Many people these days are taking steps to plan for the end of their lives. Part of the planning process includes getting a will, and in British Columbia it’s especially important to have the right documents in place. Unlike in some provinces — Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia for exanple — living wills, which spell out end-of-life instructions, […]
The elderly are often prime targets to take advantage of, so they need to have protection from being potential prey to unscrupulous financial abusers. British Columbia’s aging citizens become more vulnerable to financial abuse the older they get. However, there are safeguards these trusting souls can put into place to prevent a financial disaster, one […]
When a parent dies, there are many uncomfortable things an adult child must endure. The loved one may have suffered through a long illness that was difficult to watch, or the funeral may have been particularly emotional. Before the dust even settles, however, the matters of estate and probate administration begin, including some of the […]
When most people in British Columbia think about estate planning, they probably focus on what will happen to their assets after they pass away. Some especially astute men and women may also recognize the value of granting power of attorney to a trusted loved one in case they lose the ability to make decisions for […]
For nearly every task imaginable there is a professional one can hire to get the job done. Although some people prefer a do-it-yourself approach to life, there are some jobs best left to those with proper skills and training. The writing of wills is a great example; it is possible to make one’s own will, […]
As some people age, they become increasingly reliant on others to look after them. In the absence of close family, some may turn to paid caregivers. There are those who abuse their positions of trust, unfortunately, and prey upon the senior citizens who put their trust in them. A story unfolding in another province may serve […]
Complicated family dynamics can sometimes undo even seemingly thorough estate planning. Those who leave wills, trusts and more for the distribution of their estates, likely go to their final rests believing the way is clear for their heirs to benefit from their hard work. Sadly, this is not always the case. A celebrity case taking place […]
Planning for the future means being proactive instead of reactive. For many people, this is difficult to do. Barring an unfortunate incident, however, the fact is everyone grows old and preparing for that inevitability makes good sense. Writing a will and setting up a power of attorney are excellent examples. Unfortunately, many people in British […]
In this age of modern conveniences, the concept of “set it and forget it” is familiar to most. People expect to be able to prepare something once, and then let it be. While this may work with PVRs, the same cannot be said for wills. Making a will is a very good idea for any […]
Many people come and go during a lifetime, but some special ones will remain. When thinking about estate planning, it may be that a person wants to leave a gift for a special someone in his or her life but feels it’s best to make the bequest a secret. Can wills be used to transfer assets […]
It isn’t always easy to know who to trust. However, hopefully by the time a person is old enough to think seriously about writing a will, one will have ongoing relationships with people who are concerned with one’s best interests. From that pool of people, a person writing a will in British Columbia must choose […]
If one is named as executor of an estate, a potentially complex process is about to unfold during one of the most emotional times in anyone’s life. Handling probate and estate administration in British Columbia is not an easy task even at the best of times. If it were possible to largely eliminate the need […]