Legacy Giving Frequently Asked Questions - Division of Advancement

Having an up-to-date Will is important to ensure your loved ones are supported, and your wishes become reality. Without a valid Will the laws in your region of residence will decide how your assets are distributed and who should care for minor children or pets. Creating a Will gives you the peace of mind of a well-thought-out plan while easing the burden for your family.

Legacy gifts make a big difference, and they are simpler than you might think! By setting aside a portion of your estate for your family and loved ones -- you’ll be providing for their wellbeing, AND you can also set aside a portion to leave a legacy to a cause you care about.

When creating your Will, you can easily specify the York University and other charities as a beneficiary, either as a percentage of your estate or as a specific cash amount. This way, you can invest in future students by helping them reach their goals and full potential.

Charitable donations in your Will can also reduce your taxable estate, potentially reducing taxes for your beneficiaries. Talk to a financial advisor about what this means for you.

Most Canadians are a great fit for Willful, and online Wills make the drafting process easier and more affordable, particularly if your estate is simple and you live in a Canadian province. Willful documents are approved by three law societies (Ontario, BC, and Alberta) and by Estate lawyers in your province so you will enjoy peace of mind knowing your estate plan is legally secure.

However, everyone’s estate planning needs are unique, and Willful’s products may not be right for you. You may benefit from speaking to a lawyer about the way you want to plan your Will and your power of attorney.

Right now, Willful Wills are available to residents of all Canadian provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, PEI, and Nova Scotia.

Click on this link to create your account and receive 20% off your Willful Will: try.willful.co/yorku. Follow step-by-step guided questions to complete your legal Will and power of attorney documents. Your 20% York University discount will be automatically applied to your order at checkout, and you’ll be able to review your documents before paying. If needed, you can easily make changes anytime.

Yes. An online Will made with a trusted platform like Willful is legal in Canada. However, there are some steps that need to be taken for it to meet the criteria for a legal Will in Canada. Each Willful Will comes with detailed instructions for signing and witnessing so you can feel confident that you have a legally valid Will.

Willful’s online Will platform breaks down the estate planning process into simple steps, so you can create your Last Will and Testament and Power of Attorney documents in about 20 minutes or less. Learn more at: try.willful.co/yorku

If you have more complex assets (your own business, or multiple real estate investments) or complex family situations (second marriages with children from previous marriages) you may benefit from speaking to a Wills, Estates and Trusts Law professional. Speak to a lawyer in your region, or if you live in the province of Ontario and need help finding a lawyer visit the Law Society of Ontario.

If you decide to leave a gift to York University in your Will, when your future donation is received, the University will use it towards the needs at that time to make the biggest impact on your behalf. Should you wish to designate your gift for a specific area that is meaningful to you, contact us so that we can help honour your wishes.

Thanks to supporters like you – who value higher education, sustainability, and making a positive change in the world – we are helping future students reach their goals and full potential.

Absolutely. Making a gift by Will is a very personal decision, and you can direct your gift to a specific faculty or program or create a new scholarship, bursary, or fund. If you plan on placing any restrictions on your gift by will, please know so we can help ensure your wishes can be met. Contact us at barlas@yorku.ca and we would be honored to provide you with guidance to determine the best approach and personalized language for your Will.

For all estate matters, please contact Marisa Barlas, Director of Development, Legacy Giving at barlas@yorku.ca or 416-650-8221.

Already included YorkU in your Will?

We would be honored to have the opportunity to thank you personally and recognize your generosity. Please let us know by filling out this Legacy Intention form. Our legacy donors are an integral part of the York community and we’d be pleased to welcome you to our White Rose Legacy Circle, a special group of supporters like you.

Share My York Legacy (PDF)

Do you have more questions? Or would you like to speak to someone about your York University legacy plans, contact Marisa Barlas, Director of Development, Legacy Giving at barlas@yorku.ca or 416-650-8221.

This information on these web pages is general in nature, does not constitute legal or financial advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. We strongly encourage you to seek professional legal, estate planning and/or financial advice before deciding on your course of action.