After Signing
This brochure summarizes the steps that we recommend clients take after signing important documents such as a Will, Powers of Attorney, and other related documents. It also includes important information regarding storage of, and future changes to, your documents.

Immediately after signing:
Tell your executor (estate trustee) and your attorney (substitute decision-maker) where your original Will and/or Powers of Attorney documents are stored.

If the documents are stored at our office, provide your executor and attorney with our business card. We also recommend that you carry the wallet card that we have provided. If our office is storing your original documents, it is not necessary to store your copies in a safety deposit box.

If the original documents are not stored at our office, advise your executor and attorney where they are stored. We generally advise against storing the originals in a safety deposit box as they may not be readily available when needed. We also recommend that you carry the wallet card that we have provided.

Give an original signed Power of Attorney for Personal Care to your attorney for personal care.

Carry a photocopy of your Power of Attorney for Personal Care and the phone number of each attorney in your wallet orpurse.

Provide your family physician with the name and phone number of each of your attorneys for personal care.

Make the following lists and update them regularly (at least annually) and whenever changes occur. Store these lists with your documents:

• assets and their location;
• names and contact information of the beneficiaries named in your Will; and,
• names and contact information of your accountant, financial planner, lawyer, insurance broker and any other person or organization that your executor may need to contact.

• copies of your Will and Powers of Attorney;
• the list of assets;
• the list of beneficiaries and contact information;
• the list of professionals that your executor or attorney may need to contact;
• the title documents for your home and any other real estate that you may own;
• personal papers such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, marriage contract, separation or divorce papers, family trusts, etc.; and,
• the death certificates of closely-related persons (parents, spouse, child) who have predeceased you.

Your Will, Powers of Attorney, and estate plan should be reviewed regularly to ensure that changes in your financial circumstances, the law, or your wishes are taken into account. Some significant events that might indicate that your documents should be reviewed and possibly updated are:

• name changes (you or individuals named in your documents);
• the death of individuals named in your documents, whether an executor, an attorney or beneficiary;
• concerns about an executor or attorney due to advanced age, ill-health, or other reason that suggests the individual may be unable to act when needed;
• you sell or give away an item or real property that is mentioned in your Will;
• you marry, separate, or divorce, have children or adopt children; and, li type="square">the size of your estate increases or decreases significantly.

If you want to cancel (revoke) or change your Will or Powers of Attorney, it is essential that you contact your lawyer to ensure that the legal formalities are observed; otherwise, your wishes may not take effect. For example, many people think that handwritten changes on a copy of their Will or Power of Attorney are sufficient to change the Will. However, such changes generally do not take effect and can cause confusion resulting in a costly Court review to determine your intentions.

Please feel free to contact us by phone at (613) 836-9915, ext. 0 to book an appointment or for more information.

Copyright © 2001-2005, Donna S.M. Neff
Reproduction of this Web page is only permitted with written authorization by the author. The information in this brochure is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult a lawyer if you have questions.