Whether young, old, single, or married adult, it’s advantageous to prepare a will. Wills clarify your last wishes, so your loved ones are not left with the emotionally charged task of dividing property. If you die without a will in place, your assets will be left in the hands of provincial law, and the costs to administer your estate will increase dramatically. If dependents are still in your care, guardianship can come into question – an important detail when it comes to the life-guidance your dependents receive after you are gone. Also, charities, common-law partners and friends may not be recognized by the law, impacting your charitable goals and friends’ lives as well.
The process of writing down all the details for estate division takes the burden off loved ones, but also gives you peace of mind knowing your wishes will be taken care of the way you choose. Preparing a will and securing your wishes legally is the first step, and keeping a will up to date is the second. You may need to adjust your will if you recently got married, or are in a common-law marriage. The recent purchase or sale of a business, or new dependents (such as the birth of a grandchild) are all reasons to readjust your will. We invite you to contact us for more information on how we can help you write your first will and testament, or make adjustments to an existing one.
Stay tuned for more articles on wills and estates in the future.
common-law-marriage
Thank you for your interest in the Law Firm of Bell Jacoe & Company. Based in Summerland BC, we have served the South Okanagan since 1990. Our experienced lawyers provide help with real estate, wills, powers of attorney, injury, divorce, general litigation, commercial law, and more.