Making a will and setting up powers of attorney are two of the most important legal steps you can take to protect your family. But when you sit down with your lawyer for the first time, you may be surprised by how many details are involved. Who should be your executor? Who would care for your children if something happened to you? How should your estate be divided? What assets do you actually own, and in whose name are they held?
This worksheet was designed to help you answer all of those questions before your appointment. Completing it in advance means your consultation will be more productive, more focused, and ultimately less expensive, because your lawyer will not need to spend billable time collecting basic information.
What the Worksheet Covers
The worksheet is organised into three parts that mirror the documents your lawyer will prepare for you.
Part One: Last Will and Testament. This is the largest section and covers everything needed to draft your will. It starts with your personal details and your spouse's information, including contact details, birthdate, occupation, and marital status. You will then work through several important decisions.
Choosing your executor. The worksheet provides space for up to three choices of executor (estate trustee), including whether your remaining spouse should serve as primary executor or whether you prefer someone else. You can also indicate whether multiple executors should act jointly or jointly and severally, which means any one of them can act independently.
Children and guardianship. If you have living children, the worksheet collects their names, addresses, and dates of birth. For minor children, there is a separate section on guardianship. Under Ontario's Children's Law Reform Act, your guardian must apply to court within 90 days of your death for custody and guardianship of your child's property. The worksheet also covers care and education trusts, where you can specify what percentage of your estate should be held in trust and at what age the trust terminates.
Distribution of the estate. The worksheet walks you through two levels of distribution. Part I covers primary decisions: whether your entire estate goes to your spouse, is divided equally among children, or is split through specific bequests to named individuals. Part II covers the residue of the estate (everything not covered by specific bequests), which is typically distributed by shares or percentages. There is also a section for distribution of personal effects, including whether children should have first choice and who has final say in case of disagreement.
Part Two: Power of Attorney Documents. This section covers both types of power of attorney recognised in Ontario.
Power of Attorney for Management of Property. This document gives your chosen attorney legal authority to manage your finances and property if you become unable to do so yourself. It is called "continuing" or "durable" because it remains valid even after you lose mental capacity. The worksheet asks who you want to appoint (up to three alternates), whether they should act jointly or jointly and severally, and whether they are entitled to compensation. It also asks whether your attorney can make gifts or loans to friends, relatives, or charities on your behalf.
Power of Attorney for Personal Care. This document covers decisions about your medical treatment and personal care if you become mentally incapable. It is separate from the property POA because the skills and judgment required are different. The worksheet collects the same appointment details: who you want to name, alternate choices, and whether multiple attorneys should act jointly or independently.
Part Three: Inventory of Assets. This section provides a comprehensive record of everything you own and owe. Your lawyer needs this information to properly structure your will, and your executor will eventually need it to administer your estate. The inventory covers ten categories: real property (with current values and whether title is held in the husband's name, wife's name, or jointly), life insurance policies, retirement benefits, accident insurance, personal use property (vehicles, boats, antiques, jewellery, and anything valued over $1,000), bank accounts, term deposits, stocks and bonds, other business assets, and liabilities such as mortgages, auto loans, and notes payable.
How to Use This Worksheet
Print the worksheet and fill it out with your spouse or partner, if applicable. Take your time. Some of the decisions, particularly around guardianship and estate distribution, deserve real thought and conversation. You do not need to fill in every field. If a section does not apply to you, skip it. Your lawyer will confirm what is relevant during your consultation.
Once completed, bring the worksheet to your appointment. It is not a will and it is not a legal document. It is simply a tool to make the process of creating your will and powers of attorney as smooth and thorough as possible.
Download the Free Worksheet
13 pages. Fillable PDF. Covers your will, POAs, and asset inventory.
Related Resources
If you are preparing your estate plan, you may also find these resources helpful. Our Wills & Estate Planning FAQ answers common questions about wills, executors, and the probate process in Ontario. If you want to understand how powers of attorney work in more detail, see our Powers of Attorney FAQ. And if you have already lost a loved one and need to administer an estate, our Executor's Checklist for Estate Administration provides a step-by-step task list for the entire process.
Need Help With Your Will in Peterborough?
If you are ready to make or update your will and powers of attorney, we are here to help. At Bussey Ainsworth, we have been helping families in Peterborough and the Kawarthas plan their estates since 1988. We will walk you through every decision, explain your options in plain language, and make sure your documents reflect your wishes.
Call us at (705) 749-0628 or book a consultation to get started.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Estate planning laws vary across Canadian provinces. Please consult with a lawyer in your jurisdiction before making decisions about your will or powers of attorney.