How Often Should You Update Your Will in Quebec?

A Quebec will doesn't expire — it remains valid until you make a new one or revoke it. What ages badly is the fit between your will and your life. A review every three to five years, plus a check after any major change, keeps it current.

Life events that should trigger a review

• Marriage, civil union, or starting a de facto relationship.
• Divorce, dissolution of a civil union, or separation.
• A new child or grandchild.
• The death of a liquidator, tutor, or heir you named.
• A significant change in assets — a property, a business, an inheritance.
• Moving to or from Quebec, since its civil-law rules differ from every other province.

Two Quebec rules worth knowing

• Marriage does not revoke a will in Quebec. Since the 1994 Civil Code reform, marriage has no effect on an existing will. (This differs from the old common-law rule once used elsewhere.) So a will made before marriage stays in force — review it to be sure it still reflects your wishes.
• Divorce revokes gifts to a former spouse. On divorce or dissolution of a civil union, a legacy to the former spouse is generally lapsed (treated as revoked) unless the will clearly says otherwise, and their appointment as liquidator is affected. De facto separation has no automatic effect, so update your will when a common-law relationship ends.

Notarial, holograph, or witnessed — updating each

To change a notarial will, see a notary for a new notarial will or codicil. A holograph or witnessed will can be revoked and replaced following the same form rules. A later valid will generally revokes an earlier one; making a clean new will is usually better than patching an old one.

Storage and registers

If you use a notary, your will is registered automatically and can't be lost. For holograph and witnessed wills, store the signed original safely and tell your liquidator — and consider that these must be verified after death.

Frequently asked questions

Does a will expire in Quebec? No — it stays valid until revoked or replaced, but should be reviewed regularly. Does marriage cancel a will in Quebec? No — marriage has not revoked a will in Quebec since 1994. Does divorce affect my will in Quebec? Yes — divorce or civil-union dissolution generally revokes gifts to the former spouse. What is a codicil and do I need one in Quebec? A codicil amends a will; for notarial wills, changes are made through a notary.

Not legal advice. General information about Quebec law as of 2026. Confirm specifics with a Quebec notary or lawyer.