Recorded on: October 3, 2023
Length: 60 minutes
Summary
Lawyers Michael Scott and Brandi Stocks and notary public Clinton Lee answer common questions on how to make or update a will. This practical session covers the will-making process from start to finish so you can identify what stage you’re at and what you need to do next.
Highlights
In this webinar, you will learn:
Getting started
How to know if you’re someone who should make a will. [2:50]
The best time to make or update your will. [4:10]
What you can expect to see (and not see) in a will. [7:20]
What decisions you will need to make before you write your will. [12:20]
Writing the will
Who can write your will. [14:15]
What you can expect when you hire a lawyer or notary to write your will. [16:25]
How much time and money it takes to make a will. [22:10]
Finalizing the will
What you need to do to make your will legally binding. [27:05]
Whether following the technical steps assures that your will is valid. [30:15]
Storing and updating your will
What to do with your will after it’s been signed. [34:15]
What to do if you want to change something after your will has been signed. [36:35]
What happens if you misplace your will and nobody can find it after you’re gone. [39:45]
Live questions
Factors to consider when naming a trust company as executor. [42:20]
What happens to your possessions if you die without a will. [48:35]
What happens if a person has an outdated will, but lacks capacity to make a new will. [49:40]
How to set up a trust fund for someone with a disability. [51:30]
What to consider in evaluating a self-help will kit. [54:40]
Featuring
Michael Scott
Michael Scott is a lawyer at Clark Wilson LLP in Vancouver. He practices in estates and trusts and elder law. He is passionate about helping individuals work through their estate planning options by simplifying complex legal principles to ensure the decisions they make about wealth transfer, business succession, incapacity and disability are well-informed ones.
Brandi Stocks
Brandi Stocks is a lawyer with the Public Guardian and Trustee in the Child and Youth Services Division.
Clinton Lee
Clinton Wai Yin Lee has been a practicing notary since 2015. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a Masters in Applied Legal Studies from Simon Fraser University. He joined David Watts in 2016 and is a staff notary at the office. He loves the ability to serve his community with legal services that allow them to move forward in life. Whether it’s helping clients with their estate planning or their first home purchase, the reward is seeing people able to make a positive step in their life through his profession.
Attendee feedback
“I feel that I now have more understanding of making a will, as this is something I have been putting off for a long time.“
“Well prepared, and speakers are very knowledgeable. Very interactive.“
“Appreciate having both notary and lawyer perspectives.“
“The information from the webinar helped to minimize my fears of engaging with a professional, lawyer or notary, about changes to my will. I feel better equipped now to discuss family background and changing dynamics, and to go in with information and prepared questions to better understand options.“
“This webinar has made me get off my butt to make a new will. I have been a widow for four years now and have done nothing about updating my will.“
“I appreciate that you made us think about something that is important and we all want to do but we are just too busy or overwhelmed to do. Gave me a place to start! And reminded me of the importance of it. Very informative!“
“Well done, very engaging and informative. Seems we have not in the past received the best advice on our wills, nor were we asked the questions that were mentioned here. So thank you for the information.“
“Really great and informative!!!! Perfect length of time to discuss the dry and icky subject of death/things to take care of that can seem overwhelming!!“
Additional resources
From People’s Law School:
Preparing your will, a step-by-step guide
More detail on choosing an executor and how your will doesn’t cover every type of property
Also:
Wills registry, to file a notice of your will