WHY DO I NEED A WILL IF I’M NOT RICH?
Half of Canadians don’t have a Will. Many people think that only the ultra-wealthy would need an official document to distribute their assets after death. However, there are several reasons to talk to a lawyer about making a Will, regardless of how much your estate is worth.
You’re In Charge
A Will gives you the flexibility to decide where your belongings go after your death. Without one, you will die intestate. This means your spouse and/or children will likely receive everything.
Even if this was the plan all along, you probably have a few things you want to go to someone else after you pass away. You might want your favourite guitar to go to your bandmates, or your shoe collection to be donated to the Salvation Army. Without a Will, your loved ones will be left to sort through all your things and piece together where you would have wanted them to go.
Children
One of the main benefits of making a Will is to cement who will care for your children after you pass away. Having a document that names the trusted friend or family member of your choosing will help you rest easy knowing your children will be taken care of no matter what.
Pets
Wills can have special provisions for pets. You can set out who you would like your pet to live with after you die and you can even name a substitute person if your first choice is unable to care for them. This will greatly minimize the chances your pet ends up in a shelter. In addition, if you wish to set aside some money to care for your pet, your lawyer can help you set up a pet trust for the person taking your furry friend after you pass away.
Funeral and Burial
A Will is one of the best places to express your funeral and burial wishes. This can be a huge help to your loved ones, who can spend time grieving rather than deciding what you would have wanted.
How Do I Make A Will?
It’s always best to get help from a lawyer you trust when drafting a document as important as a Will. You might need some complicated provisions that only someone with years of experience would know about.
Making a Will is an easy way to ensure those you care about are provided for and have all the tools they need to take care of things after you die.
Colleen Dowling
Colleen has joined Casey & Moss as our summer student and will be returning as our articling student in 2024. She is an incoming third-year law student at Queen’s University. Her interest in Estate Litigation began while working as a caseworker at the Queen’s Elder Law clinic where she drafted Wills and Powers of Attorney for seniors who would otherwise have difficulty affording legal counsel. She is greatly looking forward to returning to the firm to complete her articles.