30 ~ Sunday, May 24, 1992 - North Shore News With facts and figures, problem can be solved MY HUSBAND is an engineer employed by a large engineering company in which he owns a few shares of minor value. His in- come, however, is relatively high. We purchased our home 10 years ago for $210,00, but it is now worth $475,000 with a $75,000 mortgage against it. Other than his company pension and a self-directed RRSP he has no other assets, nor do I. I don’t want to move from the home. Our three children ages 11, 14 and 16 have many friends in the area and love the schools they attend. We both agree that separation in the very near future is in the Desi interest of everyone. I know my interest in his pension and RRSP won't equal his interest in the home. I also would like to have part of his pension and RRSP for myself in the future to assist me. We are trying to work oat everything before we separate. What can be done? First, have all assets including RRSPs, pensions and the matri- monial home valued by a qualified professional in each of the areas. The pension, in particular, may be worth much more than you think. There are several possible solu- tions. One senario may have you dividing the pension, RRSP and interest in the home equally. The home, however, would remain in both of your names unsold, but you would have exclusive oc- cupancy of it until your youngest child was through his or her high school. Maintenance might be a little lower than normal in recog- nition of your husband’s con- tribution to you and = your children's housing needs . Another scenario might be that you divide the pensions and RRSPs equally and then allow your husband to mortgage his in- terest in the home which would then be in your name up to ap- proximately 40% to 50% of its overall value as long as he paid the monthly movstgage payments on the property in addition to paying you maintenance for yourself and the children. When all the facts and figures are known, problems such as yours can be solved with a little knowl- Family Affairs HUGH STARK KIRSTIE MACLISE edge and imagination. My husband and I have sepa- tated recently after an 18-year marriage. There are no children from the marriage. Our assets are somewhat limited, being his pen- sion with his employment and our home in which I presently reside. I am employed 2s a clerk in @ store and my husband is cmpfoyed at management ievel in a national company. I have worked throughout our marriage and contributed all of my money to our living expense as has he. However, because we have lived in four different countries, three provinces of this country and in at least two cities of this province I have had to repeatedly change jobs and therefore have been unable to gain any substan- tial pension, seniority — including pay scale seniority — or ad- vancement in my career in any way. When we married I was in my third year of a four-year bachelor of commerce degree at the Uni- versity of Toronto. I have never been able to complete my educa- tion. My present salary is $2,000 per -nonth and my husband's sal- ary including bonuses is $105,000 per year. Should he have to pay me maintenance, for how long and how much? There appears to be little doubt that you have suffered economi- cally because of the marriage and > wednesday * Eaton's * Sears * A&B Sound > friday * Safeway * Real Estate Weekly Future Shop * New Factory Carpet Watch for our Real Estate Home Section > sunday Safeway Shoppers Drug Mart Save-On-Foods The Bay * Buy Low Foods If you miss any of these flyers cail North Shore News Distribution 986-1337 * delivered fo selected ateas unly * London Drugs * Canadian Superstore * Super-Valu * Sears * Pharmasave peng WeEnes Oy mcseT Ns AK WERT ANCOUVER north shor. your husband’s need to move locations to increase his own ad- vancement with his employer, Ceriainly, you will be able to obtain maintenance from your husband as you both should have a similar standard of living after separation that you had before after so long a marriage. ordinarily used by the both of you. Therefore, it is a family asset and subject to equal division pur- suant to the Family Relations Act, however, if you went to court, it may well divide the furniture unevenly because it was inherited by you. There may be a limitation plac-‘ ed on the number of years you receive maintenance which would be based on your ability to com- plete your education and gain employment and advancement to such a degree that would allow you to live a similar lifestyle to which you have enjoyed prior to the separation. In any event you should expect to receive maintenance which wil! allow you to live at a reasonable standard bearing in mind the standard of living you enjoyed prior to separation. Two years ago I inherited money from my father’s estate, which I used to purchase furniture for our apartment. My wife wants to separate and says that she gets to take half the furniture. Is this correct? {t appears that the furniture was The questions and answers given in this column are for gen- eral information oaly. If you have matrimonial prob- lems you should seek legal advice sG that your advisor can assess your particular circumstances and give you the best advice. Aiways in Fashion Merchandising Management Dipioma Programs Our Merchandising Management Diploma Programs (two years or ten months) will open the door to a wide variety of rewarding careers in the merchandising and fashion industries. « Advertising Assistants ¢ Display Assistants « Store Managers ¢ Department Managers REGISTER NOW! Call 984-4960. CAPILANO COLLEGE * Manufacturer's Reps * Promotion Managers | Sales Managers ° Buyers 2055 Purcell Way © North Vancouver «B.C. Everything is on sale, even customer orders. 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