-law union can ask for compensation for unjust enrichment, if one ex lost wealth to help their ex-partner, who became richer as a result. For more information, consult JuridiQC’s webpage on unjust enrichment (french only).

Pension plans

During a separation, some rules also apply to a retirement pensions or retirement savings plans. For more information, consult Retraite Quebec page on the rules that apply after a separation.

Children

During a separation, parents must agree on: 

• child custody,
• the rights of the parents who doesn’t have custody, like access rights,
• the child support payments.

Even after parents separate, they both keep their parental authority. This means that they must keep making important decisions together. These decisions must be in their children’s best interests.

Why talk to a legal professional

A separation can have important long-term consequences. A lawyer or notary can help you:

• understand your rights and obligations,
• write or review an agreement with your ex,
• protect your property, parental rights and children,
• ask for compensation if needed.