Making and Executing a Will (16:III)

A. Assessing Will-maker's Competence

To make a valid will, a person must be:

• 16 years of age;
• Have testamentary capacity;
• Intend to make a will; and
• Comply with the formalities in WESA.

1. Testamentary Capacity

a) Generally

The will-maker must have the requisite testamentary capacity. No person of unsound mind, who lacks testamentary capacity, is capable of making a valid will. Testamentary capacity is defined through the common law, not statute. The basic test is found in Banks v Goodfellow, (1870) LR 5 B 549 (QB) at p. 569; for a recent application of this test, see Serbina v Frejd, (2016) BCSC 33 (CanLII), para 81.

According to the Goodfellow test, to have testamentary capacity a will-maker must understand:

• The nature of the act of making a will and its effects;
• The extent of the property he or she is disposing; and
• Be able to comprehend and appreciate the claims to which he or she ought to give effect.

b) Presumption of Testementary Capacity

The law presumes that a will-maker has the requisite capacity, if a will was duly executed in accordance with the formal statutory requirements after being read over to a testator who appeared to understand it.

However, a student or lawyer taking instructions from the will-maker should nevertheless always assess the will-maker's capacity. This decision should be based on the will-maker's instructions, not any assertion from the will-maker that they are capable. To this end, avoid asking will-maker direct questions about capacity, such as “Are you capable?”

Some helpful lines of inquiry to assess capacity include: whether the will-maker can understand the nature of the testamentary act (that he or she is making a will), can recall the property, and can comprehend that he or she is excluding possible claimants under intestacy or through a wills variation claim. Delusions or partial insanity will not destroy testamentary capacity unless they directly affect testamentary capacity or influence the dispositions in the will.

c) Undue Influence and Suspicious Circumstances

A will or a portion of it that is made as a result of undue influence is not valid. Undue influence is not mere persuasion, but is physical or psychological coercion. There must be capacity to influence and the influence must have produced a will that does not represent the will-maker’s intent. A spouse, parent, or child, etc. may put his or her claims before the will-maker for recognition. This does not constitute undue influence unless it amounts to coercion. The will drafter should ensure that the will represents the will-maker’s intentions and that he or she is not being coerced into making the will or disposition against his or her wishes. This is especially relevant where the aged or infirm are concerned. (see Wingrove v Wingrove, (1885) 11 PD 81 (PD)); see also for more recent applications in Ashdown v Milburn, (1920) 50 DLR 523 (Sask CA) and Re Marsh Estate, (1991) 104 NSR (2d) 266 (NSCA).

d) Presumption of Validity

Under the common law, if a will was duly executed in accordance with the formal statutory requirements after being read over to a testator who appeared to understand it, it is presumed that the testator possessed the requisite capacity and knew and approved its contents.

This presumption is rebutted where “suspicious circumstances” exist. Suspicious circumstances may arise where a person who prepares a will also takes a benefit under it, though this is not exhaustive of all circumstances that raise a suspicion. The suspicion is that the will-maker did not know or approve of the contents of the will, and this suspicion must be removed before probate will be granted (see Riach v Ferris, [1934] SCR 725; see also more recent applications in Clark v Nash, (1989) 61 DLR (4th) 409 (BCCA) and Johnson v Pelkey, (1997) 36 BCLR (3d) 40 (SC)).

The Supreme Court held in Vout v Hay, [1995] 2 SCR 876, that where suspicious circumstances are proven, the burden of proof shifts to the propounder of the will to prove on balance of probabilities that the will-maker knew and approved of the will’s contents and had the necessary testamentary capacity. This problem is best avoided by ensuring the will is prepared by the will-maker or some independent party (e.g., a student or lawyer) and not by a beneficiary under the will or the spouse of a beneficiary. The doctrine of “suspicious circumstances” does not apply to undue influence. Under common law, the challenger must always prove undue influence. However, section 52 of WESA now provides that, if it is shown that the will-maker was in a position where the potential for domination or dependence was present, the burden shifts to the party seeking to defend the will to show that the will was not procured through undue influence.

B. Finding and Appointing a Personal Representative

1. Duties of a Personal Representative

The Executor or Administrator are responsible for the administration of the Estate, including calling and realizing assets, distributing assets, and winding up the Estate.

