Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Wills and Estate Administration (16:I)"

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{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = wills}}
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = wills}}


This chapter provides a summary of will preparation and estate administration procedure. In this chapter, any reference to a court is to the BC Supreme Court.
This chapter provides a summary of will preparation and estate administration procedure. In this chapter, any reference to a court is to the BC Supreme Court, unless otherwise stated.


The ''Wills, Estates and Succession Act'', SBC 2009, c 13 [''WESA''], came into force on 31 March 2014. ''WESA'' substantially revised wills and estates law in BC by repealing and consolidating the ''Estate Administration Act'', RSBC 1996, c 122; the ''Probate Recognition Act'', RSBC 1996, c 376; the ''Wills Act'', RSBC 1996, c 489; and the ''Wills Variation Act'', RSBC 1996, c 490.
The ''Wills, Estates and Succession Act'', SBC 2009, c 13 [''WESA''], came into force on 31 March 2014. ''WESA'' substantially revised wills and estates law in BC by repealing and consolidating the ''Estate Administration Act'', RSBC 1996, c 122; the ''Probate Recognition Act'', RSBC 1996, c 376; the ''Wills Act'', RSBC 1996, c 489; and the ''Wills Variation Act'', RSBC 1996, c 490.


''WESA'' now applies to '''all''' wills in BC if the deceased dies on or after 31 March 2014, except where:
''WESA'' now applies to '''all''' wills in BC if the deceased dies on or after 31 March 2014, except where:
* The will was validly made before ''WESA'' comes into force, but would be invalid under ''WESA''; or
* The will was validly made before ''WESA'' comes into force, but would be invalid under ''WESA''; or
* The will was revoked before ''WESA'' comes into force (i.e. ''WESA'' will not revive validly revoked wills);
* The will was revoked before ''WESA'' comes into force (i.e. ''WESA'' will not revive validly revoked wills);

Revision as of 21:34, 11 October 2022

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on July 8, 2022.



This chapter provides a summary of will preparation and estate administration procedure. In this chapter, any reference to a court is to the BC Supreme Court, unless otherwise stated.

The Wills, Estates and Succession Act, SBC 2009, c 13 [WESA], came into force on 31 March 2014. WESA substantially revised wills and estates law in BC by repealing and consolidating the Estate Administration Act, RSBC 1996, c 122; the Probate Recognition Act, RSBC 1996, c 376; the Wills Act, RSBC 1996, c 489; and the Wills Variation Act, RSBC 1996, c 490.

WESA now applies to all wills in BC if the deceased dies on or after 31 March 2014, except where:

  • The will was validly made before WESA comes into force, but would be invalid under WESA; or
  • The will was revoked before WESA comes into force (i.e. WESA will not revive validly revoked wills);

If you are seeking legal advice on an existing will, remember that except for sections 16, 25 30 and 44(3), the Wills Act applies only to wills made after 31 March 1960 (section 44(1)).

WESA also applies to estates where there is no valid will, known as an “intestacy”.


© Copyright 2023, The Greater Vancouver Law Students' Legal Advice Society.