Legal services
Wills and Estate Planning in Burnaby
A will is easier to prepare when the decisions are made before the drafting appointment. Who should manage the estate? Who should receive property? What happens if a chosen person dies first?
Start with people and property
Make a family list and note anyone who depends on you. Then prepare a broad inventory: real estate, bank and investment accounts, insurance, pensions, private-company interests, valuable personal property and significant debts. Exact balances help, but the first goal is completeness.
Choosing an executor is a practical decision. Consider reliability, location, ability to handle records and whether conflict is likely. Ask alternates as well.
Signing requirements are part of the plan
A clear draft is not an effective will until it is signed according to applicable law. Witness choice, capacity and the circumstances around instructions can become important later. Store the original where it can be found and tell the executor how to locate it.
Review the plan after major changes. Beneficiary designations, jointly held property and corporate arrangements can interact with the will, so the estate should be considered as a whole.
Questions people often ask
What should I gather before discussing a will?
Begin with the documents closest to the event and put them in date order. Include agreements, notices, correspondence, payment records and any deadline already provided. A shorter, organized record is usually more useful than an unexplained folder of files.
Does reading this page create a lawyer-client relationship?
No. This website provides general legal information. Advice depends on the facts, the applicable law and the documents in an individual matter.