Another leading case by our estates team: Court Confirms Multiple Wills for Business Owners
We recently acted in the first BC court case to confirm that multiple wills may be used to reduce probate taxes for business owners. We ... Continued
Legacy donors: Joan and Tom Webster
Many British Columbians do not have a will. According to a 2014 report for BC Notaries, just 55% of us have a signed, legally valid and up-to-date will. ... Continued
Leaving a legacy: Loran and Carol
For Loran and Carol Wright, charitable giving isn’t a conscious decision—it’s an ingrained act that is as natural as breathing. They have early memories of ... Continued
Is it too hard to pick an executor?
Choosing an executor can be a difficult decision. The job of an executor is challenging and time-consuming, and you may not wish to burden a ... Continued
Don’t need a will? Wait! Answer this question…
If you have decided that you don’t need a will either because: You have named beneficiaries on your life insurance, your registered products, such as ... Continued
Trial by fire!
Amy Mortimore and Mark Weintraub, Q.C., will be chairing the Trial Lawyers Association’s professional development seminar on estate litigation on April 7, 2017. Taking an ... Continued
Probating a USA Will and BC Assets
Obtaining a grant of probate from the BC court provides assurance for anyone dealing with an estate that the deceased’s will is legally valid and ... Continued
The law on out of province Litigation Guardians in BC
Under the BC Supreme Court Civil Rules (“SCCR”) a proceeding brought by or against a person under legal disability must be started or defended by ... Continued
Which Jurisdiction’s laws will govern your estate?
Introduction In our globalized world, it is not uncommon for people to own property or have residences in multiple jurisdictions. The international aspect of a ... Continued
Case Comment – S.A. v MVHC, 2017 BCCA 2
This case provided rulings on a few key issues: Is an interest in a discretionary trust an asset? Yes. The interest has no legal value ... Continued
Executor Granted Disclosure of Legal Advice Given to Deceased Will-maker
Solicitor-client privilege is a legal principle that protects, or “privileges”, communications that involve the provision of legal advice between a lawyer and their client, and ... Continued
Court Rejects Disinheritance of Children based on “Invalid” Reasons
“Testamentary freedom” is the notion that a will-maker (or “testator”) is entitled to divide her property upon death however, and to whoever, he or she ... Continued