A New Year means a chance to set goals and intentions for the next 12 months. According to Willful’s The Great Delay report, one of the top goals for Canadians is to create or update their will in 2026. But a will is just one piece of a comprehensive estate plan, and there are many actions we can take in the next year to ensure we’re more prepared for the unexpected. This month-by-month checklist ensures you can set calendar reminders, schedule time to check these tasks off your list, and enter 2027 with more peace of mind.

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January

Start the year strong by checking off the basics: creating your will and power of attorney documents. These are the cornerstones of your plan. They give your family a clear blueprint of your wishes, and give your executor and guardians the legal authority to put your wishes into action. If you’ve already done this, kudos! You’re one step ahead.

February

The end of February is the deadline for 2025 RRSP contributions. It’s also a great time to review any beneficiaries you’ve named on registered accounts like RRSPs and TFSAs, and on any personal or workplace life insurance policies. It’s all too common to see these accounts and policies paid to unintended relatives due to outdated beneficiaries, and a quick phone call to the account or policy issuer can ensure these will go to the people you choose if anything happens.

March

It’s tax season, which means it’s the perfect time to review life changes over the past year, and how they might affect your tax return and your legacy. If you have an existing will, now is the time to review it to ensure it’s up to date. If you moved provinces, got married or divorced, had a child, or experienced other major life changes, you may need to update your will. If you’re a Willful customer, updates are free, so you can easily review your documents and make any necessary changes. If it’s still on your to-do list, sign up to get started.

April

It’s spring cleaning time, which means organizing your account information in one place. Willful has an asset and liability list that makes this easy, and ensures your executor and loved ones have an accurate inventory of your investments, accounts, and key contacts if anything happens.

May

Real estate season heats up in May, so it’s the perfect time to review how many properties you own are structured, so you can pass them on effectively and efficiently. For example, if you own a secondary property like a rental or cottage, it could incur major capital gains taxes owing at death, so you may want to consider joint ownership or a trust to reduce that tax burden.

June

In advance of the busy summer travel season, set aside an hour to centralize important documents and information in an easy-to-find place in your home. This includes wills, power of attorney documents, asset and liability lists, copies of life insurance policies, and key contacts like financial advisors and insurance brokers.

Halfway there! If you haven’t already, download the free 2026 estate planning checklist.

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July & August

Take a break! Relax and enjoy the sun with your family, knowing you’ve taken many important steps in the first half of the year to move your estate plan forward.

September

It’s back-to-school season, which means it’s the perfect time to revisit your choices about guardianship. If you have minor children, ensure you’ve appointed guardians for their care in case anything happens to you and the other parents. While not fun to think about, it’s an important decision that ensures the person or people you choose take on this important role. It’s also helpful to record key information about your kids, from pediatrician contacts and medications to any details about their care. This helps babysitters and family members and can be invaluable in an emergency.

October

Time to organize your digital world! A password manager like 1Password can be a great way for families to not only record and share passwords and key documents like life insurance policies, but also to record travel documents like passports. This is also a great time to add legacy contacts on any online platforms that offer this feature, which include Facebook, Apple, and Google.

November

It’s Make a Will Month and Financial Literacy Month, so it’s a great time to have discussions with family about their wishes. It’s as important for you to have a solid estate plan as it is for you to know the wishes of your spouse, parents, and loved ones in case you need to put those wishes into action. We recommend starting with the question “What do you want your legacy to be?” as a way to open up a meaningful conversation.

December

If you’ve attended a celebration of life, you know it often causes us to think about our own wishes. In December, take time to document or share your funeral and burial wishes. You can do this easily in your Willful will, or in a separate document, and you can even pre-plan with our partners at Arbor Memorial.

Picture this: it’s New Year’s Eve 2026, and you’ve completed the items on this checklist. You have a solid estate plan, you’re prepared for any emergencies, you’re more organized in your digital and physical life, and you have the peace of mind of knowing your family’s wishes. Future you will thank you for spending a bit of time each month moving this forward - as will your family.

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Download the free checklist and take one small step each month toward a more organized, confident future—for you and your family.