{"id":2455,"date":"2026-11-12T15:01:25","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T15:01:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/unpaid-family-farm-business-work-estate-bc\/"},"modified":"2026-11-12T15:01:25","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T15:01:25","slug":"unpaid-family-farm-business-work-estate-bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/unpaid-family-farm-business-work-estate-bc\/","title":{"rendered":"Worked unpaid in the family farm or business and left out of the will: your claims in BC"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 12, 2026<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2024, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated November 12, 2026: the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (ss. 60, 61) and the court decisions cited below checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Contributions count.<\/strong> A child who helped build the estate may have a legal claim, which ranks ahead of purely moral claims.<\/p>\n

Two routes:<\/strong> wills variation (spouse or child) and unjust enrichment (anyone).<\/p>\n

Family help isn’t always paid:<\/strong> courts ask whether you reasonably expected something in return.<\/p>\n

What courts have done<\/a> \u00b7 Book a consultation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The lawyers who handle these estate files<\/p>\n

\"SundeepSundeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PardeepPardeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nAbout our lawyers<\/summary>\n
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Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> founded Lawgical Law Corporation and practises probate, estate litigation and immigration. He has represented clients in the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia, from chambers applications to contested trials.<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> is a probate, estates and immigration lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

In many families, one child stays to work on the farm, in the store or in the family business, often for little or no pay, while the parents build up the assets. When the will then leaves the business or land to a sibling, or splits it equally, that child may have strong claims. In a wills variation claim, the Supreme Court of Canada has said a child’s contribution to the estate can create a legal obligation, through the principles of unjust enrichment, that ranks ahead of purely moral claims. Contributions to the estate’s growth or upkeep have led BC courts to give larger shares, including whole houses. Anyone, not just a child, can also bring an unjust enrichment claim for the value of unpaid work. Courts look closely at whether the work was given freely, as family help, or with a reasonable expectation of reward.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, a probate and estate litigation law firm with offices in Surrey<\/a>, Abbotsford<\/a> and Vancouver, BC, acts for family members who built up a farm or business without fair pay, and for estates answering those claims; this guide is by Pardeep S. Grewal.<\/p>\n

Two routes<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Claims for unpaid work in a family enterprise<\/caption>\n
Claim<\/th>\nWho<\/th>\nHow contributions count<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Wills variation (WESA s. 60)<\/td>\nSpouse or child<\/td>\nContribution to the estate creates a legal claim and strengthens the moral claim<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unjust enrichment<\/td>\nAnyone<\/td>\nThe value of the work, or the share of the property’s value it created<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

What courts have done<\/h2>\n