Ask a Lawyer: Insolvency, Bankruptcy, and Foreclosures
Ask a Lawyer is a public chat forum, where you can ask lawyers for very general information. Because it is public, your questions, comments, and responses are not confidential. Please contact a lawyer in our Directory directly if you need a private opinion about your specific circumstances.
Hello. If 2 people have lived together for 5 years. Do not share anything financially, do not have shared bank accounts, do not file taxes together, do not own anything together. No children together. Can one person be penalized for the other person's debts with the government? Does "common law" come into play even if you haven't filed as common law with the government?
Even if people are "common law", "adult interdependent partners", or spouses, that doesn't give creditors the right to go after the partner/spouse. The partner/spouse would have had to agreed to or guarantee the debt.
There are some exceptions though, for example if you transfer property to a partner/spouse and then they sell it for more than the original purchase price and don't pay their capital gains tax, then the government can sometimes pursue the original owning partner/spouse for the tax. I'd recommend speaking to a lawyer to determine whether an exception applies.
011 months ago
You must log in or sign up to reply to conversations.
DISCLAIMER: The information herein is not legal, tax, or accounting advice or opinions.
This website contains content and files submitted by third parties, to which you download or view at your own risk.
The Alberta Legal Coaches and Limited Services Society is merely a directory, it is not responsible for the actions or omissions of the lawyers listed in its directory.
By using this website, you agree to release the Alberta Legal Coaches and Limited Services Society, its agents, employees, and directors from all present and future claims and liability, including liability arising from any negligence.
