Cohabitation Agreements: The Basics
Cohabitation agreements can be helpful whenever a property is owned or lived in jointly.
Testamentary Incapacity- Appointing a Committee in BC
Many people beginning their estate plan fail to consider the possibility that they will become intellectually incapable as a result of a degenerative disease, like dementia. For the family of people experiencing degenerative disease, the implications of the illness on…
Varying a Trust: Courts Approving Trust Fund Modifications
In the estate planning process, people commonly use trust accounts to give gifts. They can also create purpose trust accounts, which designate funds for a specific purpose. Some common trust accounts that are made in wills include: Trust accounts made…
BC Court Refuses to Compel Sale of Shared Asset
Many couples own shared assets, and it is not uncommon for couples to hold tenanted investment properties together. When a relationship ends, co-owners must divide the shared assets. This division may necessitate selling the shared assets to split the proceeds.…
Slip and Fall Injury: Who’s Liable for Icy Sidewalk Injuries?
In a recent incident in Burnaby, a man claimed that the owners of a property he had slipped and injured himself on were liable due to their failure to fully clear the sidewalk of snow and ice. Municipalities across BC…
Is a Prenuptial Agreement Really Necessary?
Prenuptial agreements can have many benefits to both partners in a marriage and should be considered as useful tools that help people navigate difficult circumstances successfully.
6 Tips for Estate Executors for Easy Administration
Estate administration can be challenging for named executors, these tips can help ensure that the process goes more smoothly.
Maximizing Estate Value Using Trusts
People often have a particular conception of what their will is going to include before they go to a lawyer to create one. Some people expect the estate planning process to be overwhelming, but most often people underestimate how complex…
When are Beneficiaries Entitled to Receive Interest? The Rule of Convenience
Executors and beneficiaries are often aware of the executor’s year – a common law principle stating that an executor has a year from the testator’s death to finish administering the estate and distribute its assets. During the executor’s year, beneficiaries…
Choosing an Executor: Should You Appoint a Professional?
In some circumstances choosing a professional to be an executor makes the most sense. This can be because the estate is complex, because of family politics, or because there simply isn't anybody suitable available to take on the role.