8,391
edits
Changes
→Does the law say you have to leave your estate to your family?
=== Does the law say you have to leave your estate to your family? ===
In general, you are free to leave your estate to whomever you want. However, the law does require that you make adequate provision for the proper maintenance and support of your spouse and children. Your spouse or children can apply to court for a portion of the estate that is "adequate, just and equitable in the circumstances"."
Spouse includes a common-law spouse, which is a person you have lived with in a marriage-like relationship for at least two years.