While it can be an uncomfortable conversation to have, many Canadians say estate planning is important, yet nearly half report having never discussed the topic with their financial advisor, according to a new survey.
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Estate Planning Survey Reveals Canadians Are Not Prepared

CTV News
By Joshua Santos
September 15th, 2025

‘Don’t wait until you need it’: Canadians not prepared for estate planning

Many Canadians say estate planning is important, yet nearly half report having never discussed the topic with their financial advisor, according to a new survey.

Willful, an online estate planning platform, released the results of a survey revealing Canadians are unprepared for inheritances as more than $1 trillion is expected to transfer between generations in Canada over the next decade.

Over half of all respondents said they have a will, however, the survey found younger cohorts are often left out of the conversation. While 83 per cent of baby-boomers have end-of-life plans in place, just 29 per cent of millennials and 10 per cent of Gen Z do, leaving young generations more exposed as they juggle mortgages, children and debt without safeguards in place.

The survey found many families are unprepared, as 41 per cent report never having a detailed conversation about end-of-life wishes and 62 per cent of Gen Z said they have no planning documents in place.