Child and spousal support
When there are children, one parent will often pay support for them to the other. The federal Divorce Act as well as provincial/territorial statutes are the laws that address child support, which have generally similar provisions.
Likewise, spousal support is governed by the same federal and territorial laws. Only people who are legally married to one another and seeking a divorce can use the Divorce Act. People who have been in a common-law relationship must use provincial/territorial legislation.
Property division
Whether people are married and seeking a divorce or living in a common-law relationship, when they separate they will have to divide up their property using the legislation of the province or territory where they live. Property to be divided includes such things as houses, vehicles, investments, pensions, art, jewellery and debt.
Generally, when people are married, they must divide any property accumulated during the marriage 50/50.
People in common-law relationships do not have an automatic legal entitlement to a 50/50 split of property.