Adam Black reviews why the date of separation in a marriage breakup can be a contentious and costly issue in his latest column in the National Post

When it comes time to sort out the issues arising from the breakdown of a marriage, the precise date a couple separates can have significant ramifications.

But unlike the date of marriage, which can be determined simply by reference to a marriage certificate or other similar document, determining the date of separation can be a complex and contentious matter.

Consider, for example, the common situation in which the spousal relationship has ended but the parties continue to reside in the same home. In that scenario, one spouse can’t simply point to the event of the other spouse moving out of the home as being determinative of the date of separation.