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Getting Started with Will and Estate Glossary 

Master the language of will and estate planning with this easy-to-navigate A–Z reference

 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

  • Charitable Bequest – A gift left to a registered charity through a Will, which can take the form of cash, assets, a percentage of the estate, or a residual or contingent gift.
  • Contingency Plans – Backup instructions in a Will for scenarios where primary choices such as beneficiaries or executors are unavailable or unable to act.
  • Contingent Charitable Gift – A donation that is only made if certain conditions are met, such as another beneficiary being unable to accept their inheritance.
  • Cultural Legacy Instructions – Non-financial requests related to preserving family customs, traditions, or culturally significant items within an estate plan.
  • Digital Legacy Management – Directions within or alongside a Will regarding control or deletion of digital accounts, social media, and online content after death.
  • DIY Will – A Will written without professional assistance, often handwritten or created using basic templates; may be valid in some provinces if it meets legal requirements, but prone to errors.
  • Emotional Legacy – The non-material impact of a Will, including personal messages, funeral wishes, or values the testator wants to pass on.
  • Estate Planning Priorities – Key personal and financial decisions made before writing a Will, including asset distribution, guardian selection, and identifying beneficiaries.
  • Exclusion Rationale – A written explanation provided by the testator, outside of the Will, to clarify the reasoning behind disinheriting or excluding an expected beneficiary.
  • Executor – The individual chosen to manage an estate and carry out instructions; should be responsible, trustworthy, and able to handle legal and financial matters.
  • Family Dynamics Considerations – The practice of addressing complex or sensitive relationships in a Will to prevent conflict and ensure intentions are honored.
  • Guardianship – A section of the Will that names the person responsible for caring for minor children or dependants if the testator passes away.
  • Holograph Will – A handwritten Will created entirely by the testator without witnesses; legally valid only in specific provinces under strict rules.
  • Information to Gather – Documents and details needed to write a Will, such as a list of assets, names of beneficiaries, and executor or guardian choices.
  • Legacy Giving – The act of including charitable gifts in a Will to reflect personal values, support causes long-term, and create a meaningful impact beyond one's lifetime.
  • Legal Document Preparation – The process of gathering essential records, such as previous Wills, identification documents, and certificates, to support Will drafting and validation.
  • Legal Validity – The requirement for a Will to meet provincial standards, including proper signing and witnessing, to be enforceable in court.
  • Letter of Wishes – A non-binding personal letter that accompanies a Will, offering context, guidance, or emotional clarity to beneficiaries and executors.
  • Online Will Tool – A digital platform offering guided templates to create a Will; convenient but must comply with provincial laws for validity.
  • Personal Wishes – Non-financial instructions included in a Will, such as funeral preferences, messages to family, or charitable intentions.
  • Pet Care Provisions – Instructions in a Will or supporting document naming who should care for pets and how they should be supported after the testator’s death.
  • Pre-Will Decision Making – The personal planning phase before legal drafting, including selecting beneficiaries, executors, and guardians.
  • Registered Charity – An officially recognized nonprofit eligible to receive charitable bequests; must be identified by legal name and registration number in the Will.
  • Residual Charitable Gift – A donation made from whatever remains in the estate after all specific gifts, taxes, and expenses have been paid.
  • Sentimental Gifts – Non-financial items of emotional or symbolic value, such as heirlooms or keepsakes, designated in a Will to avoid family conflict and preserve meaning.
  • Specific Asset Gift – A charitable bequest involving non-cash items like securities, real estate, or artwork.
  • Starting a Will – The initial step in estate planning that involves organizing priorities, deciding on a format, and drafting intentions before legal execution.
  • Statement of Values – A written document, separate from the Will, expressing the testator’s beliefs, intentions, and hopes for how their estate decisions should be interpreted.
  • Tax-Efficient Charitable Strategy – An estate planning approach that includes donations such as publicly traded securities to reduce taxable income and maximize impact for both the charity and estate.
  • Value-Based Philanthropy – Charitable giving that aligns with the testator’s personal values, beliefs, and legacy intentions, often incorporated into the Will alongside family inheritances.
  • Will Completion Steps – The process of finalizing a Will, including writing, signing, witnessing, and secure storage.
  • Will Information Folder – A designated place, physical or digital, to store all relevant documents, contact info, and financial statements to assist in Will creation and estate planning.
  • Will Planning Checklist – A structured list of tasks and materials to gather before drafting a Will, ensuring thorough and organized preparation.
  • Will Storage – The act of keeping a completed Will in a secure location and informing trusted individuals where it can be found for future reference.