New Wills and Estates Law in B.C.

The Wills, Estates and Succession Act aimed at providing greater certainty and a simpler process for those distributing an estate should bring sweeping change to British Columbia.

Passed in 2009 but not effective until 2014, this new law should clarify the process of intestate succession, simplify the process of transferring jointly held title of a family home, assist those trying to find heirs, provide the court with more discretion to respect last wishes, and lower the minimum age to make a will from 19 to 16.  The government also hopes the new law will ensure consistency with probate applicants and provide more timely service with a streamlined process.

See Ian Mulgrew, New Wills and Estates Law Brings Sweeping Change to B.C., The Vancouver Sun, Dec. 28, 2013.