Recorded on October 6, 2026
Length 60 minutes
Summary
Learn 10 common pitfalls when it comes to making — or not making — a will, and what you can do to avoid them. If you feel stuck because you know you need a will but don’t know what to do next, or you have one but you don’t know if it’s enough, this webinar will help equip you with the practical information you need to understand the law and feel confident about your next steps.
Highlights
In this webinar, you will learn:
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
The true cost of waiting for a “better time” to make your will and the benefits of making your will early. [4:05]
The limits of using an online will kit and benefits of consulting a notary public or lawyer. [9:00]
Why naming godparents alone is not enough to plan for your minor children in the event of your death, and additional steps to take. [14:30]
The real “cost” of probate, and why trying to avoid probate and probate fees — for example, by adding your children to the title of your home or setting up a trust — may not be cost effective. [17:00]
What to do if you get stuck making your will because you don’t know someone who would be a suitable executor. [21:30]
Why it’s important to plan for your own incapacity, even if you’re in great shape, and what is required beyond a simple will. [25:20]
The risk of assuming that your will would withstand a challenge and how to protect your wishes after you’re gone. [29:55]
Why it’s important to update your will to reflect your current life, and common reasons and points in time to update your will. [34:00]
Why it’s important to talk to loved ones about death and money before it’s too late, even when it feels awkward or difficult. [38:40]
Why a trustee must be named when leaving money to a minor child. [41:55]
Why you need to understand the legal effect of making a will in BC when you have assets and wills in other jurisdictions. [45:10]
Why it’s important to understand which assets pass outside of your will and how to plan for them. [46:25]
Live questions
The range of cost you can expect to pay for a simple will. [50:15]
Whether, for a trust, your estate would incur a yearly cost. [51:50]
Whether there are professionals or companies that can serve as executors and how they are paid. [52:50]
Whether all estates must go through probate. [54:20]
Whether, when you have a will prepared by a notary, there’s an annual fee to keep the will in the notary’s office under their care. [55:25]
Whether an executor can also be a beneficiary under a will. [56:35]
Featuring
Lilián Cazacu
Lilián is a notary public with Lilián Cazacu Notary Corporation, with offices in Langley and Aldergrove. He obtained a law degree and masters’ degree in Europe, where he also completed doctoral studies in public law and criminology. After moving to British Columbia, he worked as a paralegal while qualifying as a notary public. Lilián is passionate about promoting financial and legal literacy in his community, especially focusing on estate planning and incapacity planning.
Zachary Murphy-Rogers
Zachary Murphy-Rogers is a lawyer at Clark Wilson LLP in Vancouver. He maintains both a litigation practice and a solicitor’s practice, predominantly in the areas of wills, trusts & estates, family & surrogacy law, and elder law. Zachary recognizes that his clients want practical, cost-effective advice and solutions tailored to their unique needs, and he is committed to finding creative and appropriate solutions to resolve legal disputes.
Brandi Stocks
Brandi Stocks is a lawyer with the Public Guardian and Trustee in the Child and Youth Services Division.
Attendee feedback
“Excellent webinar with terrific moderator (kudos to Paula) and amazingly engaging and knowledgeable speakers. Well done, to the entire PLS team!“
“Was very informative, will help me plan how to move ahead with updating my will.“
“Engaging facilitator and three speakers. Very warm, respectful, informative, and useful! Packed a lot into a short time.“
“Your speakers provide succinct information in clearly understandable terms, well chosen.“
“Thank you! super informative and motivated me to get this in motion.“
“Thank you everyone, well planned and facilitated, excellent speakers.“
“Using plain language in explaining is a big help to understand the complexity of the law.“
“Your webinars are always very informative and helpful. Thank you.“
“This was an excellent Wills seminar. I've attended others and the "10 Pitfalls" method is very helpful. Thank you!”
“Thank you. This is very valuable information for everyone at any age.”
Additional resources
From People’s Law School:
Preparing your will, a step-by-step guide
Webinars on representation agreements and powers of attorney
Also: