Benefits of Having a Will: Why writing a Will is Worthwhile
Will-writing, estate planning, estate administration, probate, trust funds, inheritances – the list of things for will-writers to consider goes on and on. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the benefits of having an updated and valid…
Holograph Wills: A Will With No Witnesses Being Valid
In BC, there are strict rules that govern when a will can be deemed a valid will. Wills must be (1) in writing, (2) signed and (3) witnessed by two or more people. When the testator’s intentions are clear, courts…
Estate Planning Tips: Creating the Perfect Estate Plan
It’s important that estate planners create detailed plans that they're happy with before they pass away. Estate planning goes well beyond simply writing a will, and it’s easy to forget about important pieces of a complete estate plan. In this…
Storing a Will Electronically: Good or Bad Idea?
With the world quickly becoming more and more digital, people are constantly looking for new ways to go paperless. For many documents, it’s easy and safe to keep a copy on your computer, phone, or in 'the cloud'. These methods…
Testamentary Capacity: How Capacity to Write a Will is Assessed
To write a valid will in BC, the writer must have testamentary capacity at the time of writing the will. As described in the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, someone with testamentary capacity is defined as a “person who is…
Keeping Bequests Out of In-Law’s Hands
It's very common for parents to be concerned about how their children will use their inheritances and many worry about assets falling outside of the family - often as a result of subsequent divorce or separation of the child. For…
Ethical Wills: Your Legacy Estate Plan
Often people are aware of what a last will and testament is – legal bequests for how they wish for their estate to be distributed to loved ones upon their passing. Another type of will is the living will –…
In Terrorem Clauses: Preventing Estate Litigation in Your Will
Sometimes, will writers are aware that a gift in their will is going to cause conflict between loved ones and could lead to litigation after their passing. Will writers can create an in terrorem clause to help prevent legal conflict…
Strategies to Maximize Your Estate’s Value
In BC, most will-writers should expect to have their will go through the probate process. This is a process where the courts verify that the will is real and legally valid. When a will goes through probate, the estate must…