When Should You Update Your Will?
One of the most common things I hear from clients is this:
“I already have a will. I signed one years ago.”
When I ask when it was last reviewed, the answer is often ten… fifteen… sometimes twenty years ago.
A will is not a document you sign once and forget. It is a living legal instrument that should evolve as your life changes. If you are searching for “update my will Edmonton” or “review my will,” you are already asking the right question.
The better question is not whether you have a will; It is whether your will still reflects your life today.
Why an Outdated Will Can Be Dangerous
A will does more than distribute your property. It determines:
- Who administers your estate
- Who controls funds for your children
- Who inherits specific assets
- How tax obligations are handled
- Whether your family faces unnecessary conflict
If your will is outdated, it can create serious problems. I have seen estates delayed for months because the named executor had passed away. I have seen second spouses and adult children embroiled in litigation because the will did not contemplate a blended family. I have seen significant tax consequences that could have been avoided with a simple update.
The cost of reviewing a will is modest. The cost of leaving it unchanged can be enormous.
Life Changes That Should Trigger a Will Review
In my practice, there are certain life events that almost always require a review.
Marriage or Remarriage
Marriage can affect how your estate is treated. In second marriages especially, estate planning becomes significantly more complex.
If you have children from a previous relationship, your will should clearly balance:
- Protecting your new spouse
- Preserving inheritance for your children
- Minimizing the risk of future estate litigation
Blended families require thoughtful drafting. A will written before remarriage rarely addresses those complexities adequately.
Separation or Divorce
Separation does not automatically fix your will.
Even after divorce, I regularly see former spouses still named as executors or trustees simply because the will was never updated. That can create obvious complications.
If you are separated, in the process of divorcing, or recently divorced, your will should be reviewed immediately. Estate planning and family law intersect more often than people realize.
The Birth of a Child or Grandchild
If you have had children since signing your will, you should revisit it.
A properly drafted will can create trusts for minor children, determine the age at which they receive their inheritance, and appoint guardians if something happens to you.
Without careful drafting, a child may inherit funds outright at 18 — which is rarely what parents intend.
Growth in Assets or a New Business
Many people draft a simple will when they have modest assets. Years later, they own property, investments, or even a corporation — but the will was never updated.
If your financial situation has changed significantly, your estate plan should reflect that. Business owners, in particular, need coordinated planning between their will and corporate documents. Failing to align those can create serious probate and succession issues.
Death or Incapacity of an Executor
Your executor should be someone capable, organized, and trustworthy. If the person you named years ago has died, become ill, moved away, or is no longer suitable, that alone is reason to update your will.
Choosing the right personal representative is one of the most important decisions in estate planning.
It Has Simply Been Too Long
Even if nothing dramatic has happened, I recommend reviewing your will every few years. Laws change. Tax rules change. Family dynamics change.
An outdated will is often not “wrong” — it is simply incomplete.
How Updating a Will Actually Works
When clients come to Morrison LLP to review their will, the process is straightforward but thorough.
We begin by reviewing the existing document carefully. We look at how assets are structured today. We discuss family dynamics, tax considerations, and any risks of dispute. Sometimes minor changes are appropriate. More often, preparing a fresh will is cleaner and safer than layering amendments.
While Alberta law allows something called a codicil — essentially an add-on amendment — multiple amendments can create ambiguity. In most cases, preparing a new will avoids confusion and strengthens enforceability.
If you are searching “review my will Edmonton,” what you really need is a professional assessment of whether your current document still protects you.
The Risk of Doing It Yourself
It is tempting to download a template or handwrite changes.
But improper witnessing, unclear language, or conflicting provisions are common causes of estate litigation. I have acted in cases where small drafting errors resulted in significant legal battles.
A will must comply with Alberta’s Wills and Succession Act. More importantly, it must be precise enough to withstand scrutiny if challenged.
Estate litigation is expensive. Prevention is far more efficient than repair.
Updating Your Will Is About Protecting the People You Care About
Estate planning is not just about distributing assets. It is about reducing uncertainty for your family during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
An updated will can:
- Prevent disputes between family members
- Ensure tax-efficient distribution
- Protect vulnerable beneficiaries
- Provide clear direction to your executor
- Reflect your current intentions accurately
It is not something to postpone indefinitely.
If You Are Wondering Whether to Update Your Will
In my experience, if the thought has crossed your mind, it is worth reviewing.
Whether you have recently married, separated, grown your business, or simply have not looked at your will in years, a review provides clarity and peace of mind.
If you are in Edmonton and looking to update your will or have it reviewed, we can help. At Morrison LLP, we assist individuals and families with thoughtful, practical estate planning that reflects their current reality — not the circumstances of ten years ago.
Call 587-758-1099 to schedule a consultation. The first 30 minutes are free.
A will should reflect your life as it is now — not as it once was.
