Quebec is the only province in Canada governed by a civil code rather than English common law, and nowhere does that show up more directly for an individual than in succession - the Quebec term for what the rest of the country calls wills and estates. The mechanics, the terminology, and even who's involved in drafting a will differ from what a common-law estate planning guide will tell you.
The notarial will
Quebec recognizes a notarial will, drafted and executed before a notary, which is the most common form used in the province and carries a significant practical advantage: it doesn't need to go through the probate-style verification process that a holograph or witnessed will requires after death, because the notary's involvement at drafting already establishes its authenticity. That single difference changes how an estate settles and how quickly heirs can access assets.
Family patrimony and matrimonial regimes
Quebec's family patrimony rules and its default matrimonial regime (partnership of acquests, unless a marriage contract specifies otherwise) interact with succession in ways that don't have a direct equivalent in common-law provinces. A surviving spouse's entitlement isn't determined purely by what the will says - the patrimony rules apply first, which is a step that estate planning advice written for Ontario or BC simply doesn't account for.
Where disputes tend to arise
Contested succession matters in Quebec often intersect with family law questions rather than being purely a matter of estates law, given how tightly the two are linked under the civil code - which is why a firm with family law grounding in the region can be as relevant to a contested estate as one that specializes narrowly in wills.
Estate and family law in Quebec City
Agir Legal Inc. is tagged for family law in Quebec City on LawDB - relevant where a succession matter becomes contested. Browse the full list of estate lawyers serving Quebec City.