If your partner dies
Common-law partners do not inherit any of their partner’s property unless it was left to them in a valid will. If your common-law partner dies without leaving a valid will, the intestacy rules give their children and others the right to inherit property, not you.
So if you’re in a common-law relationship, both of you must make a will if you want each other to inherit your property when you die.
Joint property
If your partner dies, you usually become the sole owner of any money or property that you both owned jointly. Joint property is not affected by a will or the intestacy rules.
You also inherit life insurance money and registered investments if those assets list you as a beneficiary.
Other benefits
There are some government benefits like CPP survivor’s pension and CPP funeral and death expenses that you may be able to get if your partner dies.
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