Marriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements

Modern life means protecting your assets.

Before you enter into any agreement, you should be informed, especially when there’s property involved or when a partner has been married previously. We offer services to help you decide what’s best for you, and your relationship, so you can start planning for the future. Together we can make the future brighter.

Shirley Levitan Family Law Marriage Contracts

Marriage contracts

Marriage contracts (also referred to as prenuptial agreements) are agreements entered into by two people who have plans to marry and wish to agree on their respective rights and obligations during the marriage, or upon separation, including:

  • Ownership in or division of property,
  • support obligations for spouses,
  • any other matters in the settlement of their affairs.

In Ontario, a marriage contract is valid whether it is signed before or after the marriage takes place; however, in some jurisdictions, these agreements are only valid if they are signed before the marriage takes place.

Marriage contracts are becoming more popular for a variety of reasons, including:

  • People marrying a little later in life, with accumulated assets and wealth, wish to protect themselves.
  • People entering their second marriages want to ensure their children from their first marriages are financially protected.

Whether people wish to protect only certain property, or all property, current and future, they must be very specific.  The couple must disclose all their assets, debts, and income or risk the contract being successfully challenged in the future. Contact Shirley for a no-obligation consultation.

Shirley Levitan Family Law Cohabitation Agreements

Cohabitation Agreements

A cohabitation agreement is entered into by two people who are cohabiting or intend to cohabit, are not married to each other, and wish to agree on their respective rights and obligations during, or upon ceasing their cohabitation, including:

  • Ownership in or division of property,
  • support obligations for spouses

Marriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements require a delicate balance between respecting the couple’s commitment to the relationship, and, at the same time, protecting your individual interests and security in the event of a relationship breakdown.

Shirley can craft the agreement you need to protect your interests. Call her now for a no-obligation consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Contracts & Agreements

Can I sign a ‘pre-nup’ after the wedding?

Yes. It is a common misconception that these agreements are not valid unless they are signed before the wedding. However, once people marry, the motivation to sign a marriage contract may be considerably reduced.

Contact Shirley to learn more.

Do we have to get married to have an agreement about our property?

No. If you wish to protect certain property, you can enter into a cohabitation agreement. This is a legally binding agreement; you do not have to be married for such an agreement to be valid.

Contact Shirley to learn more.

Can custody of future children be dealt with in these agreements?

No.

Testimonials

Shirley is smart, knowledgeable, no-nonsense, warm and approachable

Shirley took on my family law case after my previous lawyer had become a Judge.  It had been a complicated and challenging negotiation as my ex and his lawyer were trying to ensure that ‘no stone was left unturned’, even though there was nothing under those stones!  Shirley negotiated the final agreement to my very great satisfaction. She ensured that I was regularly informed and that I understood all the issues, and how the facts of my particular case related to the law.  Shirley is smart, knowledgeable, no-nonsense, warm and approachable. I was very pleased with the result and felt heard and well taken care of.  I highly recommend Shirley, you will be in good hands with her.

SC, Family Law Client, Toronto, Ontario

Shirley listened to our needs

We are a gay male Italian couple, and enlisted Shirley’s help with our surrogacy and egg donation journey.  From the beginning, Shirley was  knowledgeable, compassionate and diligent.  She was available on our timetable, and guided us through the many legal issues and complications.  Shirley listened to our needs and concerns with sincerity and made us feel secure and heard.  We are very happy with her assistance and can attest that you will be in very good hands with her.

GC and SP, Fertility Clients, Italy

Thank you for your guidance

I cannot thank Shirley enough for her guidance and wisdom through the negotiation of my separation agreement.  There were indeed times I was ready to ‘throw my hands up’, dig my heels in, and take it all to Court.  Shirley helped to ground me, and wisely advised that this would not be at all helpful; I would risk losing a lot going to court rather than negotiating-not to mention the high tab it would involve. When I felt down, she helped me to see the ‘silver lining’ and truly encouraged me to ‘hang in there’.  In the end, I had an agreement that dealt with all the issues that were important to me, in a way that made sense to me.  Thank you, Shirley!

HE, Family Law Client, Toronto

Shirley has gone above and beyond...

We are a same sex married couple from Australia, who are now blessed with two beautiful babies born in Ontario via egg donation and surrogacy.  From the outset, Shirley was there to guide us every step of the way.  She is knowledgeable, available and sincerely interested in helping her clients work through the maze of international surrogacy and fertility arrangements.  She was the first person we met in Canada when we began our journey, and assisted us all the way through.   Shirley also managed to organize the paper work so we were able to leave Canada and return home within record time after the birth!  She has gone ‘beyond and above’ for us in so many ways.  We are still in touch with her and our daughters continually hail ‘agoo’ in thanks to her!  We highly recommend Shirley and can attest that you will be in excellent hands with her helping you

Happy fathers, AS and JC (and our lovely twins!), Fertility Law Clients, Australia

I highly recommend Shirley!

Shirley took on my case after my previous lawyer had become a Judge.  It had been a very complicated and challenging negotiation as my ex and his lawyer were trying to ensure that ‘no stone was left unturned’, even though there was nothing under those stones!  Shirley negotiated the agreement to my very great satisfaction. She ensured that I was regularly informed and that I understood all the issues, and how the facts of my particular case related to the law.  Shirley is smart, knowledgeable, no-nonsense, warm and approachable. I was very pleased with the result and felt heard and well taken care of.  I highly recommend Shirley; you will be in excellent hands with her. “

SC, Family Law Client, Toronto, Ontario

Shirley helped me get through a very rough time

I hired Shirley on the recommendation of a friend of mine. The separation was not an easy time for me, and I needed someone strong, who, at the same time, could support me with sincerity and empathy.  I was not disappointed. Shirley guided me with patience and understanding through the maze of issues involved in my case (not simple), and negotiated an agreement directly with my ex (also not simple) until the end, when he got a lawyer to review it.  Her knowledge, experience and patience, plus how she dealt with my ex, helped get me through this very tough time. I cannot thank her enough and have recommended her numerous times since.

CR, Family Law Client, Toronto

I obtained the agreement I wanted!

I thank Shirley for her guidance, knowledge, and wisdom in settlement negotiations of my separation agreement. It was a difficult time for me, and Shirley helped me every step of the way. She made sure I felt heard, and that my goals and fears were acknowledged. It was important to me to maintain a positive relationship with my ex-husband throughout, and Shirley ensured that happened. Her patience, warmth, and experience helped to keep me grounded and focussed. I obtained the agreement I wanted, and my ex and I continue to co-parent our children with respect. A huge relief is an understatement!

SE, Family Law Client, Toronto

Shirley made this difficult process easy

Shirley Levitan BSc., LLB is phenomenal to work with. Shirley was highly recommended by one of my long-time clients as I was recently going through a divorce. Shirley made this difficult process easy, clear and had it completed fairly quickly. She took the time to explain and guide me through the negotiations, while delivering on everything she had promised. I would recommend Shirley Levitan BSc., LLB to anyone going through a divorce, as she is very knowledgeable and truly works for the best interest of her clients. She not only makes a difficult situation easy but makes herself available to answer any questions or concerns one may have. Shirley, I can’t thank you enough for your help and alleviating a lot of stress from my divorce. Thank You

PS, Family Law Client, Toronto

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