Things you need to know before you write your will
What is a Will? A Will is a written document, in which… Learn More
Author(s):
 Bjorn Christianson, K.C.,   Lucy Kinnear
published 03/21/2018
What is a Will?
A Will is a written document, in which you can state your wishes with respect to your minor children, and your property, money and other assets, to be put into effect upon your death.
A Will can be simple or complicated, or something in between. However, even the most basic Will should contain:
How much does a Will cost?
Most lawyers have a “basic fee” for very simple Wills, but if your wishes are more complicated, the fee will be more than the basic fee.
We would be pleased to provide you with our fee quote for a basic Will over the phone.
Remember, the cost of preparing a Will is small compared to the cost of not having one.
What happens if you die without a Will?
When and how can I change my Will?
As long as you are mentally competent, you can revoke, change, or add to your Will. You should look at your Will every couple of years, to ensure it continues to reflect your wishes, even in changing circumstances.
Ask your lawyer about updating your Will if:
What should I think about before meeting with my lawyer?
Be prepared to discuss your:
Consider who you would like to appoint as your Executors. These are the people who will, upon your death, be responsible for:
Ideally, the people you choose as your Executors should be:
You can name more than one Executor to act, either jointly (together) or consecutively (one at a time).
Also consider naming Alternate Executors in case your first named Executors die before you or cannot act.
Your Executors can also be Beneficiaries under your Will if you wish.
Talk to your Executors before naming them, to confirm they are willing to act. Consider who you would like to name as the Beneficiaries of your Estate. These are the people who will receive some or all of your Estate, once all your bills are paid.
If you wish, you can name Beneficiaries of specific assets (e.g. “I leave my house to George”).
You should always name Residual Beneficiaries to receive everything that is not specifically listed in your Will (eg. “I leave the remainder of my Estate to Sally”).
Also consider naming Alternate Beneficiaries, if any of the first named Beneficiaries die before you.
If you have any minor children or other dependents, you should consider setting up a trust for them in your Will, which allows you to:
Consider naming Guardians to look after your children, if you die while any of your children is under the age of 18.
Also consider naming Alternate Guardians, if any of the first named Guardians die before you.
Any Guardian you name will still need to obtain court approval to become the official Guardian, but the court will give serious consideration to the wishes contained in your Will.
Talk to your Guardians before naming them, to confirm they are willing to act.
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