What if I die without a Will?

June 3, 2022

Wills & Estate Planning

Langley Will Service

Most people think that they don’t need a Will because they don’t own much. Others think that the government will get it all.

So, are these beliefs correct? Yes and No.

First, there are many other reasons to prepare your Will besides transferring your estate – such as appointing Executors, Guardians of your minor kids, and making sure that your estate goes to the right people, but not to the ones that the government decides.

Secondly, the government doesn’t “get it all”, but dying “intestate” (without a Will) makes your estate going through Administration process instead of Probate, which is normally costlier and more time consuming.

The new Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA) that came into effect 2 years ago has changed the structure of the intestate distribution, which is quite different than the previous structure. However, the most questions that might affect your estate could include the following questions:

  • How my estate will be divided?
  • Who takes control of your estate when dying without a Will?
  • Who will pay for the Public Guardian and Trustee to administer your estate?

If you have more questions like these, please contact us for a FREE estate planning meeting where you can find the answers!

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Block quote

Ordered list

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

Unordered list

Superscript

Bold text

  • Item A
  • Item B
  • Item C

Text link

Emphasis

Subscript

Power of Attorney: The Most Overlooked and Misunderstood Legal Document

Incapacity & Personal Planning

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in BC

Wills & Estate Planning
Man stamping a notarized document

Certified Copies vs. Notarized Documents: What’s the Difference?

Notarizations & Apostille Authentications
Child with scooter behind barrier, representing minors traveling without parents and the need for a notarized travel consent letter.

Travel Consent Letters for Minors : What They Are and How a Notary Can Help

Notarizations & Apostille Authentications
Two people signing a representation agreement in BC.

What is the role of a Representation Agreement when Planning for Incapacity

Incapacity & Personal Planning
A couple consulting with a professional advisor in a modern office setting, reviewing documents related to wills or estate planning, with a laptop open on the table.

What Is a 'Death Binder' and Why Would I Need an Ultimate Checklist in Case of Death or Incapacity?

Wills & Estate Planning