Make succession rhyme with anticipation!

If you're a homeowner, think about your estate! Letting the law decide for you isn't good for everyone... 

Do you own one or more properties, or are you about to? Think about your estate! It’s never fun to think about the aftermath, to anticipate death, especially when you’re still young and in good health. Otherwise, the law will decide for you, and that may not please everyone… 

Who will inherit according to the law?

The law provides for a number of inheritance scenarios, depending mainly on your marital and family situation: are you married? Do you have children? Siblings? 

Just so you know…

– If you are married with children, your heirs will be 2/3 your children and 1/3 your spouse.

– If you are not married but have children, your children will inherit 100%. Your common-law spouse will inherit nothing.

– If you are married, with no children but with parents, 2/3 of your heirs will be your spouse, 1/3 your parents.

– If you’re unmarried, with no children, but with parents and siblings, your parents and siblings will share your estate, while your de facto spouse will receive nothing.

– If you are married with no parents or children, your spouse will inherit 2/3 and your brothers and sisters 1.

– If you are unmarried, childless or parentless, only your brothers and sisters will inherit.

What can be done to change this?

Family relationships can be complicated, and sudden deaths can leave loved ones penniless or homeless. They can create family problems that are sometimes resolved in court after years of litigation. 

If the law doesn’t suit you, if you want to protect your de facto spouse, or if you want to give preference to other people, make your arrangements: draw up a will.

The 3 types of wills recognized in Quebec

• Holograph wills. It must be written and signed by you. It must be dated and titled as a will.
• Notarial wills. It is an official document drawn up by a notary, and must be signed by the testator and the notary, in the presence of a witness of legal age. You must also declare that the will contains an expression of your last wishes.
• Witnessed wills. It can be handwritten, printed or made using a form purchased online or in-store. This will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses of legal age, to whom you leave nothing.

In life, prevention is better than cure, so don’t hesitate! 

For more information: www.protegezvous.ca