2. Executor

An Executor is appointed by the will-maker in the will to handle all aspects of the estate after the will-maker’s death. Any person, trust company or financial institution may be an Executor depending on the size of the estate. Although not recommended, a minor may be appointed; however, if he or she has not reached the age of majority on the will-maker’s death, probate may be delayed.

The will-maker should appoint a person that is willing to act, familiar with the estate, young enough to outlive him or her, and preferably living in BC. An alternative Executor should also be appointed in case the first Executor is unavailable. The Executor, if he or she accepts the position, must carry out the duties of Executor. The Executor may renounce under s 104 of WESA, if he or she has not already intermeddled with the estate. In this scenario, the administration of the estate passes as if he or she had never been appointed Executor.

3. Administrator

An Administrator is appointed by the court to administer the estate of a person who dies intestate (without a will). Section 130 of WESA provides the order of priority among applicants for administration of an intestate estate. An Administrator cannot act until the court grants Letters of Administration. An “administration with will annexed” may be granted where there is a will but the Executor named in the will cannot or will not act (e.g. due to refusal to act, incapacity, or death of the Executor). The order of priority for administration with will annexed is provided in section 131 of WESA. The Administrator’s legal capacity to act starts from the date of the granting of the Letters of Administration.

4. Personal Representative is Accountable

A personal representative is at a law a fiduciary and must act to the benefit of the estate and the beneficiaries. He or she cannot purchase from the estate unless he or she is given specific power to purchase in a will. He or she is accountable to the estate for any profit made while acting as Executor or Administrator. If the personal representative makes mistakes and causes loss to the estate, unless the court finds that he or she acted honestly and reasonably, that person could be held personally liable and could be required to replace the loss.

5. Remuneration and Benefits

A personal representative may be entitled to remuneration under a remuneration contract or pursuant to an express authority under the will. Otherwise, he or she is entitled to a fair and reasonable remuneration, not to exceed 5 percent of the gross aggregate value of the estate under s 88 of the Trustee Act, RSBC 1996, c 464, and an annual care and management fee not exceeding 0.4 percent of the average market value of the assets. A personal representative may be a beneficiary under the will, though it is a rebuttable presumption that any benefit other than a residuary bequest under the will is in lieu of compensation: see Canada Permanent Trust Co v Guinn, (1981) 32 BCLR 288 (SC).

A trust company can be appointed Executor but usually will not consent unless the assets are substantial. If the client requires a trust company to be appointed as the Executor, the client should be referred to a private lawyer.

C. Drafting a Will

Section 37 of WESA requires that a will be in writing. The will-maker and two or more witnesses in the presence of the will-maker must sign the will. It may be typed or handwritten, or both, as in the case of printed will forms.

1. Intention and Precision

A fundamental rule of drafting is to ascertain the will-maker’s intent regarding how the estate will be divided. Have the will-maker consider present desires as well as future possibilities. A beneficiary may predecease the will-maker and the will-maker may want the deceased’s share to go to someone else. Potential will variation claims must be anticipated. A qualified lawyer should be consulted if a wills variation claim may occur. See Section VI: Will Variation Claims, to determine when this issue might arise.

Use clear, precise language. Those drafting a will should make an effort to use fewer technical legal terms and more common language. The concepts of Latin maxims may be difficult for some to comprehend and cause unnecessary frustration. Using simple language will reassure clients that those who read it will understand what is being conveyed. Do not use words and phrases that are open to more than one interpretation. Be clear in describing property and time periods. Remember that certain terms used to describe property or relationships have precise legal meanings. Do not use them casually. Be careful describing property and beneficiaries. For example, the clause “I give the assets in my bank account to John” is poorly drafted. It may mean a savings account, checking account, or both. John may be a son, nephew or lover.

If the will is contested, the estate may be ordered to pay the legal fees and the beneficiaries will receive a reduced amount. However, where Executors are also beneficiaries and have a personal interest in the outcome of the litigation, courts may be reluctant to order costs be paid out of the estate: see Re Lapka Estate, (2005) 15 ETR (3d) 234 (BCSC) and Re Wilcox Estate, (2005) 13 ETR (3d) 120 (BCSC).

