This paper considers the confluence of family law and wills and estates law. It provides strategies for estate practitioners to employ to better advise clients with family law considerations in estate planning. It reviews relationships that give rise to legal obligations in estate planning, and discusses the implications of those relationships in the estate context. It also highlights case law that deals with adult interdependent relationships, dower rights, matrimonial property orders, and revocation of wills.

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.