New Brunswick’s Wills Act is getting a modern update.
Effective December 1, 2026, New Brunswick’s amendments to its Wills Act go into effect. These are designed to better reflect today’s families and relationships.
Some of the key changes include:
- Recognizing common-law partners in the same way as married spouses
- Lowering the minimum age to make a will from 19 to 16
- Removing marriage as an automatic potential trigger for revoking an existing will
- Giving judges greater flexibility to interpret a person’s intentions when a will is unclear
- Allowing certain gifts to witnesses where the deceased’s intentions are clear and where there was no undue influence
What does this mean for you? These changes reflect the reality of modern family relationships and reinforce the importance of having an up-to-date will that accurately reflects your wishes.
Life circumstances change. Marriage, separation, new relationships and changes in family structure are all good reasons to review your estate plan.
A properly prepared will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your wishes and provide clarity for your loved ones.
Correia & Collins can help you with a wills and estates questions. Contact us by phone at 506-648-1700 or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Human rights and helping others has always been a passion of mine. In high school, I took human rights courses. At St. Thomas University, it was one of my undergraduate majors. Eventually, I channelled my passion into a career in law. Today, I value the significance my services have in making my clients’ lives easier. Helping them navigate the insurance and legal systems and guiding them during a challenging time is a priority and a privilege for me.