Make a Will Month

Every November, the Ontario Bar Association recognizes Make a Will Month — a timely reminder for Ontarians to ensure one of life’s most important documents is in place. Yet, despite its significance, more than half of Canadians — 51% — don’t have a Will. It’s something many of us mean to “get to one day,” but busy schedules, uncertainty, or discomfort with the topic often push it aside.

At Walker Head, we’ve seen firsthand how having — or not having — a Will can profoundly impact families, businesses, and loved ones. A properly drafted Will is more than a legal formality; it’s a final act of care and clarity for the people who matter most.

Here’s why this one document may be the most important you’ll ever sign — especially if you live in Ontario.

1. Because Your Family Deserves Clarity, Not Conflict

In Ontario, if you pass away without a Will, the Succession Law Reform Act dictates how your estate will be divided. That means the legislation, not you, decides who inherits your assets — and that can lead to confusion, hurt feelings, and even legal disputes.

A Will gives you the power to decide:

• Who receives what — from your home and savings to treasured family heirlooms.
  

• Who will care for your children or dependants.
  

• Who will act as your estate trustee (executor) to carry out your wishes.
  

Without clear directions, loved ones are left making difficult decisions at an already emotional time. We’ve seen families delay grieving because they’re tied up in paperwork and uncertainty. By contrast, a well-prepared Will brings peace of mind and allows your family to focus on what truly matters — honouring your memory and supporting one another.

In Ontario, having a Will isn’t just about dividing assets; it’s about protecting relationships and preserving harmony when your family needs it most.

2. Because Life Changes — and So Should Your Plans

Many people think of Wills as “one and done.” But life events — marriages, divorces, children, business growth, or home ownership — all affect your estate. Updating your Will ensures your intentions reflect your current life. You might:

• Include new family members or grandchildren.
  

• Protect a blended family with clear inheritance directions.
  

• Adjust your estate to reflect charitable goals or new assets.
  

At Walker Head, we often meet clients who created their Wills 10 or 15 years ago. Once we review them, many realize how much their circumstances — and Ontario’s laws — have changed. A short meeting now can prevent major complications later.

Your life evolves — your legacy should, too. A Will that grows with you ensures your story is told the way you intended.

3. Because Protecting What You’ve Built Is a Final Act of Love

Whether you own a family business in Durham Region, a cottage in Muskoka, or a home in Ajax, Pickering, Whitby Oshawa and beyond— you’ve worked hard to build a life in Ontario. A Will safeguards those achievements, ensuring your property, business, and legacy transfer smoothly to the people or causes that matter most.

For business owners, it can also ensure continuity by outlining what happens to company shares or partnerships, preventing disruption for employees or co-owners. And if you have dependants with special needs, your Will can include trusts and instructions to secure their long-term care. Without this, legislation— not your insight — determine their future.

Writing a Will isn’t about planning for death — it’s about showing love, foresight, and respect for the life you’ve built and the people who helped you build it.

4. To be valid in Ontario, a formal Will must be:

•  Made by someone 18 years or older who is capable of making a Will,
  

• In writing,

• Signed by the testator in the presence of two or more adult witnesses who are present at the same time, and

• Two or more of the witnesses sign the Will in the presence of the testator.

While “do-it-yourself” Will kits exist, even small errors can make a Will invalid or unclear — leading to costly court proceedings. That’s why many Ontarians choose to work with a lawyer to ensure their Will is thorough, accurate, and legally binding.

Start the Conversation This Month

Make a Will Month is the perfect time to start — or revisit — your estate planning. It’s not just for the elderly or wealthy; it’s for every adult who wants to protect their loved ones and ensure their wishes are respected.

At Walker Head, our Wills & Estates team has decades of experience helping Ontarians craft plans that are both legally sound and deeply personal. We take the time to understand your family, your values, and your vision for the future — so your Will reflects not only what you’ve built, but what you believe in.

If you’ve been meaning to “get around to it,” let this November be the month you do. Because a Will is more than a document — it’s the legacy of care you leave behind.