Work through the deceased's lawyer, their banks, the home, and any will registry — then document every step for the affidavit of diligent search.
The Canadian position
Burnaby estates are administered through the Supreme Court of British Columbia under British Columbia law. There is no municipal registry.
The provincial law society may hold records for a firm that has wound up, which is a common dead end otherwise.
The Islamic position
Locating the will is what makes the wasiyyah effective. Where none is found, the estate is divided by provincial statute instead.
The obligation runs both ways: the testator keeps it findable, the executor genuinely looks.
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
- Contact every lawyer the deceased used.
- Check safety deposit boxes at all their banks.
- Search the home and digital storage.
- Search will registries.
- Write down every step with dates.
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
- Wills, Estates and Succession Act, SBC 2009, c 13 — BC Laws
- Locating wills and documents — Law Society of Ontario
- Wills Registry — Province of British Columbia
- Search the registers of wills and mandates — Chambre des notaires du Québec
- Contested probate applications ontario estate trustee — Treadstone Law
- Appeal probate decision ontario — Treadstone Law
- Paying for funeral before probate ontario — Treadstone Law
- Probate ontario explained — Treadstone Law
- Transferring a car after death ontario probate — Treadstone Law
- Assets excluded from probate ontario joint ownership beneficiary — Treadstone Law
- Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law