November is Make A Will Month
Does the idea of creating a will fill you with trepidation? Or maybe you’re considering a Power of Attorney for your elderly parents? Estate planning doesn’t have to be scary, and the Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL), along with the Ontario Bar Association are hosting talks to help you learn more.
Three lawyers from Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP, Brian Gillingham, Angela Fallow, and Ryan MacNeil, will be working together to give these talks to the Kingston community.
Gillingham and MacNeil will give the first presentation on Monday, Nov. 18 at the Isabel Turner branch, Fallow and MacNeil will give the second presentation, on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Sydenham branch, and MacNeil will give the final presentation on his own at the Calvin Park branch on Thursday, Nov. 28.
“I think many of us put off thinking about writing a will and choosing a power of attorney, perhaps because we don’t want to think about the future, and perhaps because it all seems too complicated,” said Anne Hall, Librarian, Programming & Outreach, KFPL. “But anyone who has had to settle the affairs of a relative who died without a will, or whose will was years out-of-date, or who’s had to make arrangements for someone who can no longer stay in their own home, knows how much more complicated it is when all you can do is guess at your relative’s wishes.”
“Making a will and arranging for a power of attorney is a way of easing difficult decisions for your loved ones and making your wishes clear, against a time when you may not be able to do so in person. These talks will help explain what we need to consider when drawing up a will and a power of attorney, which should help to make the process less daunting,” Anne continued. “They’re only a start, of course, and, after listening to the presentations, we hope that everyone will take advantage of the library’s resources on wills and power of attorney to investigate further.”
The library is offering this talk three times:
- at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 18, at the Isabel Turner branch
- at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, at the Sydenham branch
- at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 28 at the Calvin Park branch
Each session will be the same, so please only plan to attend one. Registration is advised. You can register online at calendar.kfpl.ca or by phone at (613) 549-8888.
“We’re so appreciative of the work of the Ontario Bar Association and our guest speakers for making these presentations possible,” Hall said. “We hope there’ll be a good turnout at all three presentations (and that the weather will cooperate)!”
Jessica is a busy working mom who enjoys writing, editing, and blogging. She loves raising her family here in Kingston and tries to get out to all the amazing events around town. You can find more of her writing on her blog A Modern Mom’s Life, and see what she gets up to with her family on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
I am interested I. The Make a will
On November 18 but I do not have a library card
You don’t need a library card to attend meetings only when you check books/movies out of the library. Library cards are free with ID.
But it says in order to register you need a library card, how do you register without one?
This is a wonderful initiative. You’re in excellent hands with Angela, Brian and Ryan. I particularly encourage young parents to attend. A gentle nudge to remember to include charitable giving so money that will go to taxes returns to your community and results in more flowing to your family. Thanks to the organizers!