Life changes? Update your will to reflect your current family, finances, and wishes. Learn when and how to update your estate plan in Ontario.
Writing a will is an important step—but it’s not the last one. As your life evolves, so should your estate plan. Major milestones like marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or moving to a new province can all affect how your will works—or whether it’s still valid at all.
At Boardwalk Law, we regularly help clients across Ontario update their wills to reflect new circumstances. If you’ve experienced a major life change, it’s time to revisit your documents and make sure your plan still protects what matters most.
Here’s when and how to update your will to keep your estate plan accurate and legally sound.
Why Keeping Your Will Updated Matters
A will is meant to reflect your current life and future wishes. When your family, finances, or responsibilities change, your will should too.
If you don’t update your will, you may accidentally:
- Leave out new family members
- Name someone you’re no longer close with
- Appoint an executor who is no longer available
- Distribute your estate in a way that no longer matches your intentions
In some cases, an outdated will may even be considered invalid or lead to family disputes.
Life Events That Should Prompt a Will Review
Here are some of the most common situations that should trigger a legal review and potential update to your estate documents:
Marriage
- In Ontario, getting married automatically revokes a previously made will—unless that will specifically states it was written in contemplation of the marriage. If you got married and haven’t updated your will, your old will may no longer be valid.
Divorce or Separation
- If you are legally divorced, Ontario law treats your former spouse as if they were removed from your will. But separation alone doesn’t have the same effect. To ensure your estate is distributed according to your current wishes, update your will after the end of a relationship.
Birth or Adoption of a Child
- Wills should name guardians for minor children and address inheritance instructions. If your family has grown, it’s important to ensure all dependants are included in your plan.
Buying or Selling Property
- If your will references specific real estate—like a home or cottage—and that property has since been sold or replaced, the terms of your will may need to be revised.
Starting or Selling a Business
- Business ownership can add complexity to an estate plan. Whether you’re adding a new asset or need to update a succession plan, your will should reflect the current structure of your business affairs.
Retirement or Financial Changes
- Retirement often brings shifts in income, investments, and lifestyle. This may affect how you wish to divide your assets or support loved ones in the future.
Moving to Another Province or Country
- Wills are subject to provincial law. If you’ve moved out of Ontario, your will might not meet the legal requirements in your new jurisdiction. Even within Canada, estate rules and probate processes vary from province to province.
How to Update a Will in Ontario
There are two main ways to make changes to a will:
1. Preparing a New Will
This is the most common and recommended approach—especially if multiple changes are needed. Your new will should state that it revokes all previous wills and codicils.
2. Creating a Codicil
A codicil is a separate legal document used to make a small change to an existing will. This might be appropriate if you’re only changing an executor or adding a minor bequest. However, codicils still require proper signing and witnessing to be valid in Ontario.
Important: Do not write directly on your existing will. Handwritten changes or crossed-out sections are not legally recognized and can create confusion or legal disputes.
When Should You Review Your Will?
As a general rule, you should review your will:
- After any major life event (marriage, birth, divorce, etc.)
- Every three to five years
- If your financial or personal situation has significantly changed
- If your named executor, attorney, or guardian can no longer act
An estate lawyer can help assess whether your current will still matches your goals and remains compliant with Ontario law.
Peace of Mind Comes From Keeping Your Plan Current
Writing a will is an important act of care for your family—but keeping it up to date is just as important. Life moves fast, and your estate plan should move with it. By reviewing your will regularly and updating it after key milestones, you can ensure your legacy is clear, fair, and fully protected.
At Boardwalk Law, we help individuals and families across Ontario update their wills and estate plans with confidence. Whether you need a full rewrite or just a review, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Need help updating your will?
Please contact Pavel Malysheuski, Associate Lawyer at [email protected] / 905-863-7428 to book a consultation today.
