While there are many resources available to assist people in creating their own documents, it is important to ensure that you are thorough and that all arrangements, including those in your will and those between partners or spouses, all work together. A lawyer is like any other expert, in that he or she can offer some practical ideas and advice and ensure that you think about what is important to you. For example, if you do not appoint an alternate decision maker in these documents, the documents are void if the named person cannot act, and a court application for guardianship and trusteeship may be necessary. There really is no one size fits all, so contact a lawyer to discuss what’s best for you.