Last Will and Testament in Canada: Why I Wrote My Will

By: Jerome Ordas

There comes a time in life not marked by fear, but by wisdom when you pause and ask yourself: What truly matters?

For me, it wasn’t the house, the car, or the savings account. It was my children. The people I love. The life I’ve built with them. And the question that kept me up at night was this:

What would happen to them if I wasn’t here tomorrow?

That’s when I realized that writing a Last Will and Testament wasn’t about preparing for death it was about protecting life. It was about love.

The Hardest Question I Had to Answer

As a parent, the most difficult but most important decision we had to make was who would raise our minor children if we couldn’t.

Without a will, that decision would be left to the courts. And while judges do their best, they don’t know our family values, our family dynamics, or what our children need emotionally.

By naming a legal guardian in our wills, we can make sure:

• Our children would be raised by someone we trust

• There would be no family disputes or custody battles

• They’d have emotional and financial stability during the hardest time of their lives

It wasn’t easy. But it brought peace.

A Real Custody Case That Changed My Perspective

Then there was the case in Ontario. A child was removed from unsafe conditions and placed in foster care. The grandparents applied for custody, believing family should come first. But the child had bonded deeply with the foster family who had cared for them for over a year.

The court had to choose: biological ties or emotional stability?

In the end, the judge ruled in favor of the foster family. It was a heartbreaking reminder that without clear guardianship instructions, even the most loving families can end up in court fighting over a child who just needs stability and love.

What Happens When There’s No Will

In Canada, if you pass away without a valid will (called dying intestate), provincial laws decide how your estate is divided. This can lead to outcomes that don’t reflect your wishes—and may leave loved ones feeling forgotten or uncertain.

I’d heard stories before, but one in particular stayed with me.

A well-known Canadian artist passed away in 2015 without a will. His estate worth over $6.25 million was left without direction. His siblings entered a bitter legal dispute over how it should be managed. The court had to appoint an independent trustee. Years of emotional stress and legal fees followed.

All of it could have been avoided with a simple will. A will brings clarity, reduces legal costs, and speeds up the probate process.

Estate Planning: Beyond the Will

Writing my will was just the beginning. I learned that a complete estate plan includes more than just naming beneficiaries it’s about preparing for every stage of the transition.

Here’s what I added to my plan:

• Wealth Transfer Strategy: I outlined how my assets savings, investments, and property would be passed on efficiently, minimizing confusion and maximizing impact.

• Tax Planning After Death: Design efficient strategies to pass on your assets while minimizing taxes, legal delays, and family disputes.

• Funeral Concierge Services: I included my preferences for funeral arrangements and connected with a concierge service to ensure my family wouldn’t have to make difficult decisions during a time of grief. It was one more way to say, I’ve taken care of you.

A Final Gift of Love

Writing my will wasn’t about expecting the worst. It was about giving my family the best no matter what happens.

It’s more than a legal document.
It’s a message across time.
It says: You were thought of. You were loved. You were protected.

A will is more than a legal document. It’s a message across time.
It says: You were thought of. You were loved.

Ready to Protect Your Legacy? We're Here to Help.

Creating a will is just the beginning. Whether you're planning for your family's future or ensuring your final wishes are honored, we offer comprehensive, compassionate support every step of the way.

Here’s how we can help:

• 📝 Last Will and Testament. Create a legally binding Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney, and Living Will—customized to reflect your wishes and protect your loved ones.

• 🏡 Complete Estate Planning. Build a comprehensive plan that includes guardianship, asset distribution, and contingency strategies to ensure your family’s future is secure.

• 💰 Wealth Transfer & Tax Strategies. Do you know that the biggest tax you’ll ever pay is when you pass? Without a plan, the government could become your biggest beneficiary. Most people don’t realize that a lifetime of hard work, your home, your investments, your savings can be significantly reduced by taxes after death. Without a plan, your estate could face one of the highest tax bills it will ever see. That’s why we help you build a smart, tax-efficient wealth transfer strategy that protects what you’ve worked so hard to build.

  That’s why we help you build a smart, strategic plan to transfer your wealth efficiently and protect what you’ve built.

• 🕊️ Funeral Concierge Services. In the moments after loss, your loved ones shouldn’t have to make dozens of stressful decisions. They should be allowed to grieve, reflect, and begin to heal. That’s why we offer Funeral Concierge Services—a compassionate, professional way to ensure your final wishes are honored and your family is supported.

📩 Want to learn more or get started?

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