• NOTE: The clauses given below are merely examples. You should ensure that the clauses you use are appropriate and that the will is internally consistent. For example, if specific bequests are given to various persons, another clause in the will should not dispose of the entire estate, but may dispose of the residue. Consult a qualified lawyer, the CLEBC Wills and Personal Planning Precedents resource or any other books on will precedents for additional assistance with the structure of various clauses.

2. Actual Drafting

A will contains instructions about what should happen after the will-maker’s death. As a result, keep in mind the importance of precision and consistency when drafting a will. Generally, there are several paragraphs common to all wills. To see full will templates, consult the sources on page 4. The CLEBC’s Wills Precedents is especially useful. In addition, the top of each page of the will should identify the page by number and say “the Last Will and Testament of <will-maker’s name>” and should be initialled by the will-maker and witnesses.

3. Part I

The first part of the will deals with initial matters. The opening clause of a will is called the “domicile clause” and identifies the will-maker and the place where the will was made. The first paragraph is known as the revocation clause, which cancels any wills previously made. The next paragraph appoints the Executor and Trustee and an alternate Executor and Trustee of the will. Following this paragraph is the guardian clause, which appoints someone to look after any minor children. This is important in cases where the death of both parents occurs at the same time.

a) Openning and Revocation Clause

The opening clause is fairly standard. It identifies the will-maker, gives his or her place of residence and may state his or her occupation:

• SAMPLE: “This is the last will of me, [name], of [address], British Columbia.” (See 2016 CLE Wills Personal Planning Precedents, 1-2).

Though the last testamentary disposition of property is generally the effective one, it is standard practice to insert a general revocation clause that revokes all previous wills and codicils. This clause may be included even though the will-maker has never before made a will. It follows the opening clause.

• SAMPLE: “I revoke all my prior wills and codicils.” (2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 1-7).

The revocation clause should not revoke other non-will testamentary dispositions as this would revoke designations made on insurance policies, RRSPs, etc. This would cause these monies to fall into the estate. Should the will-maker wish this, it is more effective to designate the estate as the beneficiary to such policy or RRSP. Also note that this clause may need modification in some situations (e.g. if the client has a will in another jurisdiction disposing of assets in that jurisdiction). See page 1-7 of the 2016 edition of the CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents. If such a situation applies to a client, please refer them to a private lawyer.

b) Appointing the Executor and Trustee

• SAMPLE: “(a) I appoint my [relationship] [full name of executor/trustee] (“[executor/trustee name]”) of [executor/trustee’s address] to be my Trustee. (b) If my [relationship] [executor/trustee name] is unwilling or unable to act or continue to act as my Trustee, I appoint my [relationship] [full name of alternative executor/trustee] of [alternative executor/trustee’s address] to be my Trustee.” (See 2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 3-4)

The Executor also takes the role of a Trustee during the administration of the estate. However, the will-maker may wish to establish a continuing trust and thus appoint different people to be Executor and Trustee of a specific trust. A Trustee is appointed where the will-maker wishes to prevent the beneficiaries from squandering all or part of the estate and to provide for more capable management funds or property, or to provide for infant children until they attain the age of majority. A trustworthy and competent person should be chosen to be the Trustee. This person will have legal title to the property.

A bank or trust company may also be appointed. Their expertise and trustworthiness make them an excellent choice, though the cost may be prohibitive, especially with small and simple estates.

c) Appointing a Guardian

A will-maker may wish to appoint a guardian for his or her children during their age of minority (see Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c 25 s 53 (1) (a)) Financial assistance should be provided to the guardian to cover the costs of raising the children. This arrangement is made with the Trustee. The guardian must be prepared to accept the position and should be consulted beforehand.

A testator cannot grant a greater level of guardianship than he or she possesses. Also note that under section 176 of the Family Law Act, a child’s guardian does not automatically become a trustee of the child’s property. If there is any uncertainty regarding what type of guardianship the client has, or whether the client even has guardianship, the client should be referred to a family lawyer, as LSLAP cannot deal with questions of family law.

Those appointing a guardian should be aware that the court could review such a decision. As well, members of the family can apply to have a decision in the will set aside. However, it must be strictly proven that the guardian appointed by the will-maker is unsuitable for the position.

