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 […]
Wills can stir up all kinds of emotions, and some of them are not very nice. When British Columbia residents who have expected to be named in wills find that they have been left out, there may be feelings of anger, hurt and resentment. But even though challenging a will can be costly and nerve-wracking, more Canadians […]
Those who have been called to administer the estate of a deceased person should know about clearance certificates. Estate administration in British Columbia means the executor or trustee has been given the duties of making sure certain things take place like the payment of taxes, paying debts and ensuring beneficiaries receive their inheritances. A clearance […]
Shock, disappointment and confusion may be just a few of the emotions you felt when you learned that your loved one’s will was not what you expected. In fact, perhaps you had seen your parent’s will, and the contents of the will discovered after his or her death was not the same as the one […]
Power of attorney is commonly referenced when discussing estate matters but it’s a topic that can cause confusion. More often than not, a power of attorney gives another person the authority to act on your behalf regarding financial matters should you become incapacitated. Like having power of attorney, a representation agreement allows for another person […]
In British Columbia, patients who are nearing the natural end of their lives or suffer from a life-limiting or life threatening illness have the right to create a No Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (No CPR) form. The main purpose of the form is to inform first responders and health care providers that in the event of sudden […]
Nowadays, there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ family which is something to be celebrated. Having the freedom to decide how to live with the people you love is a wonderful thing. That being said, navigating estate planning can become increasingly complicated when a testator has previously been married or is part of a […]