What does 'dying intestate' mean?

Dying intestate means dying without a valid will. When this happens, provincial intestacy laws determine how your estate is distributed among your surviving family members. Each province has different rules, and the distribution may not match what you would have wanted.

What is a 'preferential amount' in intestacy law?

A preferential amount is the first portion of the estate that goes entirely to the surviving spouse before children receive anything. For example, in Ontario the spouse gets the first $350,000 before children inherit. This amount varies dramatically by province: Ontario has $350,000, while Manitoba has only $50,000. Quebec has no preferential amount at all.

What happens to my estate if I have no family at all?

If you die without a will and have no eligible relatives (spouse, children, parents, siblings, or extended family), your entire estate 'escheats' to the provincial government. This means the government keeps everything. With a will, you could instead leave your assets to friends, charities, or causes you care about.

Do stepchildren inherit if I die without a will?

No, stepchildren do NOT inherit under intestacy laws unless you legally adopted them. Only biological children and legally adopted children are considered 'children' for inheritance purposes. If you want stepchildren to inherit, you MUST create a will that specifically names them as beneficiaries.

How are my assets divided between my spouse and children?

This varies significantly by province. Generally, the spouse receives a preferential amount (first $50,000-$350,000 depending on province), then the remainder is split between spouse and children. In Quebec, it's a straight 1/3 to spouse and 2/3 to children with no preferential amount. British Columbia gives 100% to spouse if all children are from that relationship. Always check your specific province's rules.

What if my estate is smaller than the preferential amount?

If your estate is worth less than the preferential amount for your province, your spouse receives 100% and children receive nothing. For example, in Ontario with a $200,000 estate, the spouse would get everything because it's below the $350,000 threshold. Your children would inherit nothing despite intestacy laws 'protecting' them.

How long does intestate succession take in Canada?

Intestate estates typically take 12-24 months to settle, significantly longer than estates with a will. The process involves appointing an administrator (since there's no executor named), proving family relationships, locating all heirs, obtaining court approval for distributions, and resolving any disputes. This delay can create financial hardship for your surviving family members.

Can I contest an intestate distribution?

Yes, but it's difficult and expensive. Family members can challenge intestate distributions by claiming they were dependents who should receive support, or by arguing common-law status. These court battles can cost tens of thousands of dollars and take years to resolve. A clear, well-drafted will prevents these disputes entirely.

Why should I create a will if intestacy laws already distribute my estate?

Intestacy laws use a one-size-fits-all approach that may not match your wishes. They don't account for family dynamics, special needs, estranged relatives, or your personal values. A will lets you choose your beneficiaries, appoint guardians for minor children, select an executor you trust, minimize taxes, support charities, and avoid family conflicts. It's YOUR legacy—you should decide, not the government.

Back to Intestacy Calculator

Northwest Territories Intestacy Calculator: Dying Without a Will

Calculate estate distribution in NWT under the Intestate Succession Act. IMPORTANT: NWT does NOT recognize common-law partners.

Your Situation

Province of Residence

Total Estate Value

Status Indian dying on reserve

Federal Indian Act rules apply instead of provincial laws

Northwest Territories Rules:

• Preferential amount: $100,000

• Common-law recognized: No (Quebec only)

Intestate Succession Act, RSNWT 1988, c. I-10

Relationship Status

Legally Married

Common-Law Partner

Single / No Partner

Number of Children2

01235

Children from Prior Relationships?

