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Why Have a Will?

A properly drafted Will can allow you to determine where your property will go after your death. There are several considerations that go into making a Will.

Reasons for Making a Will

Regardless of how much property you own or money you have, a Will lets you choose what happens to it after your death. Clearly setting out your wishes in a Will can help simplify things and avoid disputes over your estate. Without a Will, you lose control over what happens after you die. Below are some of the benefits to making a Will.

Choosing an Executor

Preparing a Will allows you to choose an executor who will administer your estate. When you appoint an executor who you know and trust, you have more control over the distribution of your estate. If you do not have an executor, in most cases someone would have to make a court application to administer your estate.

Powers of an Executor

Under a Will, you can authorize your executor to do things that they might not otherwise be authorized to do. For example, you can authorize your executor to:

  • make choices about investments
  • deal with trust funds
  • borrow money
  • trade in assets

Guardians for Minor Children

Under a Will, you can appoint a guardian for your children who are under the age of 18. If you are the only parent of minor children, you will want to think about who will care for them in the event of your death. More information about minors is available here.

Tax Benefits

Careful estate planning can help to minimize taxes. For example, there are tax benefits to assist in passing farm properties from generation to generation. There are also tax benefits to passing certain property to your spouse. This can be complicated, so it is a good idea to speak with an estate planner.

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About PLEA

PLEA gratefully acknowledges our primary core funder the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan for their continuing and generous support of our organization.