You had it all planned out. You’ll sell this house and move with your child to a new place for a new beginning, but then Covid-19 happened, and it has taken over our lives. Can you sell or not…err perhaps.
To protect ourselves, our families, and our communities, we have been forced to adopt stringent policies of physical distancing and self-isolation. We are, each of us, responsible for the health and well-being of those around us.
But is letting potential buyers into your home a danger to you and your children? The Ontario Family Court system recently gave us a glimpse into the answers to these questions in a case called L-A.F. v. K.V.S..
In this case, the mother of a ten-year-old boy wanted to sell her house and relocate with the parties’ son. While the father objected to the relocation, his more pressing concern was the health of their son. He did not want their son exposed to prospective buyers who may have contracted Covid-19.
The court ruled that in the current Covid-19 climate, the issues raised by the father were “potentially urgent.” The court prevented the mother from selling her house in the meantime, and from letting strangers into the home for the purpose of its sale. However, this was only for the interim until these issues could be addressed in full at a later date.
So, if you are considering selling your home during the Covid-19 pandemic, or if your ex is trying to force the sale of your jointly owned home, you should first consider whether it is safe to do so, so that the courts do not have to decide this for you.
If you have found yourself in a situation where your ex is making unreasonable demands about selling, and you are fearful for the safety of your child, please contact us for your free initial consultation. Our lawyers are here to help.