Understanding Wills

By planning ahead and preparing the appropriate documents, most decisions regarding your assets, family and individual wishes can be addressed while you are still living, making decisions easier for your survivors.

Your Last Will & Testament

Your Will is your voice after you’re gone. The clearer your instructions, the better it is for the people you leave behind.

A well-written and current Will helps ensure:

the right people are provided for after you pass away;
you know who will be your children’s guardian;
your assets will be distributed according to your wishes;
disagreements are sought to be prevented among those who expect to benefit from your estate;
the people responsible for managing your estate understand how you would like your affairs managed; and
your estate can be settled quickly.

Who can make a Will?

Anyone over 18 years of age with legal capacity can make a Last Will & Testament.

Legal capacity to make a Last Will & Testament means you are of sound mind, you understand what a Last Will & Testament is, and what a Last Will & Testament does. This means you know what property you own, who is important to you, and you are able to consider any claims that may be made against your estate.

When should I write or update my Will?

Whenever your life changes.

An up-to-date Last Will & Testament helps ensure the important people in your life are looked after.

As a rule, we recommend that you review and change your Last Will & Testament after a significant life event like:

getting married or divorced;
buying or selling a home or a business;
having a child;
deciding to change the beneficiaries of your will;
deciding to change the executor of your will;
deciding to change the guardian of your minor children; and
when minor children become majors.

Let THE WILL BANK help you find security in knowing that your wishes are carried out after your death.