Can I write my own Will?

Published on 29 August 2022, 07:22:56 AM

While it can be hard to think about the end of your life, preparing a will is an important step for making sure that your family are looked after when you are gone. It doesn’t matter what age you are, having a will makes sure property is distributed the way you want it to be after you die. Otherwise, the laws in Ontario will come into play and this can be a long and complicated process. It is believed that around half of Canadians do not have a will.

A common question that people ask is whether they can write their own will. The answer to this question is yes, but it is not recommended. It must be handwritten by you and signed too. But for a will to be a formal and legal document, there are rules that you have to follow. While you may think you know how to write your own will, if it is missing these legal requirements, it will not be valid. In other words, not preparing your will properly will mean that your family will face financial burdens and a long legal process to deal with your personal affairs.

The best way to ensure that your will is valid and formalizes your wishes is by preparing it with the assistance of a lawyer. A professional will be able to help you and offer the legal advice that you need to make sure your will is going to be legally binding upon your death. In particular, if you are getting married or are thinking about a divorce, this is a good time to seek legal advice. In addition, if you have extensive property and a large estate, as well as international assets, a professional is going to make sure your will is correct. If you are elderly or have a psychological disease, you are going to require a lawyer to create your will for it to be valid.