If you have a spouse or partner:

Your will can be fairly simple. Most couples leave most of their savings and property first to each other. Owning things like a house, a car, or a boat in both your names is an easy way to pass things on to each other.

If you don’t have a spouse, you can consider owning property jointly with someone else in your family or with a good friend. But be careful about jointly owning property with anyone except your spouse. Joint ownership means joint decisions. 

If your family situation is complex:

Your will may have to provide for people who depend on you. For example: What if you have children from another marriage? What if there are other family members who depend on you, such as a prior spouse or aging parents? There are family laws in each province that could affect what you can leave to whom.

If you have an asset you want your family to own jointly or share after your death?

Leaving something like a family cottage or vacation spot to more than one person can be tricky. Sometimes one family member can’t pay their fair share of the upkeep. Before you know it, your loved ones could start to fight. They may even have to sell the property if they can’t work things out.

Even people who get along most of the time can have problems trying to share an inheritance. Be sure to get good legal advice if you are thinking about leaving an asset to more than one person.