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Estate planning is about more than protecting your assets. It ensures your wishes are understood and will be respected when you are no longer able to make decisions. Appointing the right people to assist in this process is critical, which is why you should call our respected law firm and speak with an Abbotsford estate planning lawyer.
A Will is a powerful document that gives you control over who gets how much of your estate, and when. A Will names an executor and assists in giving immediate authority to someone to start managing your estate. You can also appoint a guardian for a minor child or set up a trust for a disabled family member, so they are best taken care of when you pass. It allows you to dictate how your estate is divided, whether it be to a family member, friend, or charity, and enables you to make your wishes clear.
Without a Will, the control and distribution of your estate will be determined by the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA). The rules of intestate succession will be followed for distribution of your estate, and it will not consider friends, charity, or even blended family situations that fall outside of those rules.
Another thing that an estate planning lawyer in Abbotsford can assist with is the probate process. A Grant of Probate is often necessary for an executor to administer a deceased person’s estate. This process can be lengthy and burdensome, but a clear and legally valid estate plan will help avoid any hold-ups and ensure your intentions are respected.
If you ever lose the ability to make decisions about your money and health, you will want to have a document that names someone who can make those decisions for you. A Power of Attorney and a Representation Agreement are documents that allow you to choose who will look after you when you need help, instead of leaving it to fate – or worse, leaving your family unable to support you without court intervention when you need them most.
A Power of Attorney is an estate planning document that names someone you trust to act on your behalf in relation to your personal financial affairs, as well as business, legal, and property affairs. It can give you the comfort of knowing your affairs will be handled according to your wishes even when unexpected situations arise in the future.
A Representation Agreement is essential for making sure that your personal and health care choices are followed when you cannot express them yourself. By choosing someone you have confidence in, your views and wishes about medical interventions and end-of-life care are clearly stated and honoured. It grants legal authority to someone to speak for you and what you want.
Our Abbotsford estate planning lawyers help you with any of these documents. If you don’t have these essential estate planning documents in place, you may face some serious obstacles when a serious medical event occurs, like:
At Zacharias Vickers McCann LLP, we have estate planning lawyers in Abbotsford who are experts that can help you create a professional and optimal estate plan. We can assist with trust options, beneficiary designations, and finding the best ways to support you and your loved ones when you can’t do it yourself. Call us now to begin this important process.
