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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ja nu ar y 25 ,2 01 8 | 12 Schaefer Optometry Professional Corporation CIBC Plaza in Georgetown South 905.873.2077 moderneyesoptometry.ca LITIGATIONlegal matters I have separated from my spouse. How do I know if I am entitled to spousal support? The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. Q A ASK THE PROFESSIONAL Todd C. Hein Litigation Lawyer Proud member of B2C Halton Hills OFFICE LOCATIONS GEORGETOWN 8 Guelph Street 905 452 7400 BRAmPTON OFFICE (main) 350 Rutherford Road S., Suite 320 905 452 7400 CALEDON EAST 15955 Airport Road, Suite 201 905 584 4545 Both married and "common law" spouses can make a claim for spousal support. Common law spouses must have either cohabitated continuously for a period of 3 years or more, or have cohabitated in a relationship of some permanence and have natural or adoptive children together. Gender is not an issue; both men and women may claim spousal support. In fact, I am seeing more husbands claiming spousal support than ever before. The courts will consider the means, needs and other circumstances of each spouse, including assets and liabilities, age and health, the duration of the relationship, whether there are children of the relationship, and the functions performed by each spouse during the relationship, to determine whether and how much spousal support. Essentially, spousal support will try and redress the economic consequences of the relationship, relieve the economic hardship arising from the breakdown of the relationship, and promote economic self-sufficiency. The courts will invariably consider what the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (or "SSAG's") provide in terms of the amount of, and duration for which spousal support is payable. Generally, conduct, e.g. adultery, is not relevant as we generally have a no-fault family law system. If there is a written agreement between the spouses, e.g. a marriage contract or cohabitation agreement, then it may deal with spousal support and should be referred to. We are a full service firm that does a lot of family law. We are happy to meet you for a free consultation about your matter at one of our three offices, including 8 Guelph Street, Georgetown, in the Lounsbury Life & Group Insurance Benefits building. Have a great weekend. SALES, SERVICE, RENT-ALL INC. 334 Guelph Street Georgetown, Ontario L7G 4B5 Tel: 905-877-0157 Fax: 905-877-0159 www.adamsequipment.ca Hours of operation: 7:30 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday; 8 am to 5 pm Saturday; Closed on Sunday We Service All Indoor and Outdoor Home Equipment Rentals For EVERY need! • Tools & Lawn Equipment • Skidsteers, Excavators &Trenchers • Light Construction Equipment Book your uPCoMING eveNt today & reCeIve a CoMPlIMeNtary MeNu uPGrade valued at $350! Whether it's a small gathering or a large gala, celebrate in style at Eagle Ridge. For more information about event services or to secure your date, contact Bill Dhaliwal 905-877-8468 ext 2223 | bdhaliwal@clublink.ca *Offer expires Jan. 31, 2018. Some exclusions apply, contact us for details. EaglE RiDgE gOlF cluB | RR #4, 11742 TEnTh linE, gEORgETOWn, On | eagleridge.clublink.ca THREE COURSE Meal & Buffet Selections Available let us host your next event Despite long stretches of frigid weather in the area this winter, Mother Nature hasn't been co-operating with town staff in efforts to get three outdoor rinks in Georgetown and Acton up and running. Warm spells in consecu- tive weeks have thwarted a couple of attempts by pub- lic works department em- ployees to build a base of ice and erect boards at Ac- ton's Prospect Park and 3 Musketears Park, as well as on one of the baseball di- amonds at Fairgrounds Park in Georgetown. "We're fighting a losing battle so far this year," said Town of Halton Hills super- intendent of public works Dick Spear. "It's a difficult thing to keep going. I love nothing more than seeing a bunch of kids out on an outdoor rink, (but) our staff is in- volved with winter control when the bad stuff is hap- pening - they're plowing, salting and sanding. When they get the chance they get back to the rinks, but at some point you have to draw a line with the chang- es in weather." The town hasn't ruled out trying to build the rinks again this winter if the weather is agreeable, although Speak pointed out that prime time for ice making is running out and that budgetary responsi- bilities must also be taken into consideration. "When you get the cold- to mild, cold-to-mild weather like we've had, it just causes pot holes like crazy," he added. NEWS Outdoor rinks a washout in Halton Hills Boards that would be used to build an ice rink at Georgetown Fairgrounds sit idle as the fluctuating temperatures during the month of January have prevented Town of Halton Hills Public Works staff from getting the work started. The case is the same for two municipally run outdoor rinks in Acton. Eamonn Maher photo