Which laws have been changed to take into account the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act and are these changes significant?

The Alberta laws that have been amended are set out in the Act. They include:

• Alberta Evidence Act,
• Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Act,
• Change of Name Act,
• Dependent Adults Act,
• Domestic Relations Act,
• Employment Pensions Plan Act,
• Family Relief Act,
• Human Tissue Gift Act,
• Maintenance Enforcement Act,
• Mental Health Act,
• Matrimonial Property Act,
• Metis Settlement Acts,
• Municipal Government Act,
• Protection Against Family Violence Act,
• Protection for Persons in Care Act,
• Personal Directives Act,
• Power of Attorney Act, and
• Wills Act.

Some of these changes are more significant than others. One of the legal areas most affected is that of estate planning, that is, planning how you are going to distribute your property when you die. The effect of changes in the legislation means that your property may not actually end up with the people you intend it to go to.

In the situation where someone dies intestate, or without having made a will, there are now some complicated situations that can arise. For example, there may be a spouse and an adult interdependent partner, or one child and a parent may be adult interdependent partners. In the latter situation, the child who is an adult interdependent partner could end up with more than other children because of the adult interdependent partnership status. In order to avoid such difficulties it is a good idea to make a will and have some control as to where your assets and property will go. This will also avoid some later difficulties for your family.

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If you have a personal problem, please consult a lawyer.