Five Reason to Die Without a Will

There must be powerful reasons to avoid having a will because so many people die without one. According to a 2002 Léger poll, 50 percent of Canadians do not have a will. In case you happen to be one of the many folks who will depart without a will, here are five reasons to buttress your position. You can use these to help you sleep tonight.

1. The government can do a better job deciding how to disburse your assets than you can.
2. The government can choose a better personal representative to handle your estate during probate than you can.
3. The government can choose a more caring guardian for your minor children than you can.
4. The government will use your estate tax dollars more efficiently than your favourite charity would use a charitable bequest.
5. Your grieving loved ones will be better off looking after your affairs without your will.

Powerful reasons? Hardly. Nonetheless, people unwittingly affirm these reasons year after year as they continue to put off the minor inconvenience of making a will.

Your friends over at your favourite charity urge you to take action now. Your family will appreciate it. The charities you support will appreciate it. And you will appreciate the peace of mind you get from fulfilling one of your most important stewardship responsibilities.

Like many people, you may be uneasy about going to an attorney. Yet, an attorney who specializes in estate planning knows the right questions to ask and the best ways to help you accomplish your goals. These professionals are well trained and normally well worth the time and expense they require. In Saskatchewan, the Law Society publishes a suggested tariff for the preparation of a simple will. It is $60.00 for a single and $90.00 for a couple. Many lawyers follow it.

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If you need an estate-planning attorney, many charities will assist you with a suggested list of names and addresses of professionals they have worked with in the past. Some charities have a planned giving staff person who can help you with this. They will provide you with helpful printed material on making a will and, if you like, supply information on ways you can include charitable giving in your plans.

While you will still need to meet with your professional advisor for expert counsel, an advance meeting or two with your charity representative can prove useful and could save costs by helping you make the best use of your attorney’s time. At most charities these services are available to you without obligation whatsoever. Phone your favourite charity for more details on the services they offer.

Caring for the disposition of your assets is too important to delay,. It’s important for you, for your loved ones and for your favourite charity.

Once you have a will it’s not a bad idea to contact your favourite charity to let them know you have included them (or intent to include them) in your estate plans. This information helps them plan more effectively for the future.