Think You Don't Need a Will? Here's Why You Do.

It's one of those things most people know they should do — and most people haven't done. Writing a will sits on the same mental shelf as updating your insurance or cleaning out the garage: important, but easy to put off for another day.

The reality is that a will isn't just for people with large estates or complicated finances. If you own anything, have anyone who depends on you, or care about what happens after you're gone, a will matters. And the absence of one can create real problems for the people you love most.

What a Will Actually Does

A will is a legal document that sets out your wishes for what happens to your assets — your property, your savings, your personal belongings — after you die. It names the people you want to receive specific things, and it appoints an executor: the person responsible for making sure your wishes are carried out.

But a will does more than distribute money and property. It can also:

Name a guardian for your children. If you have minor children, your will is where you designate who should care for them if something happens to you. Without a will, the court makes that decision — and it may not align with what you would have chosen.

Specify what happens to personal and sentimental items. Family heirlooms, photographs, jewellery, collections — these things may not have significant financial value, but they often carry enormous emotional weight. A will lets you decide who gets what, reducing the potential for conflict.

Outline your funeral wishes. While a will isn't the most immediate way to communicate funeral preferences (since it may not be read for days or weeks after a death), it can document your wishes for cremation, burial, or a specific type of service.

Name an executor you trust. Choosing the right person to manage your estate matters. Your will gives you the ability to name someone you trust to handle things responsibly and fairly.

What Happens Without One

In British Columbia, if you die without a valid will — known as dying "intestate" — your estate is distributed according to the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA). The law sets out a formula based on family relationships: your spouse and children receive specific shares, and if there's no spouse or children, the estate passes to parents, siblings, and so on down the line.

The problem isn't that the system is unfair — it's that it's impersonal. It doesn't account for your actual relationships, your values, or your specific wishes. A common-law partner you've lived with for years may not receive what you intended. A friend who has been like family may receive nothing. A charity you care about won't be included. And if you have young children, the court — not you — will decide who raises them.

The process also takes longer and costs more without a will. The court must appoint an administrator, and the estate may require a bond, adding legal fees and delays that your family has to navigate during an already painful time.

Why People Put It Off

If you haven't written a will yet, you're in good company. There are a few common reasons people avoid it, and they're all understandable:

"I don't have anything worth distributing." You might be surprised. A car, a bank account, a small amount of savings, personal belongings, digital accounts — these all form part of your estate. And if you have children, the guardianship question alone makes a will essential.

"I can't decide how to divide things." This is a real and valid concern. Deciding who gets what — especially when family dynamics are complicated — can feel paralysing. But putting off the decision doesn't make it go away. It just transfers the difficulty to your family, without any guidance from you.

"I've told people what I want." Verbal wishes and handwritten notes, while meaningful, are not legally binding in most cases. In BC, a will must meet specific legal requirements to be valid — and while the courts have some discretion to validate informal documents, relying on that is a risk.

"I'll deal with it later." This is the most common reason of all. The truth is, none of us knows when "later" runs out. Writing a will now is one of the most practical and caring things you can do for the people you love.

Keep It Current

A will isn't something you write once and forget. Major life events should trigger a review: marriage, separation or divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a significant change in your finances, the death of a named beneficiary or executor, or a move to a different province (since estate laws vary across Canada).

A good rule of thumb is to review your will every few years, even if nothing major has changed. Circumstances evolve, relationships shift, and your wishes may change over time. Keeping your will current ensures it still reflects what you actually want.

Have the Conversation

One of the most valuable things you can do — beyond writing the will itself — is talk to your family about it. Many people avoid this, worried it will be awkward or lead to conflict. But in most cases, the opposite is true: having an open, honest conversation about your wishes prevents misunderstandings and reduces the chance of disputes after you're gone.

You don't need to share every detail. But letting your family know that a will exists, where it's kept, who the executor is, and the general intent behind your decisions can bring real peace of mind — for you and for them.

If you've made choices that some family members may find surprising, it's better to explain your reasoning now, when you can do so with care and context, than to leave people guessing later.

How This Connects to Funeral Planning

Will preparation and funeral preplanning go hand in hand. Both are acts of care — ways of making sure the people you love aren't left to make difficult decisions under pressure, without knowing what you would have wanted.

At Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services, many of the families we serve tell us how much it meant that their loved one had planned ahead — whether that was a will, a prearranged funeral, or simply a conversation about their wishes. The gift isn't the document itself. It's the clarity, the peace of mind, and the knowledge that everything has been taken care of.

If you'd like to start thinking about your funeral prearrangements alongside your estate planning, our team is here to help — with no pressure and no rush. We've also prepared a Will Planning Guide - free for anyone!