Sponsorship & Death

[Nayag]

Hello everyone, so I was sponsored in Canada under spousal sponsorship in Alberta in 2015 and I successfully became a permanent resident in 2017. In October of 2017 me and my sponsor took a break because our relationship was going downhill so I returned to my country in Europe for a few months. In that period my spouse passed away in our apartment in Alberta. For a period of weeks, I had no idea why he didn't answer my messages and emails as his family hid his death from me fearing that I'd go after his belongings. After I found out about his death, I tried to communicate with his family about what happened but they turned me down by blocking my number or sending me messages blaming me and lying for his death.
Since then I have returned to Canada with my last money and the help of a friend but in another province, I have been struggling to survive since I decided to not go after my late husbands will ( I don't even know if he had one, since he was still young in age) I knew his family is gonna make it hard for me and I can barely support myself let alone hire a lawyer to help me... So I was wondering if anyone knows a way for me to help my situation by asking for temporary help from the government? or if there is a number I can call so I can find out my options. I haven't found any situation like mine on the internet or any forum so I'd really appreciate your help in that terrible time of my life. Any advice is welcomed and thank you for your time.

 

[canuck78]

First of all I am sorry for your loss. Seems like you and your ex committed misrepresentation because you were separated before you were granted PR. This could be an issue if you ever apply for citizenship or renew your PR.

 

[Nayag]

First of all I am sorry for your loss. Seems like you and your ex committed misrepresentation because you were separated before you were granted PR. This could be an issue if you ever apply for citizenship or renew your PR.

Thank you for your answer! I actually got the PR in March and we separated later in October. Also the separation was just between us to see how we feel if that matters, we hadn't signed any official papers of separation.

 

[Buletruck]

You can apply to social services for welfare, but be warned, they may view the possibility you are entitled to his estate and may deny you based on that. You really should see a lawyer as you are most likely entitled to at least a portion of his estate.

 

[canuck78]

You can apply to social services for welfare, but be warned, they may view the possibility you are entitled to his estate and may deny you based on that. You really should see a lawyer as you are most likely entitled to at least a portion of his estate.

Not necessarily entitled to part of his estate especially if separated and seems like they were together for a couple of years.

 

[Buletruck]

Not necessarily, but if it wasn't an "official" separation (one year is required to be legally separated in Canada), then there is an entitlement unless specifically mentioned in a will. OP was only away from the relationship a few months....

 

[Nayag]

You can apply to social services for welfare, but be warned, they may view the possibility you are entitled to his estate and may deny you based on that. You really should see a lawyer as you are most likely entitled to at least a portion of his estate.

I know a lawyer is probably my only option but last month I contacted one for advice in the province I am now and he charged me $150 just to tell me that I should get a lawyer in Alberta. Thank you so much for your reply, I should really start considering looking into my estate rights i guess. I'm just scared his parents would go after me and cause me trouble cause they don't like me.

 

[Bryanna]

The one year separation is a necessity only if a divorce judgement is to be made by a court. In this case, the OP's separation was from the date that she and her husband decided to live separately. But, they did not file/start the divorce action during that separation

 

[canuck78]

Sounds like the situation is more complex. A lawyer would be your only option. Would also start looking for a job.

 

[Bryanna]

We were together since 2015 but got married in 2016. After the marriage we applied for the PR card which took a year and came in March 2017.
In mid October 2017 we decided to take some time apart so I visited my parents in Europe. He passed in April 2018.

Maybe you can get help here:
https://justice.alberta.ca/programs_services/mvac/mvar/Pages/LegalFinancialhelp.aspx