09/28/2026
In Ontario, when a marriage ends, do the spouses simply divide all their assets 50-50 down the middle?
The answer is sometimes, but not always.
Hi, my name is Ash Mazenanian. In Ontario, married spouses have the right to division of assets, also known as equalization. And equalization is not a simple 50-50 division of everything that both spouses own. Rather, equalization of net family property involves calculating the increase of each spouse’s net worth from the date of marriage until the date of separation and dividing it equally between the two spouses. What’s important to note is that in calculating a spouse’s net worth and the increase of it during the marriage, certain assets can be excluded, such as assets that were obtained by way of a gift or inheritance during the marriage and which can be traced to an asset on the date of separation. And there are some special assets, such as the matrimonial home, for which a party cannot obtain a date of marriage deduction even if they owned it on the date of marriage. Certain assets may also require special expert valuations, such as pensions or businesses. And the calculation of a party’s net family property and disputed assets can often be one of the most contentious and consequential issues in family law litigation.
But our experienced team at Mazinani and Associates Divorce Lawyers help guide you through this process.
Mazinani Divorce Lawyers
◽️(416)485-8545
◽️www.mazinanidivorcelawyers.com
◽️225 Sheppard Av. West, Toronto
