what counts as living together? - common law application question

[ytzmarlon]

Hello friends,

To be common law we have to be living together for one year. But does that mean living together alone? I came to Slovakia to be with my girlfriend, my visa is valid for one year. When we came, I spent the first two weeks at her parents house, while we searched for our place. I have my cellphone bill at that address. In our own apartment, we have the lease agreement under both our names, and have other documents connecting us both to this address. When we do return to Toronto our lease agreement would be 11 months and 2 weeks. Does the two weeks at her parents house count as living together?

Also, in Toronto, we will be staying with my parents. (house, 3 bedrooms - separate vacant basement apartment.) Will this also count as living together, or does the fact that we are living rent free in my parents home cancel out the 'living together'?

Thanks again!

 

[Rob_TO]

It all counts as living together.

Both sets of parents can write statutory/notarized declarations that you were both living there for those dates. Or even create simple rental agreements they can sign and get notarized that specify the dates, even if no money was required.

 

[ytzmarlon]

I appreciate the response, many thanks Rob from TO