Make-a-Will Week 2021

October 3-9 2021 is Make-a -Will Week(link is external) in BC! This week is meant to encourage and support members of the public to write their will or bring their existing will up-to-date. A will is the best way to ensure that your estate is distributed in accordance with your wishes and that the people you care for are looked after.  

If you want to support Make-a-Will Week at your library, make sure to check out the resources below!  

Patrons with questions?  

For an overview of great resources, go to Courthouse Libraries BC’s Wills & Personal Planning Resources. This guide provides an overview of resources for different audiences, including lawyers and legal professionals, public librarians and community helpers, and the public. It also provides links to places to get help with making a will, webinars and events, and relevant legislation. Make sure to bookmark this page to check back on!  

Print Make-a-Will Resources:  

Want to make a display for Make-a-Will week? The BC Government has made two official posters that you can print and put up in your library:

Check out these plain language freebies available from People’s Law School(link is external). These booklets are all available online or as a PDF download on People’s Law School website, as well as  Clicklaw Wikibooks(link is external). Look at them online, print out the section or title you need, or order them for free from Crown Publications(link is external).  

Make sure to check your library catalogue for print materials on this subject! Some titles that are on this year's Law Books for Libraries list and possibly available at your library:  

Many of these titles are also available at Courthouse Libraries BC locations! Check our catalogue to find a location near you with a copy before you refer a patron.  

Online Make-a-Will Resources:  

Clicklaw(link is external) has a variety of Common Questions(link is external) on this topic that provide a good starting point for patrons looking for information on wills.  

MyLawBC(link is external) can help patrons make a simple will or make an action plan for those with more complicated situations.  

People’s Law School has some great pages to help those looking to prepare a will. Check out their section on Wills & Estates(link is external) or check out the links below for some helpful resources for making a will:  

Check out Dial-a-Law's(link is external) page on Preparing a will and estate planning(link is external) for step by step help on the topic.  

The UBC LSLAP Manual(link is external) has a chapter on Wills & Estate Administration(link is external), which includes a section on Making and Executing a Will.   

Make-a-Will Help: 

Does your patron need some help making their will? Refer them to one of the programs below!  

  • LSLAP Clinic(link is external) – this program helps low-income earners draft wills for estates under $25,000 and prepare other personal planning documents.  

You can also search on the Clicklaw HelpMap(link is external) for local help programs using the Wills & Estates topic filter(link is external)

Upcoming Make-a-Will Week events:  

NIDUS is holding a series of free personal planning events, beginning October 5th. Check out a full list of events on their website - https://www.nidus.ca/training-2/(link is external) 

People’s Law School is also holding some free webinars that your patrons may be interested in. The first, Making a Will in BC(link is external), is on October 5th at noon. Check out the full list for registration details -  https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/category/webinars/(link is external)

Probating an Estate?  

If a patron comes in wanting more information on probating an estate, the resources below could be helpful. Some good questions to ask in the reference interview include “Is there a will?” and “Is there an executor?” This can help you figure out what exactly your patron needs. Some good starting points are:  

Clicklaw Common Questions 

People’s Law School Wills & Estates pages

If your patron is looking for more help with court forms, the print resource Guide to Wills & Estates(link is external) could help. This title contains instructions, practical examples, tips, and detailed procedures. If it’s not in your own collection, you can find it at CLBC locations around the province - https://www.courthouselibrary.ca/ 

Grant of Administration:  

If your patron is looking to take care of an estate but there is no will then they may actually need a grant of administration. Learn more about grants of administration and how to get them using the resources below:  

Contesting a Will:  

If your patron is unhappy with their share of a will, they can contest or challenge the will in court. Check out the resources below for more information:  

Personal Planning:  

Personal planning refers to making arrangements for while you are alive but may need assistance due to illness, injury, or disability. This can include making representation agreements and enduring power of attorney. Below are some resources that can get your patrons started.  

Clicklaw Common Questions: 

NIDUS Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry has home helpful pages on Representation Agreements(link is external) and Enduring Power of Attorney(link is external).  

People’s Law School has a variety of resources on this topic. Check out their Power of Attorney booklet(link is external), available online and in print, or the section on their website Plan for your future care(link is external).  

 

If you have any questions about anything in this post, please feel free to get in touch! Email us at lawmatters@courthouselibrary.ca(link sends email)