Take the first step: Wills and Personal Planning
End of life.
It’s one of those topics that we usually like to dance around or pointedly avoid until a problem is staring us in the face.
I’ve narrowed it down three possible culprits:
- we may think learning about estate planning and personal planning is too difficult and complicated;
- we may think it costs too much money; and/or
- in the context of personal planning, we may easily conceive of accidents happening to us as we explore new and unknown places, but not in our own home, workplace or community.
Here are some ways to take the first step:
There’s no better time than now to start learning about the importance of having these legal documents in place. Think of it like travel insurance–nobody especially likes planning for it, but don’t you want to make sure you’re covered in a crisis?
At the Wills and Personal Planning Resources page on the Courthouse Libraries BC website, you have one page with information guides, forms, free or nominal-fee services, tools, and events—for everyone to use. Did you know about CBA BC’s Dial-a-Lawyer Day coming up on April 16th?
The PDFs are printable and shareable.
What’s Personal Planning? Isn’t a will enough?
If you don’t know about Representation Agreements, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives, you’ll want to read more about these important legal planning documents here.
Along with the other Law Week presentations, bookmark Nidus’ topical presentation (free, in-person) at People’s Law School on April 14th, which will cover the key legal documents, as well as:
- the recent ruling on physician-assisted death, and
- the Personal Planning Registry–a secure way to simplify communication of your wishes with the important people in your life. Securely store copies of your other documents, like memorial arrangements and your will, too!
Check out everything mentioned above here.
All Law Week/Make-a-Will Week Events:
- April 11-14, Various dates & times: Free Public Legal Education Classes – Various In-Person Locations across BC
- April 14, 12-1pm: Planning for Incapacity and End of Life – In-Person, Vancouver
- April 14, 1-3pm: #AskChiefJudge Twitter Town Hall – Online, Twitter or Email
- April 14, Various times: Downtown Community Court Tours – In-Person, Vancouver
- April 16, 10am-2pm: Dial-a-Lawyer Day – Over the Phone – Free 15 minute consultation with a lawyer in these areas of the law: Business, Criminal, Employment, Family, Foreclosure, Immigration, Real Estate, Torts & MVA, Wills & Estates. Multiple languages available.