Signing your will isn't the finish line. Here's what to check, and the life events that should send you back to it.
Who this is for & what you'll get: Any Ontario adult who already has a will and powers of attorney (or a will that's been sitting in a drawer for years). You'll get the life events that should trigger a review, a section-by-section checklist of what to confirm, and a sensible default for how often to look even when nothing has changed.
⚖️ This is a general guide, not legal advice. It can't account for your specific situation. Use it to get oriented, then confirm the details with a licensed Ontario lawyer.
An estate plan is a snapshot of your life on the day you signed it. Lives move on — and a plan that fit perfectly five years ago can quietly stop reflecting your wishes, name people who have died, or contradict your beneficiary forms. Reviewing it is quick. Not reviewing it is how families end up surprised.
Part 1 — Life events that should trigger a review
If any of these have happened since you last looked at your plan, move it to the top of your to-do list.
- You got married.
Why it matters: Marriage can change spousal rights and how your estate is treated. Don't assume an old will still does what you want once you marry.
- You separated or divorced.
Why it matters: In Ontario, divorce can revoke the parts of your will that benefit a former spouse or name them as executor — and since January 1, 2022 the same treatment applies to a spouse you are separated from when you die, but only where the statutory test for being "separated" is met, and it does not reach beneficiary designations, jointly held property, or your powers of attorney. People routinely leave an ex with rights they never intended. This is one of the most urgent triggers on the list.
- You entered or ended a common-law relationship.
Why it matters: Common-law partners have no automatic inheritance under Ontario's intestacy rules — and aren't automatically removed the way a divorced spouse may be. Both directions need attention.
- A child or grandchild was born or adopted.
Why it matters: New family members may need to be added, and you may want to name (or update) a guardian for a minor child.
- An executor, trustee, guardian, or beneficiary died — or became unable or unsuitable to serve.
Why it matters: If a key person named in your plan is gone and you named no backup, your estate can stall or end up administered by someone you wouldn't have chosen.
- Your assets changed significantly — bought or sold a home, came into money, opened or closed major accounts.
Why it matters: Specific gifts can fail if the asset no longer exists, and the balance of your plan can drift so one beneficiary gets far more or less than you intended.
- You started, sold, or wound down a business.
Why it matters: Business succession, shareholder agreements, and tax planning interact with your will. A sale or new venture can make an old plan obsolete overnight.
- You moved to (or from) Ontario — or out of Canada.
Why it matters: Estate law differs by province and country. A will built for one jurisdiction may not work cleanly in another, and cross-border situations add tax complexity.
- A beneficiary's circumstances changed — a disability, a marriage breakdown, creditor or addiction problems, or simply becoming an adult.
Why it matters: A beneficiary who now receives ODSP may need a Henson trust; a young adult may need a staged trust rather than a lump sum.
- The law changed.
Why it matters: Ontario periodically updates the rules on wills, estate administration, and tax. A plan written under older rules may benefit from an update.
⚠️ Separation is the silent trap. Many people assume splitting up automatically rewrites their whole plan. Separation only rewrites your will where the statutory test is met, and it doesn't touch beneficiary designations, jointly held property, or your powers of attorney at all — so your ex may still be your beneficiary, your attorney, or (in some cases) your executor. If you've separated, review now.
Part 2 — The review itself, section by section
When you sit down (with or without your lawyer), confirm each of these still reflects your wishes today.
Your will
- The executor / estate trustee is still willing, able, and the right choice — and you've named at least one backup.
- Your beneficiaries are correct, and any specific gifts still make sense and still exist.
- The residue (what's left over) goes where you intend, with a per stirpes or backup plan if a beneficiary dies before you.
- Any trusts in the will (for minors, a spouse, or a disabled beneficiary) still fit your family.
- Ages and conditions on gifts to younger beneficiaries are still appropriate.
Powers of attorney
- Your Power of Attorney for Property names someone you still trust to manage your finances, with a backup.
- Your Power of Attorney for Personal Care names the right person for health and care decisions, with a backup.
- The people you named are still alive, able, and aware they've been chosen.
Beneficiary designations (the easy thing to forget)
- RRSP / RRIF, TFSA, pensions, and life insurance name the right beneficiaries.
- No former spouse or deceased person is still listed on any of these forms.
- Your designations don't contradict your will (these assets often pass directly, outside it).
Why it matters: Beneficiary forms override your will for those assets. An out-of-date RRSP designation can send a large sum to exactly the wrong person, no matter how carefully your will is drafted.
Guardians and dependants
- The guardian named for any minor children is still your choice and is willing.
- Anyone who depends on you financially is provided for.
Your asset list and ownership
- You have a current list of assets, debts, and accounts (so your executor isn't hunting blind).
- You've checked how big assets are owned — joint ownership and right of survivorship pass outside your will and can override your intentions.
Where the documents live
- Your executor and attorneys know the documents exist and where to find them.
- The originals are stored safely (signed originals matter — a photocopy is not a substitute), and the location is recorded.
- Contact details for your lawyer, accountant, and financial advisor are accessible to the right people.
Part 3 — How often, even if nothing happened?
No triggering event? You should still take a look on a schedule.
A good default: review your estate plan every 3 to 5 years, and immediately whenever any Part 1 event happens. Reading through it takes an evening; minor updates are usually quick and inexpensive.
A light review most cycles, and a proper sit-down with your lawyer when something material has changed, keeps your plan from drifting out of date without anyone noticing.
What's next
- Pull your documents out of the drawer and actually read them — most people haven't since they signed.
- Run Part 1. If anything is checked, book a review.
- Run Part 2 and flag anything that no longer fits.
- Fix the beneficiary forms even before you update the will — they're fast and high-impact.
- Tell your executor and attorneys where everything is.
How Treadstone Law can help
Updating an estate plan is usually far simpler than building one from scratch — a codicil, a fresh will, or new powers of attorney, depending on what's changed. We'll tell you which you actually need.
- Flat, transparent fees — clear pricing for updates and reviews.
- Online intake and virtual service across Ontario — review from home.
- Office in Mississauga, serving clients province-wide.
Start your file online at treadstonelaw.ca/start-file, see treadstonelaw.ca/wills-estates and treadstonelaw.ca/pricing, or call 1-844-900-1070 to book a review.
This is not legal advice
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Ontario laws, tax rates, and government programs change, and how the law applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, speak with a licensed Ontario lawyer. Treadstone Law is licensed by the Law Society of Ontario — reach us at 1-844-900-1070 or start a file online.