This paper considers child and spousal support obligations in estate planning. It first provides an overview of child support and spousal support basics, including the applicable legislation and other considerations. Next, it discusses what happens when a payor or a recipient dies, and highlights recent Alberta cases that deal with support obligations in estate matters. Finally, the paper identifies specific questions to ask clients regarding support obligations to properly address child and spousal support in estate planning.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Considerations for the Wills and Estates Practitioner program in Edmonton on March 6, 2019 and in Calgary on March 13, 2019.