Will and Estate: Getting Your Affairs in Order Before Moving Into a Residence in Montréal

Last updated: June 16, 2026

Preparing for a move into a senior residence means going through a lifetime: sorting furniture, papers and keepsakes. It is also, quite naturally, the moment to ask whether your wishes are properly recorded and up to date. A change of home is one of those milestones that warrants rereading your will and key documents calmly, before things get hectic.

This page explains why moving to a residence is a fine opportunity to review everything, sets out the three forms of will recognized in Québec, and covers naming a liquidator, keeping documents accessible, and coordinating with the protection mandate. None of this is so urgent that it should cause worry: it can be done serenely, and ideally with a professional.

Why a move is the right time to review your wishes

People rarely write a will, and sometimes never return to it. Yet life changes: a spouse passes away, grandchildren are born, a property is sold. Moving into a residence often touches several of these at once, since the family home is frequently sold and finances reorganized. It is therefore a logical moment to confirm that your documents still reflect your wishes.

Using this transition to take stock spares your loved ones future worries. While you are gathering papers for your residence admission file, you may as well bring your estate documents together too. And if you are still deciding on the right setting, our guide to choosing a residence based on autonomy and budget will help you see clearly before tackling the paperwork.

The three forms of will recognized in Québec

Québec law recognizes three forms of will, each valid in its own way:

• The notarial will: drawn up by a notary before a witness, kept by the notary and registered in the Register of Testamentary Dispositions and Mandates of the Chambre des notaires du Québec. It is the most secure form.
• The holograph will: written entirely and signed by the testator's own hand, with no witnesses. Simple to make, but it must be probated by a court or a notary after death.
• The will made before witnesses: signed by the testator in front of two adult witnesses, often with a lawyer's help. It too must be probated after death.

Each form has its advantages depending on your situation. For advice suited to your case, consult a notary or a lawyer: only they can guide you on the form that is right for you.

The value of a notarial will and naming a liquidator

The notarial will offers a practical advantage that is especially welcome at moving time: it does not have to be located or probated after death, since it is kept by the notary and recorded in the register maintained by the Chambre des notaires du Québec. Your loved ones will not have to fear that a document lost among the moving boxes can never be found.

Your will is also where you name your liquidator (formerly called the executor), the person responsible for settling your estate: inventorying assets, paying debts, filing tax returns and distributing bequests. Choose someone you trust, talk to them about the role in advance, and make sure they will know where to find your documents. A notary or a lawyer can explain the liquidator's responsibilities before you make your choice.

Coordinating the will, protection mandate and powers of attorney

A will takes effect only on death. During your lifetime, other documents protect your wishes if you were to become incapacitated or wished to entrust the management of certain affairs. It is wise to review them together, as they complement one another:

• The protection mandate: it designates the person who will look after you and your property should you become incapacitated. It takes effect after a homologation procedure. See the difference between a power of attorney and a protection mandate.
• The power of attorney: it lets someone act on your behalf while you are still capable, for example for banking transactions.
• Advance medical directives: they record your wishes for end-of-life care. See our overview of advance medical directives.

Updating these documents at the same time as the will, with a notary or a lawyer, ensures they all say the same thing and that none contradicts another.

Keeping your documents accessible and talking with family

An excellent will is useless if it cannot be found. As you pare down your belongings for the residence, take the time to gather your essential documents in one clearly identified place: a copy of the will (or your notary's contact details), the protection mandate, insurance policies, property titles, banking information and important numbers. Tell your liquidator or a trusted relative where this file is kept.

Finally, talk about it. A calm conversation with your loved ones about your wishes, your liquidator and your care preferences prevents many misunderstandings and reassures everyone. This openness is part of the same long-term thinking as choosing your future home with care. Note too that a more technical matter, the residence lease after the death of the resident, is worth understanding in advance to spare your family any surprises.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a notarial will before moving into a residence?

It is not mandatory, but the notarial will offers a practical advantage: it is kept by the notary and recorded in the register of the Chambre des notaires du Québec, so it cannot be lost during a move. All three forms (notarial, holograph, before witnesses) are valid. Consult a notary or a lawyer to choose the one that suits your situation.

What is a liquidator and whom should I name?

The liquidator is the person who settles your estate after death: inventorying assets, paying debts, filing tax returns and distributing bequests. You name them in your will. Choose someone trustworthy, capable and well organized, and discuss the role with them in advance. A notary or a lawyer can explain the responsibilities before you decide.

Should the will be reviewed every time someone moves?

Not automatically, but a move into a residence often coincides with other major changes, such as selling the home or reorganizing finances. It is therefore a good opportunity to confirm that your will and other documents still reflect your wishes. If in doubt, a legal professional can review everything with you.

Where should I keep my important documents once in a residence?

Gather your essential documents in one clearly identified place and tell your liquidator or a trusted relative where it is. For a notarial will, you only need to keep your notary's contact details, since the original stays with them. The key is that no one has to go searching when the time comes.