• SAMPLE: “I appoint [guardian name] to be the guardian of my minor children. It is my hope that, in accordance with the provisions of the Family Law Act of British Columbia, [guardian name] will appoint a guardian in [his/her] will, or otherwise, to be the guardian of my minor children.” (2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 4-2)

For more information, see Chapter 5: Children and the Law and Chapter 3: Family Law.

4. Part II

The second part of the will addresses the disposition of the estate. The Executor/Trustee is given the power to deal with the estate as he or she sees fit, namely, to sell assets and convert into money or postpone such conversion of the estate for such a length of time as he or she thinks best. Further, the Executor/Trustee directs payment of debts, specific bequests, cash legacies, gifts to spouse, and gifts to children (gifts of the residue of the estate).

a) Vesting Clause

This clause gives the Executor/Trustee the power to deal with the estate as he or she sees fit, in keeping with the will-maker’s wishes under the will and the Trustee’s fiduciary duties.

• SAMPLE: “I give my Trustee all my property of every kind and wherever located to administer as I direct in this Will. In administering my estate, my Trustee may convert or retain my estate as set out in paragraph(s)...” (2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 7-2)

Immediately after this clause, the student should insert the clause “I direct my Trustee to hold that property on the following trusts:” See the sample will template in 2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 50-2, to better understand how this would look.

b) Payment of Debts

This clause is usually inserted even though the Executor/Trustee is legally required to pay debts outstanding at death, reasonable funeral expenses, taxes, and legal fees out of the estate.

• SAMPLE: “(a) to pay out of my estate:

1. my debts, including income taxes payable up to and including the date of my death [and any financial charges with respect to any property which, pursuant to this will, is transferred free and clear to a beneficiary of beneficiaries];
2. my funeral and other expenses related to this will and my death; and
3. all estate, gift, inheritance, succession, and other death taxes or duties payable in respect of all property passing on my death in any foreign jurisdiction in order to obtain any property forming part of my estate which, in the opinion of my Trustee, has value greater than the taxes and other costs that must be paid in order to obtain it, and my Trustee may repay or delay payment of any taxes or duties” (2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 8-4)"

c) Items-in-Kind

The will-maker may wish to make a specific bequest of a personal article. The appropriate item must be listed.

• SAMPLE: “(a) to transfer and deliver absolutely my [article 1] to my [relationship] [article 1 name], if [he/she] is alive on the date that is 5 days after the date of my death.

“(b) [to pay [all/a specified portion] of the packing, freight, and insurance costs my Trustee decides [are/is] appropriate for delivering any items of the Articles as required by this will].” (2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 10-2)

d) Cash Legacies

The will-maker may wish to make a specific bequest of cash legacies.

• SAMPLE: “to pay the following cash legacies without interest and as soon after my death as practicable to such of the following named beneficiaries who are alive on the date that is 30 days after the date of my death: to my son, <name>, the sum of ONE THOUSAND ($1,000.00) DOLLARS; to my daughter, <name>, the sum of ONE THOUSAND ($1,000.00) DOLLARS.” (See 2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 12-5.)"

If the client feels that his or her estate may not be large enough to pay all desired legacies, the client may wish to express an order of priority for the legacies. See 2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 12-15.

e) Gift to Spouse

In the event of a common accident where both spouses die and it cannot be determined who died at what particular time, then each spouse’s estate passes as if they had outlived the other spouse (WESA s 5). In the case of a joint tenancy, the property is treated as if it were held as a tenancy in common (WESA s 5). These presumptions will be subject to contrary intention made in a will or other applicable instrument. Also, if a spouse does not survive the deceased spouse by five days, that person is deemed to have predeceased the deceased spouse (WESA s 10). Disposition of life insurance is dealt with differently under the Insurance Act, RSBC 1996 c 226, s 52 and 72.

To ensure that property passes according to the will-maker’s intention, a 30-day survivorship clause should be added, which requires the surviving spouse to survive the will-maker by 30 days (or such period as the will-maker wishes). A sample clause when the husband leaves the residue to the wife is:

• SAMPLE: “(a) to give the residue of my estate to [residue name], if [he/she] is alive on the date that is 30 days after the date of my death; “(b) if [residue name] is not alive on the date that is 30 days after the date of my death, [specify what to do with residue].” (2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, 14-2) If the will-maker is not giving a residue but the entire estate, the appropriate words would be “to give all my assets, both real and personal, of whatsoever kind and wheresoever situate, to…”

Because of the presumption that a reference in a will to a relationship is presumed to refer to legitimate relationships, a “common law spouse” should not be referred to as “my husband” or “my wife” but should be identified by name.

f) Gift to Children

If the will-maker’s spouse does not survive the will-maker, often the will-maker will want to leave the estate to his or her children. A will-maker must decide whether he or she wishes to divide the estate between only those children alive at the will-maker’s death, or if he or she wishes to benefit the issue of any pre-deceased child as well (i.e. grandchildren).

