Vancouver, B.C.
Making a Will in Vancouver, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Vancouver: B.C.'s two-witness rule, electronic wills, ~1.4% probate, common-law rights, and the wills-variation risk.
Updated 2026-06
Wills in British Columbia
The signing rules, probate cost, and intestacy traps that apply across British Columbia, plus city-by-city guides for the places people actually live.
British Columbia essentials
- Is a Handwritten Will Legal in British Columbia?
A handwritten will in B.C. is only valid if signed in front of two witnesses — B.C. doesn't accept unwitnessed holograph wills, though a court may rescue one.
- Do You Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in British Columbia?
No law in B.C. forces you to hire a lawyer to make a valid will. Here's when DIY or an online will works, when to pay for advice, and what WESA demands.
- What Makes a Will Legally Valid in British Columbia?
A valid B.C. will must be written, signed at the end, and witnessed by two adults who aren't beneficiaries. WESA checklist, the witness trap, and the age-16 rule.
- Are Online & Electronic Wills Legal in British Columbia?
Yes — B.C. is the first province to allow fully electronic wills (since Dec 1, 2021), with e-signatures and remote video witnessing. Here's how it works.
- What Happens If You Die Without a Will in British Columbia?
Die without a will in B.C. and WESA decides who inherits. A spouse gets household furnishings plus the first $300,000 ($150,000 in blended families), then a share.
- Does Your Spouse Inherit Everything in British Columbia?
Not always. In B.C. a spouse gets furnishings plus the first $300,000 ($150,000 with stepchildren), then shares the rest — and common-law partners do inherit.
- How Much Does Probate Cost in British Columbia?
B.C. probate fees are about 1.4% on estates over $50,000 — roughly $13,650 on a $1M estate. See the tiered math, worked examples, and ways to reduce it.
- What Assets Skip Your Will & Avoid Probate in British Columbia?
In B.C., named-beneficiary accounts and joint-tenancy property pass outside your will and skip the ~1.4% probate fee. Here's what bypasses probate — and the traps.
- Does a Will Cover Medical Decisions in British Columbia?
No — a will only works after death. In B.C. you need an Enduring Power of Attorney for finances and a Representation Agreement for health care. Here's the full set.
- How Often Should You Update Your Will in British Columbia?
B.C. wills don't expire, but they go stale. Review after marriage, separation, kids, or big assets — and note that under WESA marriage no longer revokes a will.
Cities in British Columbia
Victoria, B.C.
Making a Will in Victoria, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Victoria: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Surrey, B.C.
Making a Will in Surrey, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Surrey: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Burnaby, B.C.
Making a Will in Burnaby, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Burnaby: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Richmond, B.C.
Making a Will in Richmond, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Richmond: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Abbotsford, B.C.
Making a Will in Abbotsford, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Abbotsford: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Coquitlam, B.C.
Making a Will in Coquitlam, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Coquitlam: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Kelowna, B.C.
Making a Will in Kelowna, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Kelowna: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Saanich, B.C.
Making a Will in Saanich, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Saanich: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Langley, B.C.
Making a Will in Langley, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Langley: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Delta, B.C.
Making a Will in Delta, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Delta: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Kamloops, B.C.
Making a Will in Kamloops, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Kamloops: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Nanaimo, B.C.
Making a Will in Nanaimo, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Nanaimo: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Chilliwack, B.C.
Making a Will in Chilliwack, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Chilliwack: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Prince George, B.C.
Making a Will in Prince George, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Prince George: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Maple Ridge, B.C.
Making a Will in Maple Ridge, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Maple Ridge: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
New Westminster, B.C.
Making a Will in New Westminster, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in New Westminster: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Making a Will in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
How to make a valid will in Port Coquitlam: British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
North Vancouver (City), B.C.
Making a Will in North Vancouver (City), British Columbia
How to make a valid will in North Vancouver (City): British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06
North Vancouver (District), B.C.
Making a Will in North Vancouver (District), British Columbia
How to make a valid will in North Vancouver (District): British Columbia's witnessing rules, probate costs, intestacy, and how to start — updated for 2026.
Updated 2026-06