8. How is property divided in an Ontario divorce?
Ontario uses an equalization of net family property system for married spouses.
Each spouse calculates their net family property, generally by determining the value of
property owned at separation, subtracting debts, and deducting certain property owned
at marriage. The spouse with the higher net family property usually pays the other
spouse an equalization payment equal to one-half of the difference. This is a monetary
payment; Ontario courts generally do not simply divide every asset in half.
