Trust accounts are a common and useful estate planning tool – accounts where a third party holds an asset for the specific use of a beneficiary. Typically, the beneficiary is only able to withdraw funds (or other property) from the…
As a beneficiary of a will, it can be frustrating to sit helplessly waiting while the will’s executor fails to administer the estate as expected. Unfortunately, executors sometimes cause intentional delays, are incompetent in their administration, or even abuse their…
The executor of a will has a handful of responsibilities when administering an estate – including accounting for all estate assets, debts, and money exchanges coming into and out of the estate. When the executor is finished the administration process…
It is settled law in British Columbia that estate executors are entitled to remuneration for their work in administering an estate or executors fees. In fact, this was restated by the Supreme Court of Canada in Cowper-Smith v Morgan, a…
In British Columbia, will writers have many estate planning tools at their disposal to create a plan that suits their individual needs best. In previous articles, we’ve discussed many tools which will writers can use to their advantage. However, large…
The Supreme Court of British Columbia is set to hear an illegal disinheritance case which has made quite a stir in the news. Sisters Frances Graham and Stephanie Kennery have claimed against their siblings, Lisa Turnbull and Matthew Lawruk over…
In British Columbia, will writers have many tools at their disposal to structure their estate in ways that best suit them and their beneficiaries. In previous articles, we’ve covered the basics on estate strategy including inter-vivos gifting and the use…
When a loved one passes away unexpectedly, family and friends may be left with no idea who responsible for planning the funeral, or how the deceased would have wanted it to be arranged. As a general rule of thumb, the…
With the world quickly becoming more and more digital, people are constantly looking for new ways to go paperless. For many documents and papers, it’s easy and safe to keep a copy on your computer, phone, or in 'the cloud'.…
