Moving to Alberta can change almost every part of your life. A new home. New bank accounts. A new job. New investments. Perhaps even a growing family, which presents wonderful new challenges.

But what about the will you made before you moved?

If you already have a will from another country (a foreign will), moving to Alberta does not necessarily mean that document suddenly becomes invalid. Alberta law contains provisions that can recognize wills made outside the province in some circumstances.

The better question may be:

Does your old will still make sense for the life you have today?

Reminder: This article does not constitute legal advice. If you have a complex situation with an existing will from another country, you may need to consult an Alberta wills and estates lawyer. There can be important tax implications for you to consider.

Your Life May Have Changed More Than Your Will

Think about what has happened in your life since your original will was written.

You may have Canadian bank accounts, investments, vehicles, insurance policies or other assets that did not exist when you prepared your original will. You might own a home or be interested in purchasing one.

Your family circumstances may have changed too.

Even the person you originally chose to handle your estate may now live thousands of kilometres away.

These changes do not automatically make an existing will invalid. They are good reasons to take it out, read it again and decide whether it still reflects your wishes.

The Government of Alberta recommends reviewing your will regularly and after major life events, including changes to your family and financial circumstances.

Where Does Your Executor Live?

Consider the person you named to handle your estate.

If you prepared your will before moving to Canada, that person may still live in your previous country.

That does not necessarily prevent them from serving. However, administering an Alberta estate from another country could create practical challenges.

An executor may need to identify and manage assets, deal with financial institutions, settle debts and taxes, and eventually distribute property to beneficiaries. The Canada Revenue Agency describes an executor's responsibilities as including asset management, debt repayment and estate distribution.

There can also be tax considerations.

The CRA considers where an estate's central management and control actually takes place when determining its residency. The CRA also makes it clear that the executor's own country of residence does not automatically determine the residency of the estate.

You can read the CRA's explanation of trust and estate residency here.

If your executor lives outside Canada, this is an issue worth reviewing rather than assuming your original choice is still the best one.

Do You Still Own Property Outside Alberta?

This is where things can become more complicated.

Imagine you now own a home in Edmonton but still own an apartment, land, investments or other significant property in your previous country.

Your estate may now involve the laws of more than one jurisdiction.

The Government of Alberta specifically recommends speaking with a lawyer if you own assets outside Alberta. A lawyer can help determine whether an International Will or another form of cross-border estate planning may be appropriate.

An Alberta will should not be treated as an automatic solution for property located in another country.

Should You Replace Your Foreign Will?

Not necessarily.

Creating a new will without understanding your existing one could create additional questions, particularly when you continue to own foreign property or already have estate-planning documents in another country.

Before making a change, ask yourself:

Where are my assets now? Are they mostly in Alberta, or do I still own significant property abroad?
Who is my executor? Do they still live in another country, and are they still the best person for the job?
Has my family changed? Have you married, separated, had children or experienced other major changes?
Does my old will still reflect my wishes? The document may have been written for a very different stage of your life.

For someone whose life and property are now primarily centred in Alberta, reviewing an old foreign will may lead to a relatively straightforward Alberta estate plan.

For someone who owns property in several countries, has multiple wills or faces other cross-border issues, professional legal advice may be the better next step.

The important first step isn't creating another will.

It's reviewing the one you already have.

Your old will may still be valid. But after building a new life in Alberta, it is worth asking whether it still describes and represents the life, property and people you want it to protect.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Wills involving multiple countries can raise complex legal and tax issues. Consider consulting a qualified lawyer for advice about your specific circumstances. For straightforward Alberta planning, WillGenie provides guided online forms for preparing a Last Will and Testament, Enduring Power of Attorney and Personal Directive.