5 Reasons You Need a Professionally Prepared Will

Here are five reasons why you should avoid cookie-cutter wills from online will providers.

If you or your family have these special circumstances or needs, I recommend that you speak with a professional in your jurisdiction to prepare your will. Do not try to do estate planning without professional help.

Here are a few good reasons to use a lawyer to make your will.

1. Matrimonial issues – Are you getting married, separating, divorcing, expecting a child, are newly married or have a common law spouse? You need professional advice to prepare your new estate plan and will, especially if you have minor children or need a parenting plan that requires designating decision makers for minors. If you are single with no dependants, read on.
2. Cognitive Issues – If you been recently hospitalized or a doctor told you that you may have memory issues, speak to a professional about how to prepare estate planning documents. Dementia is not a reason by itself to prevent you from making a plan. Have a professional guide you. They must keep notes and can give evidence, if required, to defend your plans or wills.
3. Special Items – If you own property, additional homes or rental properties, a business or a corporation, you need planning to reduce taxes. If you have foreign assets, you may require foreign estate planning documents. Have you stored your genetic material? Do you have a plan for your collections? Special items require special care.
4. Special Needs – Do you need a trust for special needs beneficiaries, minor children, dependants or pets? See a professional for an estate plan and will with trusts. With blended families, cookie-cutter wills that may suit everyone else cannot satisfy your needs.
5. Need Help – Need help choosing the right executor or attorney? You require specific, confidential advice to reduce provincial probate tax and income taxes. You may need to implement these strategies while you are still alive. Plan now to reduce expenses, donate to charities and to protect your loved ones with wills as part of your estate plan.

Please invest in a professionally prepared will to protect those you leave behind.

Want a meeting to discuss your estate plan and will? Contact me today. Want to start but are confused about what’s involved? I can help you. Contact me for a meeting.

I am a Certified Specialist in Estates and Trusts Law.