NewsTalk 1010: Do You Have A Prenup? - Featuring Laura Paris, Shulman & Partners

Public conversations around marriage rarely focus on planning for financial protection, yet prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly relevant for couples in Ontario. In a NewsTalk 1010 appearance, Laura Paris, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP, discussed why prenups are no longer limited to high-net-worth individuals and how changing family dynamics are reshaping attitudes toward financial planning before marriage. With more young couples entering marriage with financial assistance from parents, whether through gifts, inheritances, or help purchasing property, questions around asset protection are more common. Laura explained how Ontario’s family law framework treats property differently than many people expect and why prenuptial agreements can play a practical role in clarifying expectations before marriage, rather than signaling mistrust.

“The reason that I’ve noticed this trend is that a lot of the younger generation is coming into marriage with money that they’ve actually gotten from their parents, whether it be by way of a lump sum of cash or perhaps a property that a parent has purchased or put a down payment on for them.”
— Laura Paris, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP

During the interview, Laura addressed the growing relevance of prenuptial agreements in Ontario family law. She explained that prenups are becoming more common as couples increasingly enter marriage with pre-existing assets, often supported by family wealth. Despite their growing use, prenups still carry a negative stigma, with many people associating them with an expectation of divorce or assumptions about financial motives.

Laura clarified that, under Ontario’s Family Law Act, property owned prior to marriage is generally protected through a deduction mechanism, except for the matrimonial home, which is treated differently. Even when one spouse owns a home before marriage, the increase in its value during the marriage is typically subject to division unless a prenuptial agreement states otherwise. This distinction often surprises couples who assume premarital ownership alone is enough to protect assets.

The discussion also highlighted the differences between Canadian and U.S. approaches to property division, noting that Ontario generally follows a 50/50 division of net family property upon separation. Prenuptial agreements allow couples to contract out of certain default rules, particularly when it comes to increases in value of premarital assets.

Laura emphasized that prenups are not about predicting failure but about transparency and planning. For couples bringing significant assets into a marriage, especially gifts or property from parents, these agreements can provide clarity and reduce conflict if a relationship later ends. As financial realities evolve, prenuptial agreements are increasingly viewed as a practical tool rather than an emotional one.