Will Preparation Checklist

There is no one size fits all answer to what your Will needs to cover, or how to distribute your assets. Only after speaking to you and learning your circumstances is it possible to cover all of the necessary questions. In short however you will need to think about the following points and decide on answers before your Will can be drafted and executed:

1. Who do you trust to be your executor to disburse your assets to your beneficiaries?
2. In the event the person you name to be your executor is unable to complete or manage the job, who is the next best person to appoint?
3. Do you want your executor to receive compensation for handling your Estate? It is a surprising amount of work. If so, it is helpful to specify the details in your Will.
4. Do you have any special people or charities that you want to leave a specified amount of money?
5. Do you have any personal property, valuable or sentimental, that you want given to specific family members or friends?
6. If you are leaving any money to minor children, at what age do you want them to receive funds. Unless you specify otherwise they will get funds at age 18.
7. How is the residue (assets) of your estate to be divided? This is all of your remaining belonging not specifically bequeathed (given away) in #4 and #5 above.
8. If one or more of your beneficiaries dies before you, what happens to their share of your estate?
9. Do you have any instructions for your executor about your funeral or burial? If you feel strongly about these issues they should be included in your Will. Your estate will be covering the cost of these arrangement unless you have pre-paid for your funeral and or headstone.
10. If you have minor children, who do you want to care for them in your absence? What would you like to see happen if that person (s) is not able to accept or continue the raising of your children because circumstances have made it impossible. An example is a parent has become ill or too elderly. What then?
11. Do you want the person(s) caring for your children to have access to estate assets to assist with their expenses?
12. Do you intend to marry in the foreseeable future? If so, your Will should state this fact to ensure it remains valid. 

Please contact us to make an appointment for a consultation to discuss what your situation requires. If you are unable to decide how to answer the above points it may be helpful to have a legal consultation to help you make your decisions. Evening and weekend appointments can be arranged for those not able to take time off work during our regular business hours.