Q30. Can I have my lawyer (or someone else) deal with the Plan Administrator on my behalf?
A30. Yes. You may authorize your lawyer or someone else to communicate and receive information from the Plan Administrator on your behalf. You provide your authorization by completing the Contact Person Authorization (FSCO Family Law Form 3) and sending it to the Plan Administrator. You must sign this Authorization Form (and any other required form).
If you want to change the person you have authorized as your contact person, you need to provide the Plan Administrator with another Contact Person Authorization (FSCO Family Law Form 3).
There may be situations where someone is authorized to act on your behalf through a power of attorney for property or a court order.
If you are acting on behalf of the Plan Member or the spouse/former spouse of the Plan Member under a power of attorney for property, you may complete the Application for Family Law Value (FSCO Family Law Form 1) and sign on his or her behalf. You must include a certified copy of the power of attorney for property with this Application Form. You must identify yourself under Part C or Part D of this Application Form (whichever applies).
If you are acting on behalf of the Plan Member or the spouse/former spouse of the Plan Member under a court order, you may complete the Application for Family Law Value (FSCO Family Law Form 1) and sign on his or her behalf if you have been given this authority under the court order. You must include a certified copy of the court order with this Application Form. You must identify yourself under Part C or Part D of this Application Form (whichever applies). – 03/12
Q31: I only deal with my former spouse’s lawyer. Is the Contact Person Authorization (FSCO Family Law Form 3) required from my former spouse?
A31: If your former spouse wants the Plan Administrator to communicate directly with his/her lawyer, your former spouse must complete the Contact Person Authorization (FSCO Family Law Form 3) in order to provide this authorization. – 12/11
Q32. I don’t want to provide the Plan Administrator with my current mailing address. Is my telephone or cell number or e-mail address sufficient?
A32. The Plan Administrator is required by law to provide both you and your spouse/former spouse with a Statement of Family Law Value (FSCO Family Law Form 4). Contact the Plan Administrator to find out what alternate arrangements can be made in order for you to receive this Statement.
If you have a contact person, you also need to complete the Contact Person Authorization (FSCO Family Law Form 3) and send this form to the Plan Administrator. – 12/11
Q33. What is a “certified copy”?
A33. A “certified copy” is a copy of the original document that has been certified as being a true copy of the original document. Typically, people who provide certification include lawyers and notaries. Contact the Plan Administrator to find out if it will accept certified copies from other people (e.g. Human Resource personnel). – 02/13
Q34. What happens if my spouse/former spouse and I agree to change either the starting date or the separation date (Family Law Valuation Date) of our spousal relationship after we receive the Statement of Family Law Value (FSCO Family Law Form 4) from the Plan Administrator?
A34. You or your spouse/former spouse must complete and send another Application for Family Law Value (FSCO Family Law Form 1) to the Plan Administrator along with all required documents and the fee (if any). The Plan Administrator will then provide you and your spouse/former spouse with the new Family Law Value based on the revised date(s).
You may want to get legal advice before making your decision. – 12/11
Q35. My spouse/former spouse and I completed Appendix A of the Application for Family Law Value (FSCO Family Law Form 1) and have provided two proposed separation dates (Family Law Valuation Dates). We have now agreed on our separation date, which is a different date than the dates that were provided in Appendix A of that Application Form. Can I report our new separation date on this Application Form?
A35. No. The change in your separation date will require a new Family Law Value calculation. A new Application for Family Law Value (FSCO Family Law Form 1), accompanied by all required documents and the fee (if any) must be given to the Plan Administrator. – 12/11
Q36. When will I receive my share of the Family Law Value?
A36. The Plan Administrator has 60 days after receiving a complete application, including all required documents, to transfer your share of the Family Law Value in accordance with your chosen transfer option, subject to certain exceptions. – 12/11
Q37. What are the exceptions that could delay or reduce payment of my share of the Family Law Value?
A37. In some circumstances, the Plan Administrator may be limited in the amount that it can transfer to you under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act. These circumstances include wind up of the pension plan or if the transfer ratio of the pension plan is less than 1. If these limited circumstances apply to you, the Plan Administrator will let you know. – 12/11