Posts by Paul Nettleton
Capacity to Make a Will in British Columbia – Strike While the Iron is Hot
People often intend to create or update their will but put it off. This can be risky. Clearly, there is the possibility that one might pass away unexpectedly without creating or updating one’s will. This is not, however, the only risk. There is also the risk that one might lose the capacity to create or…
Read MoreFor Home Buyers: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Did you know that CMHC has important information for the home buyer which includes mortgage insurance details and much more? This includes: Step 1: Is Homeownership Right for You? Step 2: Are You Financially Ready? Step 3: Which Home is Right for You? Step 4: The Buying Process Step 5: Now That You’re a Homeowner…
Read MoreProperty Transfer Tax
Did you know that an important part of calculating closing costs when acquiring an interest in real property, is to understand and allow for Property Transfer Tax? When you purchase or gain an interest in property that is registered at the Land Title Office, you’re responsible for paying property transfer tax. Taxable transactions include: Transfer…
Read MoreKeep your Important Legal Paper Documents Safe!
In this day and age of electronic storage of documents, there are still certain documents the need to be kept in their paper form. Your will and power of attorney are documents that need to be produced in their original form in order to be recognized. Accordingly, they should be stored by you safely. Commonly,…
Read MoreGifting Property Before You Die
The simplest way to dispose of your assets on your death is to gift them to whom you wish to have them before you die. We have all made gifts in our life—birthdays, Christmas, weddings—so we all know what a gift is; it is an unconditional transfer of property to another. As we get in…
Read MoreIs It Better to Rent or Buy?
The choice between buying a home and renting one is among the biggest financial decisions that many adults make. But the costs of buying are more varied and complicated than for renting, making it hard to tell which is a better deal. To help you answer this question, these excellent interactive calculators take the most…
Read MoreProbating a Will
Most people have heard the term “probate” before, but may not have a clear understanding as to what probating a will entails. When a will maker dies with a will and the estate owns assets that require probate in order to be transferred, an order of the court must be obtained. This order is commonly…
Read MoreIndependence of the Legal Profession?
The legal profession in Canada is independent from the state. Each Province has jurisdiction to to enact laws that have has their purpose, the creation of a society that governs the legal profession. In British Columbia The Law Society Of British Columbia is the governing society. The Law Society is overseen by a board of…
Read MoreThe Rule of Law?
I am by no means a scholar, but my practice of law for over 30 years has given me a keen appreciation of how societies that are governed by the rule of law operate. We are fortunate to live in a country where our basic freedoms and rights are protected by law. The law is…
Read MoreWhat’s in a Name?
Our name is the most important manner in which we identify ourselves to others, be they government departments, financial institutions, health care providers, or just casual acquaintances. There is a lot that rides on our name, and consequently using alternate variations of a name for different purposes can create confusion and delay. . . .…
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