Learning Centre
How to Choose an Executor in BC
An executor is an important role that manages the estate of a deceased person. The role of the executor includes distributing assets, settling debts, attending probate, registering a death certificate, managing the memorial service, and more. An executor should be...
Difference Between a Power of Attorney and a Will
Writing a Will and drawing up a Power of Attorney document provides you with coverage you need for your legal and financial affairs. While there are some similarities between the two, they are not the same. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference...
Why is it Important to Have a Will?
Writing and authorizing a will is essential if you want authority over the distribution of assets, who acts as the executor, and guardianship of loved ones. However, many people neglect writing a will because it appears scary and not urgent. Over 55% of adults in BC...
Why You Need Professional Help to Write a Will
It’s an unfortunate fact that roughly half of the people in British Columbia do not have a Will. However, if you have any assets and/or if you have children, you should have a Will. Many people think they need a simple Will and try to write it themselves. Writing your...
Are Wills a Matter of Public Record in Canada?
A Will is a document that specifies the distribution of a person's estate after they die. If you do not have a Will, your estate may be distributed according to Canadian intestacy laws. In most cases, Wills are a matter of public record, and anyone can access them...
What Issues Can Make a Canadian Will Invalid?
At Zancope Notary, we advocate for all eligible Canadian citizens to draft a valid Will. A Will is the only way to ensure an estate is divided according to someone’s wishes after his or her passing. However, there are a wealth of reasons why a Canadian Will may be...
Title Transfer in BC: Joint Tenancy and Estate Planning
I have talked about title transfers in BC: How to Add or Remove Names on a Property Title before, you can read it here, but I want to bring a different aspect of a family transfer – Estate Planning. Many people own property or bank accounts sole in their names and...
What Are the Components of a Canadian Will?
Most people assume that writing a Will is for the elderly, but this could not be more misleading. We recommend writing a Will as soon as you are an adult because you never know when you are going to need it. Creating a Will is fairly straightforward and can ease a lot...
Why “Will Preparation Procrastination” Can Have Disastrous Consequences
The process of preparing and writing a Will can be daunting. Not only because clients think the process is complicated and emotionally taxing. But also, because people find writing a will constitutes something existential; an acknowledgment that we will not always be...
Why a Will Is Important at Any Age
A Will is important for everyone to have at any age. If one dies without a will, that is called dying “intestate,” and there are laws (WESA) that govern what will happen to any of your assets or minor children, but how it plays out may not be what you want or intend....