Bill 28: Consolidation and Modernization

The Wills, Estates and Succession Act (Bill 28), will consolidate much of British Columbia’s legislation into one Act. If this legislation passes and is brought into effect, it will repeal and replace the Estate Administration Act, the Probate Recognition Act, the Wills Act, and the Wills Variation Act. I welcome this one-stop-shopping approach.

One of the purposes of the new legislation is to modernize British Columbia’s succession laws, in style as well as in substance. The legislation is drafted in plainer language than much of British Columbia’s current legislation. Although I favour plainer language, it may take me some time to get use to the words “will-maker,” in stead of “testator.”

In future posts, I will be examining many of the substantive changes proposed in Bill 28.