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For most provincial laws, the question is whether or not a particular couple are "spouses." Qualifying as a spouse might mean that you are entitled to the family rate for MSP, that you can share in your spouse's estate in the event your spouse dies, or that you are no longer entitled to social assistance. | For most provincial laws, the question is whether or not a particular couple are "spouses." Qualifying as a spouse might mean that you are entitled to the family rate for MSP, that you can share in your spouse's estate in the event your spouse dies, or that you are no longer entitled to social assistance. | ||
In general, for most but not all provincial laws, you must have lived with your partner for at least two years to qualify as a spouse. (The laws about sharing in a spouse's property after | In general, for most but not all provincial laws, you must have lived with your partner for at least two years to qualify as a spouse. (The laws about sharing in a spouse's property after their death also require you to have been living together at the time of your spouse's death.) Here's the definition of "spouse" from the ''[http://canlii.ca/t/8mhj Wills, Estates and Succession Act]'': | ||
<blockquote><tt>[...] 2 persons are spouses of each other for the purposes of this Act if they were both alive immediately before a relevant time and</tt></blockquote> | <blockquote><tt>[...] 2 persons are spouses of each other for the purposes of this Act if they were both alive immediately before a relevant time and</tt></blockquote> |