Make a Will Week
October 4-10, 2020, was Make-a-Will Week in British Columbia. Its purpose is to encourage the public to write their will or bring an existing will up-to-date.
Check back in 2021 for confirmation that the next Make-a-Will Week has been proclaimed.
Making a will is now even easier following legislative changes in August of 2020 that allow people who are in different locations to use technology to sign and witness a will. The changes will also soon give electronic wills the same recognition as physical wills.
If you don’t have a will, you’re not alone. According to a 2014 report for BC Notaries, just 55 per cent of British Columbians have a signed, legally valid and up-to-date will.
A will is the best way to ensure that the people, charities and organizations you cherish most receive the benefit of your estate.
If you die without a will, your estate may not be distributed in the way you would have wished and the costs of administering your estate may also be higher.
Having a will helps ensure that important questions for parents – like who will raise your young children if both you and your spouse die – are answered.
The cost to have a will written depends on the complexity of your situation. Ask a notary or lawyer for an estimate. If your situation is straightforward, you may be able to write your own will using a kit from a store or an online service provider. However, obtaining the assistance of a professional is always a good idea.
Resources
- Wills Resource (Courthouse Libraries BC)
- Wills and Estate Planning (Government of British Columbia)
- About Wills and Estates (Court Services Branch - Ministry of Attorney General)
- Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia
- BC Notaries
- Estate Planning Councils (Abbotsford, Fraser Valley, Kelowna, Vancouver)
- Leave a Legacy (Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Victoria)
- Access Pro Bono Wills Clinic
- Wills and Estates (People’s Law School)
- Wills Registry (Vital Statistics Agency – Ministry of Health)