CTV Your Morning: Married and Living With Your Parents - Insights from Shulman & Partners

With housing affordability continuing to challenge families in major Canadian cities, more couples are choosing to live with parents as a way to manage costs and share responsibilities. While multi-generational households can offer financial relief and built-in family support, they can also introduce legal uncertainty when relationships change. A recent media discussion explored how misunderstandings about financial contributions, ownership, and expectations can quickly turn into disputes if a couple separates while living in a parent’s home. Drawing on insights from Shulman & Partners LLP, the CTV Your Morning segment highlighted why clarity and documentation are critical before entering these arrangements. For families navigating shared living situations, understanding how Ontario family law treats property interests, contributions, and intention can help prevent conflict and protect everyone involved.

“A lot of these situations are long term, so you want to be careful in preserving what your interest is, if that’s what the intention is."
— Insights from Shulman & Partners LLP 

The segment focused on the growing prevalence of multi-generational households and the legal challenges that can arise when adult children and their partners move in with parents. According to recent data discussed during the interview, these living arrangements are becoming increasingly common, driven largely by rising housing costs and the need for financial flexibility.

From a family law perspective, the most common source of conflict is a misunderstanding of intention. Couples may believe that their financial contributions toward mortgage payments, property taxes, renovations, or maintenance give them an ownership interest in the home. Parents, on the other hand, may view those same payments as rent or informal help, with no expectation of sharing equity. When relationships break down, this disconnect can lead to legal disputes over whether a non-family member has acquired an interest in the property.

Shulman & Partners LLP emphasized that courts often look beyond titles and examine intention, contribution, and documentation. If a couple contributes financially or through labour without a clear agreement in place, they may attempt to claim an equitable or beneficial interest in the home. These claims are complex, fact-specific, and costly to resolve, particularly when expectations were never clearly discussed.

The segment also addressed the importance of legal planning before moving in together. Married couples living with parents may need marriage contracts to clarify financial rights between spouses, while common-law couples should consider cohabitation agreements. For parents, rental agreements can be an effective way to establish boundaries and confirm that adult children and their partners are tenants rather than owners. These agreements help clarify whether contributions are rent, shared expenses, or intended to create an interest in the property.

Another key takeaway was that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each arrangement is unique, and informal agreements or online templates often fail to reflect the realities of family dynamics and financial goals. Seeking legal advice early allows families to document their intentions clearly and reduce the risk of disputes if circumstances change.

Ultimately, the discussion reinforced that while shared living arrangements can offer meaningful benefits, they also require careful planning. Clear communication, proper documentation, and tailored legal advice can help families preserve relationships and avoid unintended legal consequences.

Watch the full CTV Your Morning segment here.

This media appearance is part of Shulman & Partners LLP’s ongoing contributions to Canadian family law discussions. Explore more of our media features in our In the Media archive.