The Matrimonial Property Act has changed minimally since its enactment in 1978. Economic, political, and social attitudes and expectations related to the distribution of matrimonial property on marriage breakdown have changed. The paper begins by briefly discussing how the MPA currently operates and what the comprehensive objectives of updating it are. It also examines the issues specifically related to matrimonial debt, dissipation of assets, and valuation dates.

This paper was presented at the Matrimonial Property Issues program in November 2013.