It is common to hear someone ask if it is possible or advisable to prepare a Will without a lawyer. Investor Educator Fund, through their article in the Toronto Star titled “Can I write my own will?”, attempts to answer this question. Though this article is outdated (May 7, 2011), the considerations it raises remain highly relevant when deciding how to prepare a Will today. Remember that a lawyer’s role is to ensure that your wishes and interests are protected when preparing your Will and other estate planning documents. While it might be tempting to write your own Will to save the cost of a lawyer preparing it, a lawyer’s help can make sure your Will isn’t inadvertently declared void possibly resulting in your intended beneficiaries being left out.
