Preparing Your Will: Step-by-Step: Difference between revisions
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→Step 5. Register your will
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{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[Stephen Hsia|Stephen Hsia]]|date= January 2019}}{{ | {{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[Stephen Hsia|Stephen Hsia]]|date= January 2019}}{{Preparing Your Will TOC}} | ||
== Step 1. Choose your executor == | == Step 1. Choose your executor == | ||
Your will names a person, the executor, to carry out your instructions in the will. | Your will names a person, the executor, to carry out your instructions in the will. | ||
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== Step 2. Write the will == | == Step 2. Write the will == | ||
[[File:Preparing_Your_Will_-_Image_2.jpg|thumb|275px|right| link=| <span style="font-size:50%;">Image via www.flickr.com</span>]] | |||
'''With good do-it-yourself materials, you can write a simple will'''. The will can take care of basic concerns, such as leaving a home, investments, and personal items to loved ones. The Where To Get Help section below lists a number of do-it-yourself resources. | '''With good do-it-yourself materials, you can write a simple will'''. The will can take care of basic concerns, such as leaving a home, investments, and personal items to loved ones. The Where To Get Help section below lists a number of do-it-yourself resources. | ||
'''Having your will prepared by an experienced estates lawyer or notary public is the safest way to avoid mistakes'''. Knowing your will is properly drafted can give you peace of mind. You can be confident your affairs will be handled according to your wishes. | '''Having your will prepared by an experienced estates lawyer or notary public is the safest way to avoid mistakes'''. Knowing your will is properly drafted can give you peace of mind. You can be confident your affairs will be handled according to your wishes. | ||
Getting advice from a lawyer or notary is particularly important when there are features such as a blended family, a charitable gift, property outside of British Columbia, a family business, a desire to hold property in trust for someone, or a wish to leave certain people out of your will. | Getting advice from a lawyer or notary is particularly important when there are features such as a blended family, a charitable gift, property outside of British Columbia, a family business, a desire to hold property in trust for someone, or a wish to leave certain people out of your will. | ||
{{PLSTipsbox | {{PLSTipsbox | ||
| text = Getting professional help to prepare a basic will isn’t as expensive as some people think. Ask an estates lawyer or notary how much it will cost. You should be able to get some free quotes. Feel free to shop around. | | text = Getting professional help to prepare a basic will isn’t as expensive as some people think. Ask an estates lawyer or notary how much it will cost. You should be able to get some free quotes. Feel free to shop around. | ||
}} | }} | ||
== Step 3. Sign the will == | == Step 3. Sign the will == | ||
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The two witnesses must be age 19 or over. | The two witnesses must be age 19 or over. | ||
It’s good practice for the witnesses not to be people — or the spouses of people — who are executors or beneficiaries under the will. | It’s good practice for the witnesses not to be people — or the spouses of people — who are executors or beneficiaries under the will. | ||
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== Step 5. Register your will == | == Step 5. Register your will == | ||
You can choose to register your will with the provincial government’s | You can choose to register your will with the provincial government’s [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/wills-registry wills registry]. While the law doesn’t require this step, it’s a good idea. It lets others know where the original copy of your will is kept. | ||
To register your will, you need to file a '''wills notice''' with the wills registry. This is a form that says you’ve prepared a will and where it’s kept. You don’t provide a copy of the will to the wills registry, just the wills notice. | |||
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{{Creative Commons for PLS | {{Creative Commons for PLS | ||
|title = | |title = Preparing Your Will | ||
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__NOGLOSSARY__ | __NOGLOSSARY__ |