Creating a will before one’s demise continues to be one of the most effective means of safeguarding your family while ensuring that your last wishes are executed properly after you pass away. However, it may turn out to be overwhelming for the average Canadian more often than not. This is why one must seek assistance from any of the top law firms in Woodstock (Ontario) that specialize in wills and estates when requiring an unambiguous understanding of their legal obligations.

Do You Require a Lawyer to Make a Will in Ontario?

While the prevailing law does not necessarily ask you to rely on a lawyer to create your will, doing so can offer you peace of mind. And to be valid, a will must satisfy certain legal criteria pursuant to the Succession Law Reform Act in Ontario. For instance, your will must be in writing, duly signed by you, and witnessed by two people who have nothing to gain from the will.

Although do-it-yourself wills may appear a viable option in the first place, mistakes in writing or signing may spawn lengthy legal battles or render them unenforceable. The most telltale advantage of roping in any of the established law firms in Woodstock (Ontario) to prepare a will is that your wishes are going to be clearly put on paper, and it is going to satisfy all legal requirements.

What May Be the Probable Consequences of Dying without a Will in Ontario?

If you pass away without having a valid will, you die intestate. Your estate is going to be distributed according to intestacy rules of Ontario. These regulations say that your closest family members—usually your children and spouse— are going to inherit your assets. If you have a spouse but no children, by virtue of what is stated in Part II of the Succession Law Reform Act, your significant other takes the entire estate. Note that a well-drafted will essentially allows you to finalize beforehand how your estate is going to be distributed. This is why you must approach any of the leading law firms in Woodstock (Ontario).

Whether You Can Alter Your Will in Ontario?

You have the liberty to modify your will as many times as you may wish, and you must do so when there are any vital or life-altering incidents, such as divorce or marriage, urgent requirements for substantial assets, or potential changes in your relationships with beneficiaries, such as the birth of grandchildren or children. You may leverage either of the two major ways when planning to update your will—designing a new one from the ground up or codicil.

For the uninitiated, the latter is an amendment to your existing will, and it must be signed and witnessed in the very same manner as the original one. However, rewriting a will is typically easier and more effective, particularly if you need to cover a lot of ground. Make a point to add a clause that nullifies all other previous wills. To suffice, when you team up with any of the most preferred and trusted law firms in Woodstock (Ontario), be assured that your will is going to be not only rewritten correctly but also consistent with your estate planning objectives.