Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Canada

Re: Lottery winnings

In Alberta where I am qualified to practise you are not required to share with your spouse when you win. If the money or the income from the money is used in the family financial regime and not kept separate you would have to account for half the win in any matrimonial property action. If you plan on staying married sharing is a good idea particularly from the perspective of the income tax splitting that can be done where income is earned in both names rather than just one. You could also get your spouse to disclaim any interest in the money but be wary of the result---much unhappiness.