3 Reasons to Review Your Will This Summer

When families gather, wills should too.

Fact-checked by Tim Louis

“Planning for peace of mind doesn’t need to wait until the end of the year. Here’s why reviewing your estate plan in summer could be your smartest move yet.”

Summer Is Estate Planning Season

“Is summer a good time to update your will in Canada?”

“Yes. Summer is often the best time to revisit your will and estate plans—especially if you’ve had life changes or aging parents.”

The sun’s out, the family’s visiting—and suddenly, those long-postponed conversations about “what happens next” are happening around the barbecue.

Summer is one of the few times in the year when life slows down just enough to take stock. Parents visit from out of town. Kids come home from university. Grandkids gather. And between the laughter and the lawn chairs, someone brings up a tough but important question:

“Do we even know what’s in Mom’s will?”

It’s a season of togetherness—but also of planning. And for many families in British Columbia, summer is the perfect moment to review, update, or write a will.

Why now?

• Because you finally have the time.
• Because loved ones are physically nearby.
• And because the older we get, the more we know life doesn’t wait for us to be ready.

At Tim Louis & Company, we often meet clients who waited until “next year.” Unfortunately, waiting too long often leads to confusion, family conflict, or estate litigation that could have been avoided with a simple update.

Whether your will is ten years old or just slightly out of date, this summer is an ideal opportunity to make sure it still reflects your intentions, family structure, and values.

A will is more than a document—it’s peace of mind for the people you love.

Reason #1 – Life Has Changed

“Stepchildren don’t inherit unless they’re specifically named.”

Life doesn’t stand still—and neither should your will.

If you’ve recently gone through a divorce, gotten remarried, welcomed a new grandchild, or shifted your relationship status, now is the time to make sure your estate plan reflects your real life—not just your life on paper.

Too many people wait years to update their will after a major life change. By then, it’s often too late.

We often see clients in blended families—where stepchildren, half-siblings, or second spouses are part of a beautiful but legally complex dynamic. And unfortunately, BC law doesn’t automatically protect these relationships.

Here’s the risk:
If your current will leaves “everything to my children,” but doesn’t clarify who you mean, you may unintentionally disinherit stepchildren you love.

Or if you’ve remarried but never updated your executor, your former spouse may still have legal authority over your estate.

That’s not just awkward—it’s potentially devastating.

Common triggers for urgent updates:

• Remarriage or separation
• New child or grandchild
• Death of a named executor or beneficiary
• Change in guardian preferences
• Purchase or sale of real estate
• Inheritance received or gifted

You worked hard to build what you have.
Make sure it goes to the right people—for the right reasons.

Even a short conversation with an estate planning lawyer can protect the people you care about most.

Reason #2 – Your Will May No Longer Protect Loved Ones

“Does a will protect stepchildren in BC?”

Estate plans aren’t just about who gets what.
They’re about avoiding painful misunderstandings, conflict, and even court battles among the people you care about most.

But if your will hasn’t been reviewed in years, there’s a good chance it no longer protects the people you think it does.

Blended Families Face Higher Risk

In BC, stepchildren have no automatic inheritance rights unless they are explicitly named in your will. That means even if you’ve helped raise a child from age two, they could be legally excluded.

Common-Law Partners Can Be Left with Nothing

Without a clearly worded will, common-law partners may receive nothing, especially if there’s tension with adult children from a previous relationship.

The result?
– Legal challenges.
– Emotional damage.
– And a legacy of stress, not support.

Even Small Estates Can Lead to Massive Disputes

We’ve seen fights over $10,000 escalate into years of court battles.
Why? Because when intent isn’t clear, emotions take over.

Without precise language, your will can be misread, misused—or challenged.

Learn more about protecting your estate from conflict:

 Estate Litigation and Undue Influence

A good will distributes assets.
A great will prevents arguments.

Reason #3 – Aging Parents & Executor Planning

“What if I’m the executor and the will is outdated?”

You may not feel like the “planner” in your family—but if your parents are aging and you’re the one they trust, you may already be the default executor or decision-maker.

The problem?

Most families never talk about it until something happens.

POAs and Executors Are Often Out of Date

Even if your parents made a will years ago, it might name someone who has since moved away, passed on, or no longer wants the role.

Or worse: there might be no Power of Attorney in place at all—meaning no one can legally act if a medical crisis strikes.

Children Step into Roles Without Clarity

We often hear:

“I’m pretty sure I’m on the will… I think I’m the executor?”

But guesswork won’t help when you’re sitting across from a doctor or a bank manager.
Without updated legal documents, you may not be able to make urgent decisions—or carry out your parent’s final wishes.

Medical Emergencies Don’t Wait for Paperwork

Falls, strokes, dementia, and sudden illness can all trigger cascading legal and emotional stress—unless the will, POA, and representation documents are current.

For clarity and support, read:
Power of Attorney – Tim Louis Law

Updating a will isn’t just about inheritance—
it’s about protecting your parents while they’re still here.