Part 2 – Will Variation Claims In our last post we discussed some of the estate planning complications faced by people living in spousal relationships where one or both partners have children from … [Read more...]
Blended Families and Estate Planning
Families in which one or both spouses have children from a previous relationship, known as blended families, present some particularly tricky challenges when it comes to estate planning. They often … [Read more...]
Estate Planning for Minor Children
Some Basic Estate Planning Considerations for Individuals with Minor Children Will Trusts for Minor Children: Why are They Necessary? One of the categories of people we encounter most frequently who … [Read more...]
What Happens if I Die Without a Will?
What happens with someone’s estate if they die without a will? This is a question we are asked regularly, usually by a relative of a deceased individual who does not have a will. This month we will … [Read more...]
Who is in Charge if an Executor Dies Before Completing Administration of an Estate?
Sometimes, an executor dies after beginning, but before completing, administration of an estate. Then, the question arises: who is responsible for completing the administration of the estate? Usually, … [Read more...]
Can an Attorney Sell to Himself Using a Power of Attorney?
When one is appointed as an attorney under a power of attorney document that has been put in place by another individual (the “donor”) and acts as an attorney for the donor, one is acting as a … [Read more...]
Disclosure Requirements under the Property Transfer Tax Act – A Brief Overview
Over the past few years, various levels of government have introduced a variety of information collecting mechanisms in an effort to improve transparency surrounding property ownership and fight … [Read more...]
“When I Die” File
Often people focus on who will be in charge of their estate and who will benefit from it when planning for their eventual passing. Certainly, these are important issues and putting a will in place to … [Read more...]
Disability Benefits and Estate Planning for a Disabled Beneficiary
In British Columbia, if a person over the age of 18 is living with a severe mental or physical impairment, they may qualify for financial assistance under the Employment and Assistance for Persons … [Read more...]
Distributions, Releases, and the Duty to Account
The Trustee Act requires that an executor or administrator of an estate (also known as the “personal representative” of an estate) must provide an accounting of the estate to the beneficiaries (and … [Read more...]