A will is simply a written plan for what happens to your belongings after you pass away. It lets you decide who receives your money, property, and personal items, and who will be responsible for carrying out those wishes.
If you don’t have a will in British Columbia, the government steps in and decides how your estate is divided under a law called the Wills, Estates and Succession Act. This may not match what you would have wanted. For example, certain family members could receive more—or less—than you intended, and some people could be left out entirely.
A will also makes things much easier for your loved ones. It clearly names someone (called an executor) to handle your affairs, which helps avoid confusion, delays, and potential disagreements during an already emotional time.
If you have children under 19, a will is especially important because it allows you to choose who will care for them. Without one, the court will decide.
In short, having a will gives you control and helps protect the people you care about. Without it, important decisions are left up to the law instead of you.