In Quebec, common law spouses don't have a right to inherit

"Did you know that even if you spend your entire life with your common law spouse, that does not make you their legal heir? If a spouse wishes to bequeath their assets to their significant other, they must do so in a will. Without a will, the immediate family of the deceased (children, father, mother, sister, etc.) will inherit their assets."

This is one of the tips offered on a really good website I've recently discovered that should be of interest to common law couples who live in Quebec. It talks about the rights and responsibilities of people in common law unions with respect to break-ups, property division, children and inheritance.

I particularly like the section about "the myths", which clearly shows how mistaken people really are when they think that common law unions carry the same legal rights as marriages. Check out www.commonlawunion.ca.