Will Leave Everything to Spouse?

You and your spouse may have one of the most common types of estate plans between married couples, which is a simple will leaving everything to each other. With this type of plan, you leave all of your assets outright to your surviving spouse. The kids or other beneficiaries only get something after you are both gone.

Can you leave nothing to your spouse in your will?

There is nothing in the Act nor any precedent in case law that requires provision of any kind for a former spouse or independent adult child. ... Our legal system accords a high degree of respect for individual autonomy; which is the right of an adult to dispose of property after death as set out in her/his Will.

Do I need a will if I want everything to go to my spouse?

If you leave everything to your spouse there is no inheritance tax but if she were to die first it could be payable. Making a will can reduce the inheritance tax bill. The value of your spouse's assets (including any inheritance from you) means that inheritance tax is likely to be payable when she dies.