• SAMPLE: “If <name> is not alive on the date that is 30 days after the date of my death, to divide the residue of my estate into as many equal shares as there are of my children who are alive on the date that is 30 days after the date of my death, except that if any child of mine has died before that date and one or more of his or her children are alive on that date, that deceased child will be considered alive for the purposes of the division.” (2014 CLE Wills Precedents – An Annotated Guide, 16-26. For updated samples, see also 2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents – An Annotated Guide, 16-26)

[The will should then go on to detail the terms on which the shares will be distributed to the beneficiaries: e.g. the age at which the trustee should pay out the shares.]

If the children are under 19, usually a trust should be created for them until they reach majority age. See part k, Gifts to Children, immediately below. If a trust needs to be created for a minor child, the student should refer the client to a private lawyer.

5. Part III

a) Implied and Expressed Powers of Executor

The third part of a will deals with the administration of the estate. This section outlines the Trustee’s general powers and responsibilities: trusts for minors, payments for minors, and valuation of the estate. The only implied power of an Executor to deal with assets is a power to “call in” and sell the assets which are not specifically gifted in the will. Therefore, a well drafted will should involve several express powers so that the Executor can efficiently deal with the assets of the estate.

NOTE: There is an important distinction that must be made between the duties and powers of the Executor. On the one hand, duties are non-discretionary. They dictate a course of action that the Executor must take according to the intentions of the will-maker as set out in the will. On the other hand, powers are discretionary. They allow the executor to make decisions within a range of possibilities according to the intentions of the will-maker.

b) Gifts to Children

As a general rule, anyone named in a will can inherit under that will. However, minors cannot sign a valid receipt for their share in an estate.  In practical terms, this means that minors must wait until they reach the age of majority to inherit under a will. The parent, guardian, or other trustee for the benefit of the child would hold title to any real property until the child reaches age 19. When property is held by a trustee in trust for a child under the age of 19, the trustee is deemed to have the power to encroach and may, at his or her discretion, apply all or part of the income to which the child may be entitled towards the maintenance and/or education of the child (Trustee Act, RSBC 1996, c 464, s 24).

The clause creating the trust should:

• Create the trust for the benefit of the children;
• Set out a discretionary schedule of payments;
• Grant a power of encroachment and/or a direction to pay income;
• Leave a deceased beneficiary’s share to his or her children if he or she dies before reaching the age of vesting. If he or she has none, then the trust should direct who receives this bequest.
• Give the Trustee discretion to invest outside the Trustee Act, only if he or she is acquainted with business matters.

• SAMPLE: “If anyone becomes entitled to any part of my estate, is under the age of majority, and I have not specified terms in this will on which my Trustee is to hold that part, I direct my Trustee to hold that part, and:

1. Pay as much of the income and capital as my Trustee decides for that person’s benefit until that person reaches the age of majority;
2. Add any unused income to the capital of that person’s part of my estate and then pay the capital to that person when he or she reaches the age of majority, but if that person dies before reaching the age of majority, I direct my Trustee to pay that person’s part of my estate to that person’s estate; and
3. Regardless of paragraph X (a) and (b) above, and at any time my Trustee decides, pay some or all of that part of my estate to that person’s parent or guardian, to hold, and if that parent or guardian decides, apply some or all for that person’s benefit.” (See 2014 CLE Wills Precedents – An Annotated Guide, 19-4. For updated samples, see also 2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents – An Annotated Guide, 19-4.)

The intended beneficiaries (i.e. the children) need not be alive at the time of execution to be included if a general term such as “children” is used.

