The recent BC Court of Appeal case of Tom v. Tang (2023) demonstrated again that BC Courts are willing to change the contents of a will under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA). In this blog, we'll cover the…
Upon an individual's death, estate administration commences, and the executor undertakes the task of distributing assets to beneficiaries as per the deceased's will. When the deceased has an interest in a private corporation, handling shares differs from managing simpler assets…
It’s not uncommon for a will-writer to want to make a modification to an outdated will that they’ve written years ago. Often times, will-writers only want to make small changes to their will – maybe changing a single sentence in…
The family vacation home is a place where some of us have our fondest memories. A vacation home can be a special place where people look forward to their next visit all year long. Vacation home owners often find it…
As one grows older or gains dependants, it’s common to begin thinking about purchasing life insurance to ensure their loved ones are properly provided for in the event of an expected death. Aside from the obvious benefit of a pay-out…
Sadly, children are sometimes born after one of their parents passes away – a posthumous birth or after-born child. In other cases, babies can be conceived well after one of their parents has passed away because of current and advancing…
When someone dies, it often leaves their loved ones wondering about how they should start administering the estate. If the deceased leaves a will, the courts need to verify its validity. If the deceased didn’t write a will, the courts…
Many people opt to leave a portion of their estate to charities or local projects in their will. Unfortunately, it’s equally common for people to neglect updating their wills to reflect changes in their lives and assets. This can lead…
It's becoming increasingly common for Canadians to hold assets overseas. Often, they are dual citizens who moved to Canada and still hold family assets in another country, snowbirds who own a vacation house abroad, or Canadian international students who have…
People often hold onto their assets until death, giving them to loved ones, friends, and charities through a will. Though will writers commonly retain possession of their assets until passing, they should consider gifting cash or other assets before death.…
