Just as it is important to celebrate life, the British Columbian Government urges its citizens to prepare for their deaths by making their wills, a document that include a person's final wishes regarding one's personal wishes, inheritance and other business matters.
In celebration of the "Make a Will Week" in the province in Vancouver, Canada, British Columbians are encouraged to finally join those minority who have made their last will and testaments in preparation for an unforeseen death which would further arrange their last wishes and avoid disputes, the British Columbia Government website reports.
"A will is the best way to ensure that the people, charities and organizations you cherish most receive the benefit of your estate," the release on the website states. "If you die without a will, your estate may not be distributed in the way you would have wished and the costs of administering your estate may also be higher."
Although it may seem illogical to prepare for what happens after a person dies even while he is still alive, B.C. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Suzanne Anton, shares that "A will is a gift to your loved ones who are coping with loss," Anton said, as per KelownaNow.
Furthermore, a will is one way to be remembered according to Anton. "It offers your voice and provides greater certainty that your wishes about the future of your children, your business and your banking accounts are honoured. Most importantly, a will helps your loved ones focus on remembering you."
Meanwhile, the President of the Canadian Bar Association, Jennifer Chow, states that penning a will can avoid conflict within a family after the loss of their loved one and during their grieving period since there are also financial and property talks usually involved with the loss, the news agency reports.
However, while some believe that a will is only applicable for those with assets, it is also apparently for those with little as it is a general necessity to put down in writing what one wants to leave behind after death.
"People often don't think they need one because they think they don't have much, so a will is for everyone, whether you have a little or whether you have a large estate," Anton said, as per Inews880. The news comes with a recent survey made by the Society of Notaries Public of B.C. showing results that 45% of adults don't have a current legal will, CTV News Vancouver reports. Meanwhile a total of 80% of British Columbians between 18 and 34 years old don't have a legal will.
Make a Will Week is happening from April 10-16,2016, as per KelownaNow.
