Writing a will? Time to update a will? We can help

In Alberta, there are three recommended documents for basic estate planning for any person who is at least 18 years of age:

1. Last Will and Testament (Will)
2. Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)
3. Personal Directive (PD)

In a nutshell, a Will provides direction as to how a person’s assets will be distributed upon his or her demise. Unlike a Will, which takes effect when a person passes away, an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) and a Personal Directive (PD) allows a person to appoint his or her “Attorney” or “Agent” to make financial decisions, usually, after a declaration is obtained of mental incapacity due to an illness or accident.

At Edmonton Law Office, we believe in the value of proper basic estate planning. This is why at the onset, we offer a basic estate package for a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and Personal Directive, all of these three documents, at a very reasonable rate. We are very cognizant that most of the time, people call our office to inquire about making a Will only. When we receive inquiries about “Wills”, we take it as an opportunity to educate people that while a Will is indeed very important, the Enduring Power of Attorney and Personal Directive are equally or even more important because these documents are crucial as they become effective while a person is still alive but lacks the mental capacity to make personal and financial decisions for themselves.

Planning for the future with one of our experienced Alberta Estate Lawyers is a key part of being in control of what choices will be made on your behalf, especially with regard to how you want to be cared for, as well as the distribution of your estate to your family. At the Edmonton Law Office, we are mindful of the importance of having an estate plan in order sooner rather than later, and we will help you plan and prevent its more costly alternatives.

Note: The preparation of these documents does not have to be complicated. You can avoid the time-consuming and costly mistake of delaying the preparation of these estate planning documents, i.e. Last Will, Enduring Power of Attorney, and Personal Directive.

The help you can get from Edmonton Law Office

• Our Estate Planning Lawyers can help you plan your estate, whether you require us to draft your Will or Codicil, Enduring Power of Attorney, or Personal Directive; or
• Our Alberta Estate Planning Lawyers can also help you with your Trusteeship and Guardianship applications, starting from the preparation of your application, affidavits, plans for caring for the represented adult, submission of your applications, and correspondence with the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, as well as the Surrogate Court; or
• Our Probate Lawyers can help you obtain a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Estate Administration. We have helped many Personal Representatives (formerly Executors/Executrix) to administer an estate after someone passed away with or without a Will. We are here to help with the following, which is not intended to be an exhaustive list: court forms, identification of assets and liabilities, preparation of inventories, correspondence, filing of documents, serving notices, and Probate/Estate Administration Grant Applications.

We know these proceedings can be overwhelming and understand the complexities involved. Contact our office, and we will guide you and your family through the process.