What are the options for how my spouse and I register ownership of our new home?

Most couples in Alberta choose to register the title to their homes as "joint tenants". Joint tenants own the whole property together. If one joint tenant dies the other automatically inherits the whole property. One joint tenant cannot leave the property to anyone else in a will. The other, less common way of holding title to land when there is more than one person is by "tenants in common". Each tenant in common separately owns an equal interest in the property with equal rights to occupy the whole of the land. A tenant in common can dispose of his or her own interest in the land by selling it or leaving it to someone in a will.

Of course, it is always possible to register title to your home in your name alone or in the name of your spouse. While you may have good reasons for doing this, it should be thoroughly discussed with your spouse and your lawyer before you take this route.

If the home is your matrimonial home, the spouse who is not named on title will still have something called dower rights.

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WARNING: The contents of these FAQs are intended as general legal information only.
If you have a personal problem, please consult a lawyer.