OBA Underscores Importance of Properly Prepared Wills During Make A Will Month

Lawyers Delivering Free Information Sessions to Empower Ontarians to Protect What Matters

TORONTO, ON — This November, the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) is once again proud to lead our Make A Will Month awareness campaign, during which dozens of dedicated members – lawyers with deep and nuanced expertise in wills and estate-planning – will present free public information sessions in communities across Ontario.

“Every year Make A Will Month mobilizes OBA members province wide in a shared mission to help Ontarians understand how important having an up-to-date will, prepared with the personalized attention of a lawyer, is to preserving their wishes and preventing unnecessary complications,” says OBA President Katy Commisso. “These free sessions are about more than providing practical legal information — they’re about community engagement that empowers people to take steps that will truly protect their family, their legacy, and their peace of mind.”

Why a will matters

Recent research shows that fewer than half of Canadians currently have a valid will. According to a 2023 RBC Royal Trust/National Institute on Ageing report, only about 48 per cent of Canadians have a will, and just 34 per cent of people aged 35-54 do. Additionally, only about one-third of Canadians (35 per cent) have appointed a power of attorney. Not understanding the fundamentals or knowing where to start were cited as key barriers, but the result is that too many people are leaving how loved ones are cared for after death or incapacity largely to chance.

What you may not have considered

Modern life brings new complexities that make a properly drafted will and legal advice matter more than ever, including:

• Estranged or blended-family relationships – People assume everything will go to the spouse or children, but when there’s a common-law partner, step-children or open-ended family structures, the default rules may not reflect someone’s wishes.
• Digital-asset legacies – From eBay or cryptocurrency accounts to cloud-based photo storage, many Canadians have assets or data that could disappear if not properly linked in a will or estate plan.
• Cross-border and global holdings – With Canadians increasingly living abroad, owning property overseas or holding foreign investments, having a will (and legal advice) that addresses multiple jurisdictions can make a big difference.
• Dependency and capacity issues – If a person becomes incapacitated, or has dependants with a disability, the legal judgement, empathy and assessment that a lawyer brings become critical.
• Out-of-date documents – Life changes fast — marriage, divorce, children, digital asset growth, new business ventures — and outdated wills create risk.

“Making a will isn’t a one-time checkbox,” says Lisa Toner, Chair of the OBA’s Trusts and Estates Law Section Executive. “It’s about having relevant conversations, understanding your current reality, and getting the help that will translate those, often complex, circumstances and intentions into clear legal instructions. Lawyers can offer individuals the sense of calm and confidence that comes with knowing their affairs have been handled with the utmost knowledge and care."

To learn more about Make a Will Month and to find a free session near you, please visit the Make a Will Month website.

About the Ontario Bar Association

Established in 1907, the OBA is the largest voluntary legal association in Ontario representing over 17,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students. A leader in legal innovation, the OBA provides continuing professional development, and advocates for lawyers, protection of the rule of law and justice sector improvements.                                                                                          

For more information:   

Emily Sinkins, Director of Information Services and Executive Communications                                                    

esinkins@oba.org