From Tractor Fender to Legal Legend

If you think your week has been dramatic, let me introduce you to Cecil George Harris, a Saskatchewan farmer who, in 1948, found himself trapped under a tractor in what qualifies as both a legal emergency and a very bad day on the farm.

With no pen, no paper, and very little time, he did what any practical prairie soul might do: he pulled out a knife and scraped his final wishes into the metal tractor fender beneath him.

And here’s the part that makes every law student sit up a little straighter: the court accepted it! That tractor fender became a valid Saskatchewan will. Today, it’s on display at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law Library, a shining (and slightly scratched) testament to human ingenuity and the flexibility of our wills legislation.

As a family law lawyer, I spend a lot of time helping people manage life’s transitions, separations, new partnerships, blended families, and co-parenting dynamics. And here’s the truth: your will is part of that story.

It’s not just an estate document; it’s a family document.

A well-prepared will can prevent conflict, reduce stress, and create clarity for the people you care about. It protects children, supports spouses, defines wishes, and keeps families from needing a judge to interpret their relationships.

And the best part? You don’t need a tractor nearby to make one.

If you don’t have a will yet or if yours is older than your youngest child, newest relationship, or latest major life change, now is a great time to revisit it.

Your family deserves clarity, care, and instructions that aren’t carved into heavy machinery.

If you'd like help getting started, I’m here when you’re ready.