The probate process is when a court declares a will to be valid, and authorizes the named executor to administer the estate. It’s an important step in the estate administration process – but many people may not realize they need to perform this step. The average person is most likely not familiar with estate laws, […]
Taxes are something about which most adults are concerned. It’s no different when it comes to estate planning. An individual who has been tasked with estate administration duties in British Columbia needs to have some knowledge of how RRSPs and RRIFs are taxed after a person’s death. The values of both are usually included in […]
It may be very appealing for one to think about writing one’s own will. But there are many reasons it might not be the best idea. When it comes to writing wills in British Columbia, there are laws to which a testator must adhere and not being aware of what those are could render a […]
Everyone needs estate planning documents. Single British Columbia residents should also have wills and other estate planning documents, but when it comes to choosing an individual for estate administration duties, a single person without children may wonder who to choose for that task. When other family members are too busy with their own lives to […]
Being named as a beneficiary of some estates may not exactly be a windfall. During the estate administration process it may be found that some British Columbia estates are actually insolvent. In other words, they have more debts associated with them than assets and that can pose problems for beneficiaries and executors who should be aware […]
There may be nothing more disturbing or emotionally upsetting to someone than being left out of a loved one’s will, other than the loved one’s passing. For British Columbia residents who believe they’ve somehow been slighted in regard to wills, there is some recourse, but time is of the essence. In many cases, anyone who […]
Estate planning may often be driven less by what an individual has and more in regard for loved ones left behind. Some British Columbia residents may be under the assumption that because they don’t have many assets they don’t need to have wills. Professionals in estate planning say this isn’t the case. It is especially […]
In the busy-ness of life, most people don’t really think about their lives coming to an end, especially younger people. But when it comes to estate planning and wills, British Columbia residents really should pause and consider what it would mean to their loved ones if they died without leaving appropriate documents, especially if they […]
Canadians who choose someone to act on their behalf financially when they can no longer do so need to make the choice wisely. In choosing a person to act on a power of attorney, British Columbia residents will want to make sure the person is trustworthy and has some financial common sense. Fraud is a […]
Even when people pay particular attention when writing estate planning documents, errors may occur. Wills have to be meticulously written and contain no errors, or their validity in British Columbia may come into question. When an executor is confronted with errors in a will, there are a few remedies for him or her. It’s good to […]
Most people go to great lengths to choose an executor they believe they can trust. When British Columbia residents draft their wills choosing an executor who is honest, reliable, astute and has some knowledge of finances is likely a top priority. But even when a testator chooses someone he or she believes can do the […]
When a loved one passes away, there can be a lot more to deal with than people initially realize. Beyond the emotional toll a loss takes on people, which can be overwhelming, there are also numerous financial and legal details to address. If you are the executor or administrator of a person’s estate, you will […]