Nova Scotia's Matrimonial Property Act provides the central statutory framework for division of matrimonial assets between married spouses and registered domestic partners. Common-law partners do not simply receive the same statutory equal-division regime, so relationship status is a critical first question.
Sources checked September 29, 2026.
Matrimonial assets
The statutory regime can include the matrimonial home and a broad range of family assets, subject to exclusions and specific rules.
- matrimonial home
- savings and investments
- vehicles and household property
Excluded or non-matrimonial property
Gifts, inheritances, damages, insurance proceeds, business assets and post-separation property can raise exclusion or classification issues.
- gifts and inheritances
- business assets
- post-separation acquisitions
Pensions and retirement assets
Pension division can involve the Matrimonial Property Act plus the legislation governing the particular pension plan.
- provincial pensions
- federal pensions
- CPP credit splitting
Debts and valuation
Property division requires identifying liabilities as well as assets and determining relevant values.
- joint debts
- asset valuation
- disclosure
Matrimonial home and exclusive possession
A court can address temporary exclusive possession without finally determining ownership or division.
- exclusive possession
- interim relief
- sale or final division
Official sources
- Nova Scotia Family Law — Matrimonial Property, Pensions & Debts
- Nova Scotia Family Law — Family Law Legislation