1. Home
  2. Westlaw Classic
  3. Estates&TrustsSource Build-a-Will FAQs

Estates&TrustsSource Build-a-Will

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Contents

What is the change?
Histrop’s Build-a-Will (“Build-a-Will”) on WestlawNext Canada, which is currently available on the DraftingSource platform (the “old platform”), is launching on Contract Express (the “new platform”).

Back to top

What is Contract Express?
Contract Express is a web-based document automation solution from Thomson Reuters that allows customers to quickly generate a document by completing a questionnaire.

Back to top

Why is Build-a-Will launching on a new platform?
The new platform will provide Build-a-Will customers with an enhanced user experience. It is an intuitive and easy to use platform, with the capacity to support future upgrades and enhancements to Build-a-Will that would not be possible on the old platform.  Additional details about the improvements to Build-a-Will functionality will be communicated in the coming weeks.

Back to top

Who will be impacted by the Build-a-Will upgrade to the new platform?
All Estates&TrustsSource subscribers will benefit from the upgrade of the Build-a-Will platform.

Back to top

Will there be any interruption to my Build-a-Will access?
No. Estates&TrustsSource subscribers will gain access to the new platform without any service interruption.  Between July 22, 2020 and August 14, 2020, Estates&TrustsSource subscribers will have access to both platforms.

Back to top

What will happen to the documents and information that I have saved on the old Build-a-Will platform?
You will lose access to all client data, documents, and templates saved on the old Build-a-Will platform on August 14, 2020, when access to that platform is discontinued.  Accordingly, all information that you wish to retain should be downloaded prior to August 14, 2020.  You will be contacted directly by a Thomson Reuters representative prior to this date if you have information saved on the old Build-a-Will platform.

Back to top

What can I download from the old platform?
It is recommended that you download and save all information that you wish to retain from the old platform, before August 14, 2020. Items available for download that you may wish to retain include:

  • The form questions for all five will templates;
  • Completed wills; and
  • Partially completed wills.

You will not be able to download client information or saved templates. However, you can build and download a blank will from a saved template and retain your pre-selected clauses that way.

It is recommended that you complete all wills in progress, then download them, in order to avoid the need to start from scratch in the new platform.

Back to top

How can I download wills that I have created in the old platform?
To download partially completed or completed wills that you have created in the old platform, click into “Client/Matter Manager” on the top right-hand corner of the home screen.

Once you’re in the “Client/Matter Manager” select the completed or partially completed will that you would like to download, then select “Build”.  Once you select build you will have the option to “Review Prior Answers” then download the document as a Word file.

All partially completed and completed wills must be downloaded prior to August 14, 2020.  After August 14, 2020 you will lose access to all information saved on the old platform.

Back to top

What can I do with the files that I download from the old platform?
All the documents that you download from the old platform will be for your records only.

Back to top

When is Build-a-Will launching on the new platform? How will I gain access?
Starting July 22, 2020, Build-a-Will will be available on the new platform. Estates&TrustsSource subscribers will be able to access Build-a-Will on Contract Express through a new “Build-a-Will on Contract Express” link within the Estates&TrustsSource page.  Clicking on the link will bring you directly to Build-a-Will on the new platform.

You can continue to access the old Build-a-Will platform until August 14, 2020, through the current “Build-a-Will on DraftingSource” link within the Estates&TrustsSource page, or by logging onto DraftingSource, directly.

Between July 22, 2020 and August 14, 2020, you will have access to both platforms. After August 14, 2020, Build-a-Will will no longer be available on the old platform, which means the “Build-a-Will on DraftingSource” link will not appear on the Estates&TrustsSource page.

Back to top

Once I’m in Build-a-Will, how do I get back to Estates&TrustsSource?
When you click into “Build-a-Will on Contract Express” a new browser tab will open, and your Estates&TrustsSource window remains.  If you wish to return to Estates&TrustsSource you can navigate back to that browser tab if you have kept it open.

