I am having a LOT of problems with getting into threads today for some reason. It is a good 10 minute wait to get into EACH thread. Beggars can't be choosers...gotta take whatever computer I can. I have waited and waited until I could afford a lawyer to set up a will. I know it is something that needs to be done. I don't think I will EVER be able to afford a lawyer. So even though I do not own a whole lot how do I go about writing out which individuals I want to leave my things to? How do I make it "legal"//"official" without a lawyer? I live in Saskatchewan Canada and No I also cannot afford to buy that "Legal Will Kit" they advertize on the radio. It'll have to be something I write out on a piece of paper. Any help is appreciated.

-- kben (ikben@canada.com), February 27, 2002

Answers

Is there anything equivalent to Nolo Press (self-help legal) www.nolo.com in Canada? In the states you technically do not need a lawyer, but rather you need to follow certain prescribed rules (such as witnesses, notarizing, etc. so that the will can be recognized as valid. See if it is that way in Canada as well.

Also, at least here, many stationery stores offer "boilerplate" will forms for sale. And, depending upon age and assets (owning land may bump you out of the "poor" category, for example) you might qualify for free legal aid. Also, you might want to consider giving the stuff away now, while you are alive to do so, eliminating fights afterward.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), February 27, 2002.

At the office supply stores here in the U.S. you can pick-up a do-it- yourself will for about $10. You just have to fill in the blanks and get it noterized in front of witnesses, like at a bank.

Since we have minor children we paid for an attorney to do a will and a trust and address guardianship issues. We paid $350.

-- Anita in NC (anitaholton@mindspring.com), February 27, 2002.

You can even buy software for wills, trusts, and guardianships through Nolo, but Kben was asking about Canada.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), February 27, 2002.

You can purchase software to write a will in the states for $14.95.

Check out www.wills-net.com They have a Canada and US will selection. I believe you can do an online simple will for $50 to $60. If you want detailed wills, they have a selection..

Hope this helps! Good luck.

-- milam (milamgerick@juno.com), February 27, 2002.

A lot of lawyers will do a will for free hoping to catch you on the back end when you need to probate the estate. You might want to check around for someone who'll do that. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), February 27, 2002.

Oh, but you can afford a lawyer... as a matter of fact you can get the services of the nations highest rated lawyers for WAY less than you would think!!!! Just check out my website.

www.prepaidlegal.com/go/jakesimmons

Hopefully this will be of some help. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

-- Jake (jakesimmons@charter.net), February 28, 2002.

I would look about a living trust and forget the will.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), February 28, 2002.

Living Trusts really depend on how much you have in assets. The original post indicated that he didn't have a lot, so a trust may not be worth it.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), February 28, 2002.

I understand if you can't afford a lawyer, but if you have any minor children, I urge you to pay the money and get it done by a lawyer who specializes in wills, even if you have to sell a couple cows or some of your land. I can't stress enough how important it is if you have any land, homes or anything of real value that you think someone would fight over, but most especially in the case of minor children. My father died when I was nine and THANK GOD he had a will!!!!! His greedy brothers would have tried very hard to bleed us dry if not (they still tried somewhat, but got laughed out of court before we even got there because of Daddy's will).

If you don't have any of the above, I'd call a lawyer (or two or three) atleast long enough to ask "Are holographic wills legally recognized in (fill in name of your town here)? Anything other than handwritten and signed needed for it to be valid (i.e., witnesses, notarization, etc.)?" A holographic will is one totally and completely handwritten by YOU and, here in Texas, are legally recognized as a valid will. And, again here in Texas, you have to leave atleast a nominal sum (like $100) to all of your heirs ~ I think this is so they don't contest it on the grounds that they were "forgotten". I don't know if the laws are the same where you are, hence the need for you to call a local lawyer. I would do a little research on my own, as well, before going to see him ~ lawyers are only human and may forget something important. Besides, it also keeps you from being at his mercy.

Even if you have children, land, etc., I'd write a holographic one until you can afford one done by a lawyer. It'd be better than nothing.

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), February 28, 2002.