The 21st century is no doubt the technological age. Many legal documents are actually executed online using an electronic signature. But when it comes to wills, it’s not that easy for British Columbia residents. Actually, all Canadians can electronically sign invoices, quotes, proposals, contracts and many other kinds of documents. Wills, however, are another story. […]
People who have worked hard all their lives and have several accounts with sizable assets — like life insurance policies or retirement savings plans — still need to plan their estates. British Columbia residents who have beneficiaries attached to these assets still need to write wills to streamline the process of disseminating specified assets when […]
It’s important to plan for the inevitable. Estate planning should be a part of every adult British Columbia resident’s life, but for many people writing wills is the last thing on their radar. When they do think of it, they might resort to doing it the best way they believe is possible. Some turn to […]
When a person receives the diagnosis of dementia, his or her world changes. There are so many things to consider, especially when the diagnosis is made early on. In British Columbia, it is important for people who have dementia to take action to protect themselves financially and that includes having a power of attorney in […]
Unmarried seniors who have no children or extended family members may have an issue when it comes to their estates. If these British Columbia residents don’t have family, who then will look after their estate administration when it’s a job usually relegated to adult children or some other family member? Naming a corporate executor is […]
The elderly are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. It is especially devastating when the individuals who are taking advantage of seniors are the very people seniors most trust. A power of attorney is a very powerful document in British Columbia that grants a great amount of authority to an individual or individuals […]
Planning a well-rounded, legally sound estate goes a long way to keeping the peace in the family. By the same token, estate plans in British Columbia with wills that are poorly written and unclear may cause family angst that need not have happened, especially when there is a lot of stake. The last thing anyone would […]
If you agree to serve as the executor of someone’s estate, it means taking on immense responsibility. If a friend or family member appointed you to this position in his or her will, it may be to your benefit to carefully consider whether you wish to take on this role now that the individual has […]
Where there is a will, there is a way. And when the person named in a will to be the executor cannot take on the task of estate administration in British Columbia (nor can an intestate successor or beneficiary or any other person), the province may step in and appoint a public guardian and trustee (PGT) who may […]
It’s something parents never want to think about, yet must when doing what’s best for their children. Choosing a guardian for minor children in the event of their deaths is a difficult, yet unconditionally loving thing British Columbia parents can do for their kids by way of their wills. Parents want their children to be […]
When naming people to act in authoritative positions in estate planning, no one is likely to choose someone he or she thinks can’t be trusted. But, sometimes even the best laid plans go astray and some executors of wills in British Columbia may turn out to be less than honest. An executor is supposed to […]
An Angus Reid poll this year shows that half of all Canadians don’t have a will. People in British Columbia are busy living, and no one wants to think about being incapacitated or about their own deaths. Yet, wills are such an important component of an all-encompassing estate plan in Canada ,and taking the time to […]