In these pandemic times, it is even more important that each of us, and the people we work with, have thought about and created a will. This is true, and yet, when we need it most, there are fewer social workers around to help our patients do this (this may be less true in the hospital setting where Social Workers are still working. There is a huge shortage of SWs in the community setting.)
Based on an Ontario will checklist I found on-line, I put together this document. It is NOT legal advice. It's just 'things to think about.' We have used it with some PCOT patients and hope that you may find it useful. Remember that it does not replace a visit or consultation with a lawyer. On the other hand, if someone is very ill and a lawyer cannot get to them, it provides some help as they put something down on paper. As long as it is signed by the individual and witnessed, signed and dated by two people who are not named in the will, it will be considered a legal will from what I understand.
Please feel free to use as you see appropriate.
May blessings abound,
kathy
Thinking
About Your Will
Note: This document does not provide legal advice.
Resources
used to provide this document were accessed on Monday April 6, 2020 and are as
follows:
Anyone
developing a will should always make sure that the resources being used are for
residents of Ontario (as these are).
Checklist
For Making A Will
Steps
To Help You Prepare
1.
Gather and review all the documents related to your estate.
2.
List key documents such as”
a.
Birth, death, marriage & divorce certificates;
b.
Deeds & mortgages;
c.
Bank account numbers;
d.
Investment portfolio account numbers;
e.
Insurance policy numbers;
f.
Funeral plans and burial lot information.
3.
List your advisors such as your banker, lawyer, accountant,
investment dealer, and insurance agent. Include their company names and
addresses
4.
Make sure you family and executor(s) know where this information
is located. Some of it may be needed right after your death. Don't keep it with
your will.
What
To Consider When Making Your Will
5.
Who will you select as executor and, if you wish, co-executor? (this is the person who will make sure that
what you put in your will is honoured.) Consider naming an alternate executor
in case the executor is not able to act. Speak to these people to be sure they
will agree to act.
6.
Do you want to leave bequests? Bequests are specific items of personal
property (such as a car, jewelry, china, silver, art, furs, etc.) or a sum of
money that you wish to leave to a specific person.
7.
To whom do you wish to leave the remainder of your estate? Spouse?
Children? Charities? Is it to go directly or through a trust? If it is being
left to children, are they to receive it immediately or at some future time?
Note:
If the children are minors, you might want to specify a certain age.
8.
How do you want your estate distributed (your estate is anything
that is left over after the specific bequests have been distributed.)
9.
If one of your children has died, do you want his or her children
to
receive
that share, or do you want it to go to your other children?
10.Who will you
name as a guardian for dependant children or disabled
adult
children? Make sure the guardian agrees to act!
11.If you are in
a second marriage and both of you have children from previous marriages you may
wish to consider the available options. For
example, the remainder of your estate can go to:
a.
your spouse absolutely;
b.
your children absolutely;
c.
your spouse for his or her use while alive, and then, after your spouse
dies, to your children;
d.
your children and the children of your spouse.
It is very
important that you and your spouse discuss the various
options and
agree upon your plans.
12.In the event
that a minor (child, grandchild, niece or nephew) inherits a share of your
estate, who do you want to receive their share?
13.If one of
your beneficiaries is dead, who do you want to receive their share?
