Generally yes, unless the designation is irrevocable, in which case the named beneficiary must consent.
The Canadian position
Generally yes, unless the designation is irrevocable, in which case the named beneficiary must consent.
Provincial law governs the detail, so confirm the position where the estate will be administered.
The Islamic position
The fixed shares apply to the net estate after funeral expenses, debts and any bequest capped at one third.
Where a Canadian instrument has no classical counterpart, treat it as a contemporary question for a qualified scholar.
The four Sunni schools are not recorded as differing materially on this point in the sources reviewed. Where your own case turns on it, put it to a scholar of your school.
General information, not legal or religious advice. Inheritance depends entirely on the exact family circumstances. Confirm the Canadian position with a lawyer in your province and any religious ruling with a qualified scholar.
Citations & sources
Every factual claim on this page traces to one of the references below. Legislation and dollar thresholds change — verify against the primary source before relying on any figure.
- Research Papers — Cambridge Muslim College
- Research — Cambridge Muslim College
- Academics — Islamic law and theology curriculum — Zaytuna College
- Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill
- Death of an RRSP annuitant — Canada Revenue Agency
- Death of a TFSA holder — Canada Revenue Agency
- What to do when someone has died — Canada Revenue Agency
- Does intestacy affect rrsp or tfsa ontario — Treadstone Law
- Henson trust multiple disabled beneficiaries ontario — Treadstone Law
- Can i designate charity as beneficiary — Treadstone Law
- Segregated fund vs mutual fund death beneficiary ontario — Treadstone Law
- Beneficiary disputes executor compensation ontario — Treadstone Law
- Trust reporting rules disclose beneficiaries — Treadstone Law
- Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law