Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts and Estate Planning

WILLS

A carefully thought out and drafted will ensures that your wishes with respect to the distribution of your estate are carried out after your death. A poorly drafted will could result in those wishes being partially or entirely invalid, leaving the distribution to be made pursuant to a legislated scheme that may or may not meet the needs of your family.

We will consult with you personally to determine your unique needs, given your particular circumstances, and prepare a will that meets those needs.

We strive to provide our services with the utmost professionalism and with the sensitivity and compassion that are required to deal with delicate personal and family issues.

A Power of Attorney is a document that allows you to delegate legal authority to deal with your real estate and personal property in the same manner you would yourself but are unable to do so due to temporary illness, permanent incapacity or absence. This document is an essential component of every estate plan.

Again, each Power of Attorney can be customized to meet the needs that arise from that individual’s circumstances.

The absence of a valid Power of Attorney will result in the province’s public trustee assuming the legal responsibility and control of your assets in the event of a disability or incapacity to deal with one’s property, temporary or permanent.

In addition to the delegation of authority over property, one could also require a Power of Attorney for Personal Care, sometimes referred to as a Living Will. This document directs your attorney as to what measures should be taken with regard to your ongoing personal care and to make decisions with respect to medical treatment in the event that you are not able to do so.

TRUSTS AND ESTATE PLANNING

Trusts can be used in conjunction with other tax-planning tools to further reduce or defer tax liability, to avoid probate fees, and to plan for the succession of family-owned businesses and transfer of personal wealth.

We can design plans to promote the accumulation and preservation of wealth and the orderly distribution of assets to your family and future generations.