Can I change how much each beneficiary receives after I've already made my will?

Yes, you can change the share allocated to any beneficiary at any time while you have testamentary capacity. Your will does not become binding until your death, so you retain full control over your estate plan during your lifetime. There is no requirement to notify beneficiaries of changes, and they have no legal claim to a gift until you die.

The change must be made formally — either with a properly executed codicil or a new will. Informally telling someone you have changed your mind, crossing out amounts in the will, or emailing your estate trustee with new instructions does not change the legal document.

When changing shares, be mindful of how the percentages or amounts interact with the rest of the will. If you increase one beneficiary's share and forget to reduce another's, you may end up with shares that exceed 100% or create an internal conflict. Clear, consistent arithmetic is essential.

If you are making changes because of a family dispute or a desire to disinherit someone, be aware of Ontario's dependant support provisions — a financially dependent person may still be able to claim support from your estate even if you reduce or eliminate their gift. Discussing the change with a lawyer before finalizing it is advisable in these situations.