Estate Planning Made Simple: Protect Your Legacy and Care for Your Loved Ones

Life is unpredictable, and planning ahead is one of the most thoughtful ways to protect the people you care about. Estate planning isn’t just for the later years of life—it’s an essential step that every adult should take to ensure their wishes are respected and their family avoids unnecessary stress in the future. At our Edmonton law firm, we simplify estate planning to make it straightforward and stress-free, guiding you through every step of the process.

Why Plan Your Estate Now?
Too often, people delay estate planning, assuming they have plenty of time. But unexpected events like accidents, illness, or sudden changes can happen at any stage of life. By preparing your estate plan now, you ensure your loved ones won’t face confusion or legal challenges during difficult times. It’s about taking control of your future and providing peace of mind for yourself and your family.

Essential Documents for a Complete Estate Plan

1. Last Will and Testament: The Foundation of Your Plan
   Your will is the most important document in your estate plan. It allows you to:

• Decide how your assets, such as money, property, or personal items, will be distributed after your passing.

• Name guardians to care for your children if needed.

• Appoint an executor to carry out your instructions.

Without a will, provincial laws will decide how your estate is handled, which might not reflect your wishes. We’ll help you create a clear, personalized will to ensure everything is managed according to your intentions.

1. Power of Attorney: Managing Finances and Legal Matters
   A Power of Attorney gives someone you trust the authority to manage your financial and legal affairs if you’re unable to. For example, if you’re hospitalized or unable to make decisions, this document ensures your bills are paid, your property is managed, and important financial matters are handled without delay.

2. Personal Directive: Making Health and Personal Care Decisions
   A Personal Directive allows you to name someone to make healthcare and personal decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself. This could include decisions about medical treatments, living arrangements, or day-to-day care. It’s a way to ensure your personal values and preferences are respected, even in challenging situations.

Professional Probate Services: Supporting Executors Through a Challenging Time

Navigating the probate process can feel overwhelming, especially during an already emotional time. As experienced probate lawyers in Alberta, we are here to provide you with clear guidance and expert support, helping to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. Over the years, we’ve assisted countless executors both within and outside Alberta and are prepared to assist you no matter where you reside.

How We Assist Executors

In Alberta, the term "personal representative" refers to executors, administrators, and judicial trustees responsible for managing an estate. As your probate lawyers, we provide the following services:

1. Assessing Probate Needs:
   We review the will and the circumstances surrounding the estate to determine whether probate is required.

2. Expert Guidance:
   We advise you on all legal and practical matters connected with the administration of the estate, ensuring you fully understand your responsibilities.

3. Court Applications:
   We prepare and submit the necessary application to the Alberta Court of King’s Bench (Surrogate Matters) for your formal appointment as the personal representative of the estate. We also work to secure the grant of probate or administration.

4. Estate Distribution:
   We assist in distributing the deceased’s assets to the beneficiaries as outlined in the will or according to Alberta law.

5. Finalizing the Estate:
   We draft and prepare release documents for the beneficiaries to confirm that the estate administration is complete.

Our Fee Structure

The Law Society of Alberta provides suggested guidelines for probate lawyers' fees, which typically involve a base fee plus a percentage of the estate's value. However, we take a different approach.

Fees should reflect the complexity of the work, not just the size of the estate. Larger estates can sometimes be simple to manage, while smaller estates may involve more complexities. Our fee structure is based on the actual work required, which often makes our services more affordable—sometimes significantly so—compared to standard guidelines.