Section 153 of WESA provides that where there is no trustee in the estate, money bequeathed to a minor is paid to the Public Guardian in trust for that minor. The Infants Act (s 14(1)) states that, subject to the terms of a trust set up in a will, the Public Guardian may authorize payment of all or part of the trust for the maintenance, education or benefit of the infant. 

If part of an estate is distributed to a minor, the Executor or Administrator of an estate is left open to an action by the minor (upon reaching the age of majority) to repay all the monies distributed in a manner not in accordance with the terms of the will.

If a will-maker wants a clause to limit the Trustee’s investment powers, a wills precedent book must be consulted. If any of the persons the will-maker wishes to benefit are stepchildren, the will should clearly identify that person by name rather than merely by relationship (i.e. “children”). Stepchildren are not considered children under WESA, and should be referred to by name. Adopted children, however, are for all purposes the children of the adopting parents, and not the legal children of the natural birth parents, per section 3 of WESA.

It is possible for a minor to receive monetary gifts before he or she reaches the age of 19. However, before probate will be granted, the Public Guardian and Trustee of B.C. must be notified. The Trustee’s foremost concern is protecting the child, and it is in the Trustee’s discretion whether or not a gift will be given. They will consider factors such as the amount of the gift and its intended purpose.

c) Valuation of Estate

This section of a will outlines the Trustee’s general power and discretion to fix the value of the estate.

NOTE: While the Trustee has a general discretion to fix the value of the estate, there must be some factual basis to support this valuation. The Trustee has a fiduciary responsibility to act to the benefit of the estate and the beneficiaries.

• SAMPLE: “When my Trustee divides or distributes my estate, my Trustee may decide which assets of my estate (including, without limitation, money, publicly traded securities or other property, real or personal) to allocate to any share or interest in my estate (and not necessarily equally among any shares or interests) and the value of each of those assets. Whatever value my Trustee attributes to those assets will be final and binding on everyone interested in my estate.” (2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents – An Annotated Guide, 19-7)

6. Part IV

The fourth part of a will is concerned with the elimination of potential beneficiaries, funeral directions, and finally, execution and attestation.

a) Eliminating Potential Beneficiaries

See Part VI-A, Wills variation claims for more information regarding why eliminating potential beneficiaries can be problematic.

b) Funeral Directions

These directions are binding. The Executor must arrange for a funeral that is fitting having regard to the will-maker’s position and manner of life. Prudent practice is to advise the will-maker that he or she should make these wishes known to the Executor.

• SAMPLE: “I want my remains to be [buried/cremated]. I hope that if any funeral or memorial service is held as a result of my death it will be conducted with unostentatious simplicity.” (See 2016 CLE Wills and Personal Planning Precedents, Chapter 20.)

c) Execution and Attestation Clause

The execution and attestation clause must be on a page with a portion of the will. Never put it on a separate page and always have the will-maker sign it at the end of the will in the presence of two disinterested witnesses; there must be room for the two witnesses’ signatures (see Section III.E: Executing and Attesting the Will).

NOTE: Execute only the original will. Copies should not be signed by will-maker and witnesses, but can be photocopied or have facsimile signatures and dates inserted. Students should write or stamp the word “copy” on all photocopies.

SAMPLE:

“I have signed this Will on [month, day, year].

We were both present, at the request of [will-maker name], and we were both 19 years of age or older, when this Will was read to [him/her] by [signor]. [Will-maker name] appeared to thoroughly understand it and approve its contents. We remained present while [signor], also in the presence of [will-maker name], and at [his/her] direction, signed this Will with the name of [will-maker name]. We then signed as witnesses in the presence of both [will-maker name] and [signor] and in the presence of each other.

________________________ Signature of Witness ________________________ Printed Name _______________________ Address (Street) _______________________ City _______________________ Occupation _______________________ Signature of Witness ________________________ Printed Name ________________________ Address (Street) ________________________ City ________________________ Occupation

________________________ [full name of will-maker]

(2016 CLE Wills Personal Planning Precedents, 21-5)

D. Executing a Will

1. Presumption of Proper Execution

Inclusion of a signed attestation clause will raise a presumption that the will is properly executed (Re Gardner, [1935] OR 71 (Ont CA)). An attestation clause is a clause at the end of the will where the will-maker signs his or her name testifying to the fact that he or she is signing the approved will. This is also the place where the two witnesses must sign to show that they have witnessed the will-maker approving of the will.