All from current relationship

Some from prior relationships

Parents Still LivingNone

None1Both

Number of Siblings1

01235

Total Estate Value

$500,000

Number of Beneficiaries

Province

Northwest Territories

Distribution Breakdown

Chart only available on larger screens

View on a tablet or desktop to see the visualization

Who Inherits Your Estate

Beneficiary	Relationship	Share %	Amount	Notes
Surviving Spouse	Spouse	60.0%	$300,000	Preferential $100,000 + 50% of remainder
Child 1	Child	20.0%	$100,000	Share of 50% remainder divided equally
Child 2	Child	20.0%	$100,000	Share of 50% remainder divided equally

How the Distribution is Calculated

Northwest Territories Intestacy Formula:

1. Spouse receives preferential amount: $100,000

2. Remainder: $500,000 - $100,000 = $400,000

3. Spouse receives 50% of remainder: $200,000

4. Spouse total: $100,000 + $200,000 = $300,000

5. Children split 50% of remainder: $200,000 ÷ 2 = $100,000 each

Legislation: Intestate Succession Act, RSNWT 1988, c. I-10

About Northwest Territories Intestacy Laws

Preferential Share

$100,000

Spouse's first inheritance

Common-law Status

Common-law partners NOT recognized - must be legally married to inherit

Recognition threshold

Distribution Split

Married spouse receives first $100,000, then 50% of remainder. Children share remaining 50%.

Between spouse & children

Overview

Northwest Territories' intestacy laws are governed by the Intestate Succession Act (RSNWT 1988, c. I-10). The Northwest Territories is one of only two jurisdictions in Canada (along with Quebec) that does NOT recognize common-law partners for intestacy purposes. Only legally married spouses have inheritance rights under NT law. This is more conservative than most Canadian jurisdictions and reflects different policy choices about family recognition. The preferential share is $100,000, which is moderate. After this amount, NWT uses the prairie formula with a straight 50/50 split of the remainder between married spouse and children.

Key Intestacy Rules

•Preferential share of $100,000
•Common-law partners NOT recognized (like Quebec)
•Must be legally married to inherit as spouse
•Uses prairie-style 50/50 distribution formula
•Only married spouses have inheritance rights
•All children inherit equally

Distribution Rules

Northwest Territories' distribution hierarchy: First, the MARRIED spouse (common-law partners do NOT qualify) receives the first $100,000, then 50% of any remainder. Second, children share the remaining 50% equally. Third, if there's no married spouse, children take everything equally. Fourth, if no descendants, parents inherit the entire estate. Fifth, if no parents, siblings share equally. Sixth, more distant relatives in order of proximity. Finally, if no heirs can be found, the estate goes to the Northwest Territories government. The prairie-style 50/50 split is straightforward, but the exclusion of common-law partners is a critical difference from most provinces.

Common-law Partner Recognition

The Northwest Territories does NOT recognize common-law partners for intestacy purposes. This is explicit in the Intestate Succession Act. Only legally married spouses have inheritance rights. This makes NWT similar to Quebec (which also excludes common-law partners) and very different from most Canadian jurisdictions. If you are in a common-law relationship in the Northwest Territories, your partner will inherit NOTHING when you die intestate, regardless of how long you've lived together or whether you have children together. A will is absolutely essential for common-law couples in NWT. This policy reflects different cultural and legal priorities than provinces that recognize common-law relationships.

Special Considerations

Northwest Territories' system has several unique aspects: (1) Common-law partners have ZERO inheritance rights - this is critical and cannot be overstated. (2) Only legally married spouses inherit, making NWT similar to Quebec in this respect. (3) The preferential share of $100,000 is moderate and reasonable for married spouses. (4) Uses the straightforward prairie formula (50/50 split). (5) Stepchildren do NOT inherit unless legally adopted. (6) Adopted children have identical rights to biological children. (7) Indigenous customs and traditional laws may apply in certain circumstances, particularly for Indigenous people. (8) Half-siblings inherit equally with full siblings. (9) NWT uses "per stirpes" distribution for grandchildren. (10) The Public Administrator handles estates with no heirs. (11) For Indigenous people with Indian status dying on reserve land, federal Indian Act provisions apply instead of territorial law. (12) The non-recognition of common-law partners makes a will absolutely essential for unmarried couples in NWT.

