Treadstone Law
Updated: August 20th, 2026
Leaving Out or Limiting an Estranged Child in Your Ontario Will
One of the most painful estate planning situations is deciding what — if anything — to leave an estranged child. Whether the estrangement is long-standing, the result of addiction or abuse, or rooted in a fundamental breakdown of the relationship, parents in this situation often wonder:
Can I legally disinherit my child in Ontario? What can they do about it?
The short answer is: you have broad freedom to distribute your estate as you choose, but an estranged child who was financially dependent on you has a legal right to claim support from your estate — even if you leave them nothing. Planning carefully can reduce (but not always eliminate) that risk.
