Learning Centre

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....

What Is a Representation Agreement, and How Can a British Columbia Notary Help
Whether or not it’s nice to admit, aging and accidents are an inevitable part of life. The best one can do is to be prepared, and a little bit of foresight and proactive planning can save one’s family members from having to spend a lot of money to be able to...

Resolutions to Get Your Estate in Order
While many often have extravagant plans as part of their new year’s resolutions, few take the new year as an opportunity to get their estate in order. However, leaving your will preparations untouched could put your loved ones in a stressful situation if anything were...

What’s the Difference Between an Apostille and a Document of Legalization?
Getting a document notarized for a foreign country's approval will require an apostille or a certificate of legalization. These certificates are needed for matters of documents generated in one country to be used for legal purposes in another country. Some of these...

Can Your Notary Help With Refinancing?
Reasons for Refinancing There are many reasons for refinancing a home. Some common reasons include getting a better rate, changing the terms of the mortgage, consolidating debt, shortening the length of the mortgage, or raising some extra capital to finance something...

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Will Changes?
There are many good reasons for changing or updating your Will. Here are the most common reasons that we run across. Changes in Legislation Here in British Columbia, Canada, we had a major change in legislation back in 2014. Anyone who had a Will done prior to that...

What’s Involved in Conveyancing Property, and What Documents Are Involved/Required?
To be well informed is a great way to save money. More so when it comes to the world of real estate, where knowledge, or lack thereof, can make or break a deal. Luckily, a diligent notary is usually employed to help in the process, but it never hurts to familiarize...