The Dower Act protects this right by requiring your written consent to any disposal of your home. The Dower Act also provides protection to the spouse who is the legally registered owner of the homestead if you are the other spouse who unreasonably withholds consent to the disposition.

What is a dower agreement?

People who buy or sell a home in Alberta, often hear about Dower rights. The Dower Act creates Dower rights. This legislation gives a married person, who is not on title to a home, a life interest in their home or homestead.

What is a dower affidavit?

If There Was One Person on Title But That Person Was Not Married. If the only person on title is not married then, on a disposition of property, they will have to swear a dower affidavit. The dower affidavit affirms that the person is not married. Nothing more is required for the disposition to move forward.