Yes, at any time while you have capacity — either by a codicil or, more commonly now, by making a fresh will that revokes the old one.
The Canadian position
A codicil must be signed and witnessed with the same formality as a will. Because a codicil separated from its parent document causes problems, most lawyers now simply redraft.
Marriage or divorce can revoke a will or gifts within it, depending on the province and the date.
The Islamic position
A wasiyyah is revocable during life. There is no religious obstacle to changing it as circumstances change.
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.
What to do about it
- Review the will after any marriage, divorce, birth or death in the family.
- Review it after buying property or starting a business.
- Destroy old originals once a new will is signed.
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
- Succession Law Reform Act, RSO 1990, c S.26 — Government of Ontario
- Administering estates — Government of Ontario
- What to do if you were left out of a will ontario — Treadstone Law
- Is a will public record in ontario — Treadstone Law
- What happens if you lose a will challenge ontario — Treadstone Law
- Risks diy online will kit ontario — Treadstone Law
- Domestic contract vs will conflict ontario — Treadstone Law
- Adding new child to will ontario — Treadstone Law
- Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law