TL;DR
You don’t have to be older, wealthy, or have a complicated estate to benefit from having a Will. In fact, getting your affairs in order early can be one of the most responsible steps a young adult can take. Once they reach the age of majority, 18 in most provinces and 19 in some, young adults may already have savings, student debt, digital assets, a first home, or new relationships and responsibilities that make estate planning important. Starting early is about more than preparing for the unexpected. It helps establish responsible planning as a normal part of life. As circumstances change, through marriage, children, home ownership, career changes, or other major milestones, a Will should be reviewed and updated to reflect those changes. Accessible and affordable online estate planning services can make it easier for young adults to take that first step and develop healthy planning habits early. Starting now makes it more likely that estate planning will become a regular part of managing life’s changes, with professional legal advice available when more complex circumstances require it.
Originally published: September 23, 2022 | Last updated: February 18, 2026
Will Planning Isn’t Just for Older Adults – It’s a Lifelong Habit
Many young adults assume that Wills are something to think about later in life, but that’s one of the most common misconceptions about estate planning.
Once you reach the age of majority, you may already have assets and responsibilities worth planning for, including bank accounts, vehicles, digital assets, personal belongings, or even a home. A Will allows you to document your wishes and make important decisions about what happens to your estate.
Starting early also helps make estate planning a normal part of managing your life. As your finances, relationships, and responsibilities evolve, your Will should evolve with you.
Why Having a Will Matters
- Choose who inherits from you. Without a Will, your estate is distributed according to provincial rules. Your common-law partner, friends, or a favourite charity may not receive anything unless the law provides for them or you make your wishes clear through appropriate planning.
- Choose who will manage your estate. A Will allows you to name the person you would like to act as your executor, rather than leaving the appointment to the applicable legal process if you die without a Will.
- Protect the people who matter to you. Marriage and common-law relationships can have very different legal implications depending on the province. A Will can help ensure your partner and other loved ones are considered according to your wishes.
- Plan for your digital life. Young adults may have significant digital assets, from cryptocurrency and online businesses to social media accounts, digital photographs, and other online property. Your Will can provide instructions for how these assets should be handled.
At What Age Can You Write a Will in Canada?
All persons must be sound of mind and understand the impact of their choices, but the minimum age to write a legally valid Will varies by province:
| Province/Territory | Minimum Age | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Yukon | 19 | Members of the Canadian Forces, married minors |
| Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, PEI, Saskatchewan | 18 | Members of the Canadian Forces, married minors |
| Québec | 18 | Minors who are fully emancipated can make a Will. Minors can make a Will for property of moderate value |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 17 | Members of the Canadian Forces, married minors, minors who are fully emancipated |
| British Columbia | 16 | Members of the Canadian Forces, |
The Right Time to Start May Be Earlier Than You Think
The idea that Will planning should begin at 18 or 19 is increasingly outdated. The appropriate time to make a Will depends less on a person’s age and more on their circumstances and legal eligibility.
Canadian law already recognizes that younger people can have significant responsibilities. For example, British Columbia permits individuals as young as 16 to make a Will. This reflects the reality that a young person may have children, significant assets, financial interests, or other responsibilities that make it important to have their wishes documented.
For parents and families, this is an important shift in perspective: Will planning should not be viewed as something that begins when someone becomes established in adulthood. Where the law permits it, younger people with meaningful responsibilities should have the opportunity to make their wishes known and put an appropriate plan in place.
What Should a Young Person Include in Their Will?
A Will doesn’t need to be complicated if the situation is simple, but a young person’s Will should contain these essential elements at minimum:
1. Executor Appointment
You should select someone from your personal circle who will carry out your final arrangements. Young adults tend to choose their parents or siblings or close friends as their representatives. The person should be of sound mind, over the age of majority, and must agree to perform this duty.
2. Asset Distribution
List who should receive your assets. Think about:
- Bank accounts and savings
- Vehicles
- Personal belongings which hold both sentimental worth and financial value
- Investments, RRSPs, TFSAs (though these may have named beneficiaries)
- Real estate (if you own property)
- Digital Assets
3. Digital Assets
You should create instructions which show how to handle your online accounts and social media profiles and cloud storage and digital subscriptions.
4. Charitable Gifts
You can add charitable bequests to your Will which support the causes you care about no matter how big your estate becomes.
5. Guardian for Dependents
You need to establish guardianship for your children through your Will when you become a young parent.
Do Young People Also Need a Power of Attorney?
A Will takes effect after you die. A Power of Attorney serves a different purpose: it can help ensure that someone you trust can make decisions or manage certain aspects of your affairs if you are unable to do so while you are alive.
For young adults, this can be particularly important because serious accidents, unexpected illnesses, or other circumstances can happen at any age. Having the right documents in place means that your wishes can be considered and someone you trust may be able to step in when you cannot act for yourself.
Depending on the province, there are generally two key areas to consider:
- Property and finances: A Power of Attorney for Property or Finances can authorize someone to manage financial matters on your behalf, such as paying bills, dealing with accounts, or managing property, subject to the terms and limitations of the document and applicable provincial law.
- Personal care and healthcare: A Power of Attorney for Personal Care can allow someone to make certain personal-care or healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapable of making them yourself. The terminology and legal framework vary across Canada, and healthcare wishes may also be documented separately.
Without appropriate planning, family members may need to rely on provincial legal processes to obtain authority to manage certain aspects of an incapable person’s affairs. That process can be time-consuming and may not result in the person you would have chosen being appointed.
Planning for incapacity is not just something to consider later in life. For young adults, it is another way of making sure the people they trust can help when they need it most.
What About Student Loans and Debt?
Debt is an important part of estate planning for young adults. Student loans, credit cards, car financing, lines of credit, and other financial obligations do not necessarily disappear when someone dies. What happens depends on the type of debt, the terms of the agreement, and the applicable provincial and federal rules.
In general:
- Government student loans: Canada Student Loans are generally eligible for cancellation when the borrower dies. Provincial student loan programs have their own rules and should be checked separately.
- Private student loans and lines of credit: These may be treated differently depending on the lender and the terms of the agreement. Some may have insurance or provisions that address death, while others may become claims against the estate.
- Credit cards and other individual debts: Outstanding debts are generally dealt with through the deceased person’s estate. They are not automatically transferred to family members simply because they were related to the deceased.
- Joint debts: When two people are jointly responsible for a debt, the surviving borrower may remain responsible for the outstanding balance, depending on the agreement and applicable law.
- Co-signed or guaranteed loans: A co-signer or guarantor may have continuing obligations if the borrower dies, depending on the terms of the loan.
Understanding how debt fits into an estate is another reason young adults should not assume that planning is something they can put off until later. A Will can address how an estate is administered, while the underlying debt agreements and applicable laws determine how particular obligations are handled.
How Can a Young Person Create a Will Affordably?
For many Canadians, online Will services offer an accessible and affordable way to begin the planning process. Digital platforms can simplify the experience by guiding users through the information they need to consider and helping them create a Will from home.
Depending on the service and the province, the process can often be completed relatively quickly. However, creating the document is only one part of making a valid Will. Signing, witnessing, and other execution requirements vary by jurisdiction, so it is important to follow the applicable requirements carefully.
Online Will services can be a practical option for straightforward planning, while more complex family, financial, or legal circumstances may warrant advice from a qualified legal professional.
LegalWills is Canada's leading online Will writing service. Since 2001 we have helped Canadians prepare their Will and other estate planning documents. Providing help along the way.
