Every adult should make drafting a valid Will a priority and it does not have to be expensive. If your affairs are simple and straightforward, the Will preparation process will be too. If they are not, all the more reason to not leave your loved ones with the burden of sorting out your affairs. Without a Will: 

• legal proceedings to divvy-up your estate will be the only way to decide who gets what,
• your property will have to be divided according to provincial legislation which may not be consistent with your wishes,
• a court will have to decide who will act as your executor for your Will and guardian for your children,
• a common-law spouse or step-child, for example, could be excluded from receiving anything from your estate, and
• if your relatives can’t be located, the government may even keep your assets.