Is an Inheritance Divided in a Divorce in British Columbia?

This answer covers the law of British Columbia.

Usually not. In British Columbia, an inheritance is excluded property, which means it is generally not part of the pool of family property that spouses divide. The same is true of property you owned before the relationship began and gifts from a third party.

There are limits you should know about. If you are claiming that something is excluded, you are the one who must show that it is. The increase in value of excluded property since the later of the start of the relationship or the day you acquired it is itself family property and is shared. For example, the government describes a house worth $300,000 when the spouse moved in and $500,000 at separation: the owner keeps the original $300,000 and the $200,000 increase is shared. Adding your spouse to title does not by itself change the exclusion.

In rare cases a court can divide excluded property, but only if it cannot practically be divided outside B.C. or if not dividing it would be significantly unfair. Whether funds you mixed with family money keep their excluded status depends on the facts and your records, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer.