Top 10 Reasons Why It Is Not Wise To Write Your Own Will

by: admin | Total views: 102 | Word Count: 386 | View PDF | Print View

 by: News Canada

(NC)-Although some provinces accept a handwritten,
self-made will (called a "Holograph" will), it is risky to do it
yourself. The cost of having a will prepared professionally by a lawyer
or notary is far less than people imagine.

Here are just some of the common mistakes which can be made when individuals handwrite their own wills:

1. Any wills written previously are not formally revoked.
   

2. There is often no alternate Executor named.
   

3. Frequently a family member or friend is given a
   bequest, but then there is no consideration for what happens to this
   gift if the person predeceases the author of the will.
   

4. Most people who write their own wills do not
   make sufficient provision for the person administering your Estate. For
   example, the power to sell and convert assets to cash, etc.
   

5. On several occasions the language a person uses in making a home-made will can be vague or misinterpreted.
   

6. Often people take certain things for granted; for example, that their children will outlive them.
   

7. Favourite non-profit organizations such as a health charity or Greenpeace are not identified properly.
   

8. People may instruct to give a particular item
   to a friend or relative, but no consideration is given to what happens
   if that gift does not exist at the date of death.
   

9. Sometimes a house is left to a spouse, in
   trust for example, but then there is often no mention of who pays the
   expenses for upkeep of the property during the lifetime of the
   beneficiary.
   

10. Last, but not least, don't make the mistake of
    assuming because you have typewritten your own will that it is a valid
    Holograph will. A typewritten will has to follow the usual formalities
    of a prepared will, such as witnessing and signing as required by law.
    

If a will is not done properly, the things you have worked
hard for all your life may not be looked after in the manner you would
have wished - not to speak of the confusion left behind for loved ones,
at a time when they are least able to cope with such difficulties.

For a free copy of the booklet "Questions & Answers
About Wills" which has more helpful information about this topic,
please write to: Greenpeace Canada, 1726 Commercial Drive, Suite 200,
Vancouver, B.C. V5N 4A3.

About the Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Rating: Not yet rated

Comments

Add Comment

Copy and Paste Article Code.

Remember: The article body, title, author bio and links may not be changed or removed. By publishing this article, you agree to all the terms in our Terms of Service.

More articles in this Category

1: Why You Need an Injury Lawyer?
2: Purpose of Prenuptial Agreements
3: Is Your Immigration Petition Taking Too Long?
4: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Overview
5: What You Need to Know in a Truck Accident