Local non-profits to host free wills clinic

Miranda Seymour realizes she has had to develop a thick skin when speaking about subjects most would consider morbid.

“I notice when I meet people, I’m usually straight to the point,” Seymour said.

Seymour is a lawyer and notary with Marcotte Law, a firm which offers assistance in will and estate planning.

She will be presenting a free workshop on the subject of writing a will next Wednesday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Prince George courthouse. Although the workshop will not involve Seymour actually writing a will, she will be covering the basics of what one should include.

The workshop will be presented in partnership with Access Pro Bono and the Prince George and District Elizabeth Fry Society.

Seymour believes there are cultural barriers which keep many from financial and estate planning. Some individuals would simply rather not think about their own death. But other barriers exist as well.

“It seems like a lot of people don’t have wills and I guess one of the barriers is the cost of trying to do it professionally,” she said.

Seymour said the process of writing a will can often involve naming an executor, guardians for children and establishing a process for settling outstanding debts. Although provincial legislation includes some provisions for family or friends to act as an administrator of an estate if a will does not exist, in cases where an individual has no spouse, children or living relatives, an individual’s estate could be ceded to the province.

Seymour said wills allow individuals to have some control of how their assets are distributed. This may be of increasing importance, as marital separations and large extended families can make planning this process more complicated.

“I find it’s more important in this day and age when talking about blended families,” Seymour said.

Those interested in attending Wednesday’s workshop can register by calling the Elizabeth Fry Society at 250-614-2738 or 250-6137460. Registration is mandatory and must be done by Friday, March 23 at noon.

Other free clinics will also be offered at the Prince George Courthouse on April 25 and May 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.