As any lawyer in Canada will no doubt tell you, planning your own estate can wind up causing you a lot of stress and heartache and take up a lot more of your time than you would want. But at the same time, there is nothing to stop you from going ahead and planning your own estate. So what should you do?
What does estate planning involve?
Basically, if you haven’t sought help from a will executor in Alberta to put an up-to-date will in place, your estate could end up being designated to those who have an interest in it, in accordance with current legislation. Would you want this to happen? Probably not. So what can you do to stop this from happening?
Plan your estate by creating a will with help from a local lawyer so that your intentions in relation to your estate (everything that you leave behind when you pass) are set in stone and can be acted upon in the event of your death. When you do this, you can save yourself a lot of money in fees and taxes and, of course, ensure that your estate is divided exactly how you want it to be.
What happens when it’s time to administer an estate?
When a person dies and it’s time for loved ones and family members to administer their estate, it can feel like a very lonely time. Not only can the process be emotionally painful, but it can also be complex and overwhelming.
Fortunately, hiring professional legal representation can make things go a lot smoother and reduce the stress that this particular event may be causing you. Some of the issues a lawyer can help you tackle when administering an estate include the following:
- Applying for administration or probate grants
- Managing trusts
- Locating and preserving assets
- Passing accounts
- Gaining guidance from the court
- Helping to manage conflicts of interest
What is estate litigation?
Unfortunately, in many instances, estates can get a bit messy, and the consequences of arguments and disagreements between beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries can make it an emotionally charged time. Should disputes arise when you’re attempting to administer a deceased loved one’s estate, having an experienced estate litigator on your side can prove invaluable. To use their skill and judgement to advocate for your rights and your interests when disputes arise, they can help with the following:
- Validating or contesting a will
- Determining the capacity of a testator
- Improper discharge of a personal representative’s duties
- Adult interdependent partner and spousal claims
- Undue influence and unconscionable procurement
Whatever the issue with planning your estate or dealing with someone else’s, having expert guidance and counsel from an estate lawyer in Alberta can soften the blow and ease the burden on your shoulders.
Often having decades of experience in all matters related to wills and estates and the solving of legal disputes, estate lawyers will work hard to help you formulate a will, plan your estate, or deal with any issues you may be experiencing in the administration of a deceased person’s estate.
