Originally published: June 8, 2017 | Last updated: April 2, 2025
Yes. Every adult in Canada needs a Will, regardless of age. The majority of Canadian adults fail to create proper estate plans because they believe Wills serve only senior citizens and wealthy individuals. Young adults between 18 and 35 have the lowest rates of Will ownership, yet they face unique risks that make a Will particularly important.
Yes. Every adult in Canada needs a Will, regardless of age. The misconception that Wills are only for older or wealthy people is one of the main reasons over 65% of Canadian adults lack adequate estate planning. Young adults between 18 and 35 have the lowest rates of Will ownership, yet they face unique risks that make a Will particularly important.
Why Is There No “Perfect Time” to Write a Will?
Many young people plan to write a Will “when they get married,” “when they have kids,” or “when they buy a house.” The problem is that you need protection before these milestones, and life events often bring so much change that Will-writing gets pushed further down the list. Death does not wait for convenient timing. The barriers to writing a Will are psychological, not practical. The best time to write a Will is now, whatever your current life stage. You can always update it later.
Many young people plan to write a Will “when they get married,” “when they have kids,” or “when they buy a house.” The problem is that you need protection before these milestones, and life events often bring so much change that Will-writing gets pushed further down the list. Death occurs at any time without regard for when people want it to happen. People face emotional obstacles which prevent them from writing Wills although the process remains simple. The present moment stands as the best opportunity to create your Will regardless of your current position in life. You can always update it later.
Even without a house or large savings, young adults typically have more to protect than they realize:
- Common-law partners: In most provinces, common-law partners have no automatic inheritance rights. Without a Will, your partner may receive nothing from your estate.
- Digital assets: Cryptocurrency, online businesses, social media accounts, digital photos, and streaming libraries all have value. See our digital asset planning guide.
- Personal belongings: Sentimental items, musical instruments, art, collections, vehicles, should go to people you choose, not be divided by a government formula.
- Debts: Student loans, credit card debt, and car loans affect how your estate is administered. A Will names an executor to manage these efficiently.
- Employer benefits: Life insurance, pension death benefits, and group RRSP contributions may be payable to your estate.
- Children: If you have or plan to have children, a Will is essential for naming guardians.
What Do Young Adults Have to Protect?
Cost is often cited as a barrier, but it should not be. A lawyer charges $500 to $1,500+, which is understandably steep for a young adult. But LegalWills.ca offers a comprehensive, province-specific Will for $49.95; less than a night out. The document is legally identical in validity to a lawyer-drafted Will. You can update it anytime through your account as your life changes. For a comparison of all options, see our Will kit comparison and lawyer comparison guide.
Young adults need to defend their assets even though they lack home ownership and substantial financial reserves:
Stop waiting for the “right time.” Start with our step-by-step guide to writing your Will. In 20 minutes, you will have the most important document your family will ever need. For more reasons why, read our top ten reasons to prepare a Will and learn about why people avoid writing Wills.
Tim Hewson is one of the founders of LegalWills.ca.
He has over 20 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets including CTV, Global News, The Toronto Star, and other leading Canadian publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books.
Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.
