The deceased’s Will is often the primary source of information about beneficiaries. Personal records such as address books and digital contacts offer potential leads, as well as online searches and social media platforms. Financial institutions can also provide clues, as beneficiaries are often linked to accounts and investments. Furthermore, the beneficiaries’ family and friends may […]
Locating and accessing the deceased person’s assets starts with gathering documents such as the Will and financial records. Sometimes, all of these assets and where they can be found will be listed in the Will. However, many Wills simply reveal how the value of the estate will be divided, or only list a few selected […]
An executor is a person named in a Will to deal with the Will-maker’s estate after they die. They must gather up the estate assets, pay the debts of the deceased, and divide what remains of the deceased’s estate among the beneficiaries. As an executor, your duties are multifaceted. The executor of a Will has […]
In British Columbia, a common question is accessibility to a company’s list of shareholders (actually called the “central securities register”). This article will explore who can request this information and the necessary steps to obtain it. Accessing Shareholder Information: Who Can Request? The first question that arises is: who has the right to request a […]
What do you do if you have made a Will, but you have changed your mind and you want to revoke it? You have a few options to revoke a valid Will. You may choose to make a new valid Will that contains a clause that revokes all previous Wills. You also may burn the […]
Section 38 of the British Columbia Power of Attorney Act provides that a POA “made in a jurisdiction outside British Columbia” may be deemed to be an enduring power of attorney if it meets certain requirements set out in Regulations, s. 4. In order for a legal document that was made in a jurisdiction other […]
The POA is terminated when the attorney: (1) Is the adult’s spouse and their marriage or marriage-like relationship ends; (2) Becomes incapable or dies; (3) Is bankrupt; (4) Is a corporation and the corporation dissolves, winds up, or ceases to carry on business; or (5) Is convicted of a prescribed offence or an offence in […]
A British Columbia POA does not cover health matters or personal care but is the primary tool for personal planning regarding finances, property, and legal affairs. On the other hand, Representation Agreements are limited to health care and personal care, except for the limited purpose of routine financial matters in agreements made under s. 7 […]
An attorney under a POA must act in the best interests of the adult while taking the adult’s best wishes and values into consideration: British Columbia Power of Attorney Act s. 19(2). Section 19 of the British Columbia Power of Attorney Act provides that when acting as an attorney (unless the POA specifically provides otherwise) […]
Section 24(1) of the British Columbia Power of Attorney Act provides that an attorney can be compensated if the POA expressly authorizes the compensation and sets the amount or rate. An attorney may be reimbursed from an adult’s property for reasonable expenses properly incurred in acting as the adult’s attorney: torney Act, s. 24(2). An […]