Wills, Estate Planning and Income Tax Law

Everyone should have a will to ensure that their estate is distributed how they want. Contrary to popular belief, if you die without a will, the government will not take all your money, they will, however determine how your estate will be divided.

In addition, to making sure your estate is divided in accordance with your wishes, having a will also makes life easier for your survivors. If you were to die without a will, your family has to decide who will make the application for letters of administration (instead of probate.) In many cases your survivors will have more difficulty obtaining the required information to settle the will, mainly due to adherence to privacy legislation, which make financial institutions hesitant to communicate with people in the absence of a will appointing them.