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Does a Letter Explaining Disinheritance Matter in BC?

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Estates & trusts

Does a Letter Explaining Disinheritance Matter in BC?

Onyx Law Group · Vancouver, British Columbia

Yes. A letter or memo explaining why someone was left out is evidence the court will consider. It lets the will-maker speak after death, and in a wills variation claim the court respects their intentions as far as it can while still making adequate provision.

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Full transcript

So, how much weight does a letter or memo explaining the disinheritance carry? It does carry some weight. It’s evidence that the court will look at because it’s a way for the will-maker to speak beyond death, so to speak, to understand their intention. And the court will always, in a wills variation claim, take into consideration what the testator’s intentions were and will only disturb them as much as necessary to provide an adequate and fair inheritance for the claimant.

General information, not legal advice.

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Onyx Law Group represents clients in family law throughout British Columbia, estate and trust litigation, estate planning and probate matters. Consult with our 17 BC lawyers · 190 combined years at the bar (2026)Candace Cho, KCCalled 2009 · 17 yrsJudith A. JanzenCalled 2000 · 26 yrsSandy Minh AbleyCalled 2005 · 21 yrsVeronica ManskiCalled 2015 · 11 yrsSusan KimCalled 2000 · 26 yrsRupinder ShokerCalled 2011 · 15 yrsJackson ToddCalled 2014 · 12 yrsValerie LeBlancCalled 2011 · 15 yrsKatya RichardsonCalled 2018 · 8 yrsRasjovan DaleCalled 2018 · 8 yrsMason HellerCalled 2019 · 7 yrsKevin CampbellCalled 2019 · 7 yrsShivleen SidhuCalled 2019 · 7 yrsTJ GarchaCalled 2022 · 4 yrsJesse PatraoCalled 2023 · 3 yrsLouisa LedesmaCalled 2024 · 2 yrsJulia PinnockCalled 2025 · 1 yrSee our full team at
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