Unique Features

✓Northwest Territories is one of only TWO jurisdictions in Canada that do NOT recognize common-law partners (Quebec is the other)
✓Must be legally married to inherit as a spouse - common-law partners inherit nothing
✓Preferential share of $100,000 is moderate
✓Uses the prairie formula with 50/50 split
✓Reflects more conservative approach to common-law relationships

Governing Legislation

Intestate Succession Act, RSNWT 1988, c. I-10

Frequently Asked Questions

About This Calculator

v1.0Updated: October 2025

When a Canadian dies without a valid will, they die "intestate." This intestate succession calculator shows exactly how your estate would be distributed according to Canadian provincial laws if you die without a will. Understanding intestacy laws is crucial for estate planning because provincial legislation determines who inherits your assets—often in ways that don't align with your wishes. Each Canadian province has different intestate succession rules, and the differences can be dramatic. For example, Ontario's Succession Law Reform Act gives a surviving spouse a $350,000 preferential share before children inherit, while Manitoba's threshold is only $50,000. Quebec operates under civil law and does NOT recognize common-law partners at all for intestate succession—only legally married spouses inherit automatically. Our free intestate succession calculator models all 10 provinces' intestacy laws and shows you the exact distribution based on your family situation. You can compare how different provinces treat estates, see how common-law relationships affect inheritance, and understand why having a will is essential. The calculator handles complex scenarios including multiple children, parents, siblings, and extended family, applying the correct provincial formulas to show who inherits what percentage and dollar amount. The results may surprise you. Did you know that in Quebec, your spouse only gets 1/3 of your estate if you have children? Or that in most provinces, your common-law partner must have lived with you for 2-3 years to inherit? Without a will, you have NO CONTROL over who receives your assets—provincial law decides for you. This calculator demonstrates the urgent importance of estate planning and creating a legally valid will that reflects your true wishes.

Key Features

Calculate intestate distribution for all 10 Canadian provinces
Model any family situation: spouse, children, parents, siblings
See exact dollar amounts each beneficiary would receive
Visual pie chart showing distribution percentages
Provincial comparison mode to see how rules differ
Common-law partner recognition by province
Step-by-step math explanation of intestacy formulas
Warning alerts for surprising outcomes

When to Use This Calculator

Understanding who inherits if you die without a will
Comparing intestate distribution vs your desired distribution
Learning how common-law relationships affect inheritance
Seeing how different provinces treat estates differently
Educating family members about importance of estate planning
Estate planning preparation before meeting with lawyer
Teaching children about Canadian succession law

Free to UseCanadian-SpecificNo Registration RequiredReal-Time Calculations

Northwest Territories Intestacy Calculator: Dying Without a Will

Your Situation

Distribution Breakdown

Who Inherits Your Estate

How the Distribution is Calculated

Email me a copy of these results

About Northwest Territories Intestacy Laws

Preferential Share

Common-law Status

Distribution Split

Overview

Key Intestacy Rules

Distribution Rules

Common-law Partner Recognition

Special Considerations

Unique Features

Governing Legislation

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Northwest Territories Intestacy Calculator: Dying Without a Will

Your Situation

Distribution Breakdown

Who Inherits Your Estate

How the Distribution is Calculated

Email me a copy of these results

About Northwest Territories Intestacy Laws

Preferential Share

Common-law Status

Distribution Split

Overview

Key Intestacy Rules

Distribution Rules

Common-law Partner Recognition

Special Considerations

Unique Features

Governing Legislation

You might also be interested in...

CPP & OAS Timing Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'dying intestate' mean?

Does my common-law partner automatically inherit if I die without a will?

What is a 'preferential amount' in intestacy law?

What happens to my estate if I have no family at all?

Do stepchildren inherit if I die without a will?

How are my assets divided between my spouse and children?

What if my estate is smaller than the preferential amount?

How long does intestate succession take in Canada?

Can I contest an intestate distribution?

Why should I create a will if intestacy laws already distribute my estate?

About This Calculator

Key Features

When to Use This Calculator