If special circumstances exist, e.g. the Will-maker is blind or illiterate, a wills form manual should be consulted in order to draft the appropriate attestation clause.

2. Beneficiary's Debt to Estate

According to Re Johnston Estate, 2017 BCSC 272, the rule in Cherry v Boultbee applies in Canada. This means that the beneficiary is required to bring his or her debts towards the estate into account, even if the debt claim would otherwise be statute barred by the limitations act. Re Johnston Estate states that “the purpose of the rule was to prevent a beneficiary who owed money to an estate from receiving more than his or her fair share of the estate.”

E. Attesting the Will

1. Signature of a Will-Maker

a) Meaning of Signature

There must be a signature or a mark on the will intended to be a signature. Thus, something less than a signature, e.g. initials, will be sufficient where it is intended to represent the name and to be a signature (In the Goods of Chalcraft, [1948] 1 All ER 700; Re Schultz Estate, [1984] 4 WWR 278 (Sask Surr Ct)). Where necessary, the will-maker’s hand may be guided by another person; however, this requires the will-maker’s clear direction or consent (Re: White, (1948) 1 DLR 572 (NS App Div)).

The will-maker need not sign the will him or herself. Section 1(1) and (2) of WESA provides that the will-maker’s signature includes “a signature made by another person in the will-maker's presence and by the will-maker's direction.” Where someone else signs on behalf of the will-maker, there must be some act or word by the will-maker constituting a direction or request. When someone else signs, that person may sign in either the will-maker’s name or his or her own name, but this circumstance should be noted in the attestation clause (Re: Fiszhaut Estate, (1966) 55 WWR 303 (BCSC)). If this issue should arise, there must be further review to ensure the signature’s legal validity.

b) Posititon of SIgnature

Section 37(1)(b) of WESA requires the signature be at the end of the will. Section 39 defines when a will is deemed to be signed at the end and provides that a disposition made below or after the signature is of no effect. Case law has taken a liberal view of these requirements, finding a signature not at the end to have been intended to be at the end (In the Goods of Henry Hornby, [1946] All ER 150 and Currie v Potter [1981] 6 WWR 377 (Man QB)) and finding a disposition after the signature to have been intended to precede the signature (Palin v Ponting, [1930] para 185, considered in Beniston Estate v Shepherd, (1996) 16 ETR (2d) 71 (BCSC)). However, to ensure the validity of the will and all dispositions, the will should be signed at its end, after all dispositions. When a will is more than one page, it should be signed at the end of the last page and there should be a portion of the will on the last page. The last page of the will should indicate the will-maker is signing this page as the last of all the pages constituting the will. Although not required, the will-maker and witnesses should initial the other pages of the will.

2. Signature of Witnesses

a) Generally

The will-maker must make or acknowledge the signature in the joint presence of two attesting witnesses present when the will is signed (WESA, s 37) A beneficiary of the will should never witness the will, as it may void the gift they receive through the will (WESA, s 40 & s 43). It will be sufficient if the will-maker has made his or her signature in the joint presence of the witnesses. If he or she has not, the will-maker must acknowledge the signature in the witnesses’ presence, as it becomes a question of fact that witnesses must have actually seen or been able to see the signature when the Will-maker acknowledged it (see Re Schafner, (1956) 2 DLR (2d) 593 (NSSC)).

Both witnesses must also attest after the will-maker makes or acknowledges his or her signature in their joint presence. Though they need not sign in each other’s presence, they must each sign in the presence of the will-maker who must actually see or be able to see the witnesses sign (WESA, s 37(1)(c)). Attesting witnesses must be able to confirm the will-maker’s execution of the will; they do not need to be aware of the contents of the will.

b) Competence of Witnesses

Any person 19 years of age or older may be a witness (WESA s 40(1)).

A will is not invalid if the only reason is a witness is legally incapable of proving the will either at the time the will was signed by the will-maker or afterwards. However, if the witness is not 19 years old or older at the time the will was signed by the will-maker, then the will is invalid.

c) Gifts to Witnesses

Section 43 of WESA provides that a gift to a witness, or the spouse of a witness, to a testamentary document is void. Section 43(3) of WESA explicitly provides that, even if such a gift is void, this has no effect on the validity of the remainder of the Will.

