Make a Will Week is held every year by the BC government this year, it takes place from October 3-8th.
The goal of Make A Will Week is to encourage the public to make their wills in BC or bring an existing will up-to-date. A survey commissioned by Willful shows that only 38% of British Columbians have an up-to-date will, and 90% of millennials don’t have any will at all.
First things first..
What Is A Will?
Your last will and testament is a legal document that outlines your wishes after you die. This outlines instructions for distributing your assets, guardians/custodians for minor children, pets, funeral wishes, and more!
Why Do I Need A Will In BC?
Your will is essentially a blueprint for your family and loved ones after you pass away.
If you die without a will in British Columbia, you’re considered to have died intestate. If you die without a will the courts will use provincial laws to decide how to distribute your assets, in addition to appointing an executor, and guardians for any minor children.
Unfortunately, this often results in decisions that you would not have chosen yourself.
What Makes Make A Will Week Special This Year?
If you ask us, Make A Will Week is special EVERY year. But last year, BC announced that the digital signing and storage of wills is on it’s way. We're so excited to announce that this if finally coming into effect December 1st, 2021!
British Columbia will be the first Canadian province to pass legislation allowing for electronic signing, video witnessing, and digital storage of wills. When the laws come into effect, you will be able to complete your will completely online.
We commissioned an AngusReid survey to learn more about how residents think about the estate planning process.
- 89% of British Columbians think it is already legal to sign your will online in Canada
- 92% of British Columbians think it is already legal to store your will online in Canada
- 23% of British Columbians (1 in 4) think you should be able to digitally sign your will
- 53% of British Columbians without a will would complete their will if they could do it online
- 46% of British Columbians said the ability to complete, sign, and store important documents online would make their life easier
- 48% of British Columbians said COVID-19 made them more likely to complete important documents or tasks online
- 42% of British Columbians said being able to complete your will online during COVID-19 would make it more accessible for seniors
At Willful we’re helping break down what this means, how it changes the current process, and how you can prepare for digital wills. Click here to learn more about B.C.'s Bill 21.
Life Is Full Of Unpredictabilities.
Preparation can save you and your loved ones headaches, arguments and red tape in the long run. We know some of the decisions in an estate plan cannot be rushed but having a plan in writing is better than having nothing at all. That's why we've made it easy to edit your will and power of attorney documents, anytime.
With Make A Will Week, there's never been a better time to make your will. For a limited time, British Columbia residents can use the code BCWILLS for $10 OFF any Willful plan.
