Most people treat a will like a fire extinguisher: get one, put it away, and hope you never think about it again. But a will is not a one-time purchase — it is a snapshot of your life at the moment you signed it. As the years pass in Vernon, Armstrong, or Lake Country, families grow and change, properties are bought and sold, businesses start and wind down, and relationships shift. The will in your drawer stays frozen in time.
An outdated will can be almost as problematic as no will at all. It may leave assets to the wrong people, name an executor who can no longer act, or simply fail to mention the people and property that now matter most. Here is a practical guide to the life events that should send North Okanagan residents back to their lawyer for a will review — and why timing matters.
Marriage, Separation, and Divorce
Few events reshape an estate plan like a change in relationship status.
- Marriage or entering a committed spousal relationship. Your spouse gains significant rights under BC law, and your existing will may no longer reflect how you want your estate divided. If your will predates the relationship entirely, it almost certainly needs attention.
- Separation and divorce. Under BC's estate legislation, separation and divorce can affect how parts of a will operate with respect to a former spouse — but relying on default rules is risky. The safest course after a relationship ends is a fresh will that says exactly what you intend.
- New common-law relationships. In BC, spousal rights are not limited to married couples. If you have been living in a marriage-like relationship, your estate plan should account for it.
The theme across all three: do not assume the law will quietly fix your will for you. Update it deliberately.
Children, Grandchildren, and Blended Families
- A new child or grandchild. Wills often define beneficiaries by name rather than by class, meaning a child born after signing may be unintentionally left out — or covered by wording that no longer fits.
- Guardianship. Parents of minor children should ensure their will names a guardian, and that the named person is still willing, able, and appropriate as years pass.
- Children reaching adulthood. Trust provisions written for toddlers may make little sense for adults; ages, staged distributions, and trustee choices may all deserve a rethink.
- Blended families. Second marriages and stepchildren create some of the most delicate estate planning situations. Balancing a current spouse's needs against children from a prior relationship rarely works well with a basic template will.
Buying, Selling, and Moving
Property changes are a classic trigger for review:
- Buying a home or recreational property. A new house in Vernon, acreage near Armstrong, or a lakefront property in Lake Country changes the shape of your estate — and how it should be handled.
- Selling property that was specifically gifted. If your will leaves "my house on X Street" to someone and you sell it, that gift may simply fail, changing your intended distribution.
- Moving to British Columbia. A will made in another province or country may remain valid, but it may not work smoothly with BC's legal framework, and companion documents such as powers of attorney and representation agreements are more province-specific. New residents to the Okanagan should have everything reviewed.
Changes to the People in Your Plan
Your will relies on people as much as on wording. Review it when:
- Your executor can no longer act — due to death, illness, relocation, or a relationship that has cooled. An executor overseas or estranged from the family can bog down an estate.
- A beneficiary dies or your relationship with them changes significantly.
- A named guardian's circumstances change — new health issues, a move away from the region, or their own family pressures.
- Someone in your plan develops a disability or begins receiving benefits that an inheritance could affect; trust planning may become important.
Business and Financial Milestones
For business owners across the North Okanagan, personal and business planning are intertwined:
- Starting or incorporating a business. Your shares are an asset your will must deal with, and your plan should mesh with any shareholder or partnership agreements.
- Selling a business or retiring. The composition of your estate changes dramatically, and old provisions may no longer make sense.
- Significant changes in wealth, in either direction. A will drafted for a modest estate may be poorly suited to a larger one, and vice versa.
Common Questions About Updating a Will
How often should I review my will even if nothing big has happened?
A simple check every three to five years is a reasonable habit. Most reviews take little time and end with reassurance rather than revisions.
Can I just cross things out and write changes on my will?
No — handwritten alterations on a signed will can create serious validity problems. Changes should be made through a properly executed new will or formal amendment.
Is a small change expensive to make?
Usually the effort is modest, especially compared with the cost and conflict an outdated will can cause an estate. Many clients pair a will update with a review of their power of attorney and representation agreement.
What happens if I die with an outdated will?
The will as written generally governs, even if it no longer reflects your wishes. In some cases, BC courts can be asked to address unfair outcomes — but litigation is exactly what good planning is meant to avoid.
Should my spouse and I update our wills together?
Couples commonly review their documents at the same time so the plans work in concert, though each person's will is their own.
A Clear Plan That Keeps Up With Your Life
At Abbey Law Corporation, we see wills as living documents that should grow alongside the people who make them. Our approach is straightforward: plain language, honest answers, and advice grounded in the realities of life in Vernon, Armstrong, Lake Country, and the wider North Okanagan — where we have served families for more than a decade. Whether your will needs a small refresh or a complete rethink, we will tell you clearly which one it is and why.
If any of the life events above sound familiar, it is probably time to dust off that document and take a look.