How Often Should You Update Your Will in Nova Scotia?

A Nova Scotia will stays valid until you replace or revoke it — there's no shelf life. The real risk is a will that no longer fits your life. Aim to review it every three to five years, and after any milestone.

Life events that should trigger a review

• Marriage or starting a common-law relationship.
• Separation or divorce.
• A new child or grandchild.
• The death of an executor, guardian, or beneficiary.
• A major change in assets — buying property, selling a business, an inheritance.
• Moving to or from Nova Scotia — provincial rules differ.

Marriage and divorce in Nova Scotia

Rules on whether marriage revokes an existing will and how divorce affects gifts to a former spouse vary across Canada and have changed in recent years. In general, divorce revokes gifts to and the appointment of a former spouse as if they had died first, but specifics differ. The safest practice: update your will whenever any major relationship begins or ends rather than rely on the statute.

Codicil or new will?

A codicil is a witnessed amendment for a small change — swapping an executor, adjusting a small bequest. For anything larger, a new will that revokes the old one is cleaner than stacking codicils. Both must meet the same signing and witnessing rules (or be a valid holograph).

Storage

Destroy superseded originals to avoid confusion, keep the current signed will where your executor can find it, and tell them where it is. Probate generally requires the original — a missing original creates expensive presumptions of revocation.

Frequently asked questions

Does a will expire in Nova Scotia? No — it stays valid until revoked or replaced, but review it regularly. Does marriage cancel a will in Nova Scotia? Rules vary and have evolved — confirm with a Nova Scotia lawyer rather than assume. Does divorce affect my will in Nova Scotia? Generally yes — gifts to and the appointment of a former spouse are typically revoked on divorce. What is a codicil? A witnessed amendment to your existing will; useful for small changes only.

Not legal advice. General information about Nova Scotia law as of 2026. Confirm specifics with a Nova Scotia estate lawyer.