“How do I approach the process of drafting a will? Do I need legal assistance and a lawyer to create my will? If I create a will on my own, can I be sure it will be legally valid?”
Questions like these are a commonality among many Canadians’ looking to draft a will. This post takes you through the factors you must consider that will better guide you in your decision to create a will.
A will is a legal document determining how your assets and estates will be distributed after your death. The following are two essential criteria that must be met by your will:
- The will complies with your provincial laws
- The will is written and signed by you, when you were of sound mind, along with two witnesses who are not beneficiaries under the said will.
A common question you might have is whether you require the help of a lawyer to create your will. Many individuals cite different reasons to stray away from getting professional legal help, such as the high costs of hiring professional help and the long-winded process of creating a will. A recent survey by Lawyer’s Professional Indemnity Co. found that 56% of Canadian adults do not have a signed will. While there are certain restrictions and prohibitions to creating a will, there are many solutions available that solve your problems.
You do not need a lawyer to make a legally valid will. Especially if it is a simple will, self-help kits or online will services are a viable option. With such DIY solutions, however, you open yourself up to a 50-50 chance of success or failure. In case there is a problem, it might be too late to deal with it. Your assets might then be distributed in a manner against your wishes.
Due to the technicalities involved in the drafting process, having professional help from a lawyer can prove beneficial for you. A lawyer’s professional expertise will come to great use as you try to navigate the possibly unforeseen arena of wills, and a lawyer can also help you gather and organize your thoughts clearly while helping you identify any critical issues. Especially if you find yourself in a complicated personal situation, such as having a child who requires special needs support or having troubling spousal relations, seeking legal advice on such vital matters will serve you well in the long run. Moreover, hiring professional help might not be as expensive as you think. The best option is to meet with a lawyer to know the particulars of your situation and the related costs and fees involved.
A will is more than a piece of paper that decides who gets what part of your estate. It is a clearly planned, legal projection of your goals and objectives, and the process of creating a will must be taken seriously. Juzkiw Law offers a free consultation to help guide you better. We deal with every issue on a case-by-case basis and make sure that you get the personalized help and attention you deserve. For more details and guidance, please contact us at (416-221-2221) or visit our office for a quick and free consultation. The details for the same can be found on our website www.keylawyer.com.
