How to talk to your family about your Islamic Will and Legacy plan
This page is part of the Islamic Will Step-by-Step Guide. Click here to see the full guide.
Get the Islamic Will Discussion Guide
The Islamic Will Discussion Guide is part of the MuslimMoney Will Kit. You can get access to the will kit for free by entering your first name and email address:
Video
No Legal Document Can Replace Discussions
No legal document can replace a spiritually grounded conversation about your estate plan with your family.
Remember that, in simple terms, your Will serves two critical purposes:
- How: It outlines how both your body and your assets should be handled after your passing.
- Who: It designates who will ensure that your wishes are carried out - the executor - and, if applicable, who will care for your minor children.
The executor is entrusted with authority over your estate. Once the court grants them probate (formal authority), they are trusted to act according to your Will.
It’s important to note that in Canada, a court doesn’t supervise every decision the executor makes. It only intervenes if:
- Someone challenges the validity of the will.
- Someone challenges the executor’s actions.
And that's when things get messy—family fights and money is lost to legal fees.
In other words, your legal documents alone might not be sufficient to prevent disputes.
The most effective method to avoiding disputes among your family? Discussions about the estate plan (and the documents that accompany them).
A Unique Opportunity
The fact that you are going through the MuslimMoney Will Process shows your commitment to thoughtfully preparing for your estate plan.
This process is not only thorough but also unique, and it’s likely that many in your family may not be familiar with such an approach.
This is more than just a practical step. It’s a unique opportunity to bring your family together for an honest and spiritually meaningful conversation.
While you’ll be discussing your wishes for what happens after your passing, you’re also encouraging them to reflect on their own end-of-life planning and preparation.
How to Use the Guide
/w=3840,quality=90,fit=scale-down)
Use the material you gathered in Step 1 (Discover) to help you speak to specifics in your estate plan.
Related Articles
/w=1920,quality=90,fit=scale-down)
Written by Farooq Maseehuddin
Farooq Maseehuddin (MuslimMoney Guy) is a financial educator and writer. He holds both a Bachelor of Education (BEd.) and a Master of Education (MEd.) from the University of Alberta. He's been a high school teacher and Muslim community organizer for two decades.