There is one exception to this rule. Section 43(4) of WESA provides that, if the court is satisfied that the will-maker intended to make the gift to the person, the gift to the witness will not be void.

F. Court’s Power to Cure Deficiencies and Rectify Wills

Section 58 of WESA gives the courts the power to recognize any “record” that gives effect to the testamentary disposition of the deceased, even if it does not comply with the formalities of WESA and/or the common law. This means that the court can give effect to a document or other record that contains a testamentary disposition. As such, individuals should be cautious about drafting documents that may be construed as a testamentary disposition.

The leading case on section 58 is Estate of Young, (2015) BCSC 182, in which the court considers case law from Manitoba considering a similar provision (section 22 of The Wills Act, CCSM W150) in order to interpret section 58.

The court observes that the curative power of section 58 is very fact-sensitive and that section 58’s purpose is to cure formal invalidities and not to be used to uphold a will that is invalid for any substantive reasons. For example, the court can uphold a will that does not adhere to the format that a will should take under WESA, however, it cannot uphold a will that is deemed invalid because of testamentary incapacity or undue influence.

There are two principal issues for consideration that the courts take into account when assessing whether an impugned document should be recognized:

1. Whether the document is authentic.
2. Whether the non-compliant document represents the deceased’s testamentary intentions. The court then goes on to specify: “The key question is whether the document records a deliberate or fixed and final expression of intention as to the disposal of the deceased’s property on death.”

The court includes a non-exhaustive list of factors that may be taken into consideration when assessing a document:

• the presence of the deceased’s handwriting;
• witness signatures;
• revocation of previous wills;
• funeral arrangements;
• specific bequests; and
• the title of the document.

Although section 58 gives the court broad powers to give effect to the intentions of the will-maker, this power does have limitations. Therefore, every effort should be made to follow the proper procedure when drafting a will in order to avoid future complications. As the court notes in Estate of Young, “[w]hile imperfect or even non compliance with formal testamentary requirements may be overcome by application of a sufficiently broad curative provision, the further a document departs from the formal requirements the harder it may be for the court to find it embodies the deceased’s testamentary intention.”

Section 59 of WESA gives the courts the power to rectify an error or omission in a will in order to give effect to the intentions of the will-maker. Extrinsic evidence is permissible to determine the intent of the Will-maker.

This is a significant provision, as it allows the courts to consider evidence that would otherwise not be admissible in order to determine the intent of the will-maker. Revocation of wills is governed by s 55 of WESA. These sections outline the only ways in which a will may be revoked.

a) Meaning of Record

According to WESA section 58, “record” means all data that is (a) recorded or stored electronically, (b) can be read by a person, and (c) is capable of reproduction in a visible form.

G. Filling a Wills Notice

After the will is complete, a Wills Notice should be filed with the Department of Vital Statistics in Victoria (s 73, WESA). The purpose of the notice is to record the existence and location of the will and make it easier to find the will after the will-maker’s death. A will-maker is not required by law to file a Wills Notice, but it is recommended, as a wills search must be undertaken by the Executor or Administrator before the Letters of Probate or Letters of Administration are granted.

A Wills Notice should be filed whenever a will is made, revised, revoked or moved or whenever a codicil is executed. In order to file a Wills Notice, you must have the following information:

• Your legal name and date of birth
• Your place of birth
• The date you signed the will
• The location of your will; and
• The date you filed the note with the Vital Statistics Agency

There are three ways of filing a Wills Notice, either online, by mail, or in person. But for all three of these methods there is a $17.00 charge for filing, payable to the Minister of Finance. Forms are available from: Vital Statistics Agency, Web site: www.vs.gov.bc.ca/forms/index.html. If you want to file it by mail, then you will have to fill out a VSA 531 form and mail the completed form to: Vital Statistics Agency, PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt, 818 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8W 9P3.

Finally, you can submit your VSA 531 in person to any service BC locations. You can find a list of them at http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/technology-innovation-and-citizens-services/servicebc

If a will is made with LSLAP, the forms are also on file in the LSLAP office. The notice should be made in duplicate and the original notice sent to the Vital Statistics Agency, the copy either kept with the will or with the personal representative. Do not send a copy of the will. Students may not sign the notice as the client’s solicitor. The client must sign the form.

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