There are many resources available to assist people in creating their own documents.  However, 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, and he or she can offer some practical ideas and advice to help you think about what is important to you. For example, if you do not appoint an alternate decision-maker in these documents and the named decision-maker cannot act, the documents are void and a court application for guardianship and trusteeship may become necessary. There really is no one size fits all, so good legal advice is a good idea when deciding what’s best for you and your family.