Q. We had our Wills done last year and there was a Will’s Notice filed at that time with the Wills Registry. So what happens if we move? Should there be a new Notice filed and if so, who does that?

Estates, Uncategorized, Wills

A Will’s Notice indicates that you have done a Will, the date it was signed and the location of the original. If you move and the location of your original Wills changes from what is in the Registry, or of course if you do a new Will, you should definitely file a new Notice with…

If my wife and I get divorced and don’t do new Wills, would my Will still be valid and would she still be entitled to the interest in my estate that my Will presently gives her and expected to act as my executor if I die?

Uncategorized, Wills

There is new estate-planning legislation in BC called the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (“WESA”) which came into effect March 31, 2014, and replaced most of our existing estate-planning legislation. Under the WESA, the Will would remain valid, but any gift to your wife or any appointment of her as your executor or trustee is…

It has always been my understanding that any assets I hold jointly with my husband would go to him when I die. A few months ago, you printed a column that said if there was a plane crash and no way of determining who died last “each member of a couple who die together will be presumed to survive the other so both Wills would be followed”. What happens to joint assets in that scenario?

Estates, Uncategorized, Wills

Under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, the joint ownership is severed and your estates would each own 50% of each previously held joint asset outright.