Back to top

Does Build-a-Will on the new platform automatically sign out a customer after an extended period of inactivity?
No, Build-a-Will on the new platform will remain active until the browser is closed or a user signs out.   When accessing Build-a-Will on devices that are shared or left unattended it is recommended that you sign out or close the browser when you are finished using the platform, for security reasons.

Back to top

How will I gain access to Build-a-Will if I don’t have a Contract Express account?Estates&TrustsSource subscribers will not require additional log-in credentials to access Build-a-Will on the new platform.  You will be automatically redirected to Build-a-Will on Contract Express when you click the link on the Estates&TrustsSource page. This is consistent with the current experience when accessing the old Build-a-Will platform. No additional log-in information is required.

Back to top

What if I already have Contract Express?
Current Contract Express subscribers will require an Estates&TrustsSource subscription to access Build-a-Will on Contract Express.  Even if you have both Contract Express and an Estates&TrustsSource subscription, you will only be able to access Build-a-Will content through the Estates&TrustsSource page.

Current Contract Express customers will continue to access existing content separately on the Contract Express platform.

Back to top

How will Build-a-Will interact with other parts of Contract Express?
The Build-a-Will experience on Contract Express is limited to Build-a-Will forms. Contract Express subscribers will need to sign in separately to access that service.

Back to top

Once I have access to Build-a-Will on the new platform, how can I create a will?
You will be able to draft wills immediately upon gaining access to the new platform.  In order to begin building a will, select “Documents” from the homepage:

Then “New Document”:

And last, the will template that you wish to edit:

Back to top

What training for Build-a-Will on the new platform will be provided?
We will work with you to ensure a smooth transition to the new Build-a-Will platform. Training will be part of that process. Training materials including FAQs and instructional videos will be available for you at our Customer Learning Centre. Depending on the needs of your account, you may be contacted directly by a Thomson Reuters trainer to arrange in-person training sessions and/or webinars.

Back to top

Will I be able to create templates on the new platform?
It will not be possible to create custom templates on the new Build-a-Will platform.  However, you can build a Document with a specific selection of clauses and leave the fields blank.  When you want to create a will using the same set of clauses, you can “Clone” the document and populate it with client specific data if you are using the same precedent type i.e. single will.

Back to top

Who can I share documents with?
Documents can be shared between individuals, based on OnePass ID, who are both a) within the same firm/organization and b) Estates&TrustsSource subscribers.  The “Access Level” for shared documents can be set at “None”, “Read”, “Write” or “Full”.

Back to top

Is there a limit to how many documents and matters I can create?
No, there are no limits to how many documents and matters that you can create.  However, it is recommended that you save all completed wills outside of the Build-a-Will platform.

Back to top

Will the Build-a-Will platform upgrade impact my pricing or subscription to Estates&TrustsSource
No.  The Build-a-Will platform upgrade will not impact pricing or subscriptions for Estates&TrustsSource subscribers.

Back to top

Will the Build-a-Will platform upgrade impact the Build-a-Will content
No.  The Build-a-Will platform upgrade will not impact the Build-a-Will content, which will continue to reflect Estate Planning Precedents by Lindsay Ann Histrop.  However, the templates in the new platform have been consolidated, as outlined below.

Old Platform

New Platform

Wife

Wife and Husband

Husband

Single

Single

Domestic Partner #1

Same-Sex Spouse – Domestic Partner 1 and 2

Domestic Partner #2

Back to top

How will I know if the precedents are up to date?
Build-a-Will precedents will be updated in accordance with Lindsay Histrop’s Estate Planning Precedents in print.  The currency is reflected in the scope note available for each precedent.  The scope information is displayed every time you start a New Document.

Back to top

What are Editors’ Notes? What are Drafting Notes?
Throughout the will precedents, there are “Editors' Notes” which are designed to draw the attention of the draftsman to relevant issues. The editors' notes are not intended, however, to be an exhaustive annotation to the precedents. Rather, it is assumed that the draftsman is using the precedents with a prior understanding of will drafting principles. Drafting Notes are Editors’ Notes that pertain to a particular clause.