The top reasons for preparing a will: % reported: Ensuring their assets are distributed as they wished, Avoiding family problems once they have passed away, Protecting and looking after their family

Motivation for updating will - % reported: A significant change in wealth, A change in a beneficiary's marital status, A death in the immediate family, A birth in the immediate family

% of respondents who have a will also have a power of attorney, % have a power of attorney for their finances, % have one in place to deal with potential issues arising from failing health

% of Boomers have spoken to their children/beneficiaries about the contents in their will, % of wills addressed distribution of wealth, appointment of an executor [executor of an estate], distribution of personal items

% mistakenly thought they needed to adopt the deceased's pets.

% thought it would take between 6-12 months to complete the tasks the executor role requires, % though more than a year, The top three choices to describe the experience of being an executor

% of boomers said they would feel honoured to be named an executor, % said they would feel nervous or intimidated, % said they would feel confident, % of boomers said they would choose a family member as the executor of their wills, % would choose a professional (lawyer, trust company)

% indicate that, if they chose to decline the role of executor, they would decline based on the grounds that 'they didn't feel they had an understanding of or the knowledge to carry out all that is required.' % would decline on the grounds that they live in a different province or country. [executor of an estate]

% of Canadians without a will say they are very or somewhat likely to write out their wills in the upcoming year, Of those who do not have a will.

% have thought about who they would appoint as an executor, % choose spouse/partner as executor, % choose children, sibling, another family member, family friend.