News room/ Press Releases
Media Contacts
For more information on the Commission des services juridiques, members of the media should contact Mr Nadine Koussa, Communications responsible at 514-873-3562 ext: 5249.
Press Releases
Press Releases 2008
Information campaign on the legal reality of being in a de facto union
Montreal, May 22, 2008. – Me Denis Roy, chairman of the Commission des services juridiques (CSJ), launched an information campaign entitled Your de facto union, a wise choice? aimed at raising the awareness of de facto spouses regarding the legal implications of their commitment.
Opting to live in a de facto union may be a good life choice if both spouses understand and accept all the legal consequences of their situation. Unfortunately, many myths persist regarding de facto unions. Many de facto spouses are wrong in thinking that they have the same rights and obligations as married persons. These misperceptions can create conflicts that are resolvable only in the courts. However, with good planning, certain disputes can be avoided.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2006, 34.6% of Québec families consisted of couples living in de facto unions. Today, free unions are a key feature of this province's families.
A practical checklist for living together as a couple
The CSJ is making a practical checklist available to the general public free-of charge. It summarizes in point form the basic things that anyone in a de facto union should know and do before, during and after living together. The checklist is a useful tool that provides practical guidance and lists the things both spouses should do to ensure that their respective rights and obligations are respected. The checklist raises some major issues such as the dividing up property, succession and alimony entitlements.
« Our objective is to impress on people how important it is to be aware of the legal consequences of living in a de facto union; the decision to do must be carefully thought through and then can be adapted to individual circumstances », explained Me Denis Roy.
The checklist is available at all legal aid offices throughout Québec. The electronic version of the checklist can also be downloaded from the CSJ website (www.csj.qc.ca), which has a good deal of supplementary information.
This initiative falls within the mission of the CSJ which includes the mandate to inform the public about its legal rights and obligations. This is the second checklist issued by the CSJ. The first one dealt with the legal implications of buying a used vehicle.
About the Commission des services juridiques
The Commission des services juridiques is the agency charged with applying the Legal Aid Act in Québec. Legal aid may be granted to anyone who is financially eligible, in order to cover various legal services involving civil, family, administrative or criminal matters or matters relating to youth law.
For further information, contact Marie-Noëlle Trottier by phone at 514 873-3562, or by e-mail at the following address: mntrottier@csj.qc.ca.
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Source :
Marie-Noëlle Trottier,
agente d’information
514 873-3562