Whether you live in Coquitlam or Langley, estate planning is one of the most important actions you will take to protect your family, and the most important document s you will create in your lifetime is your Will. Your Will ensures that your estate will be distributed to your family according to your wishes. Without a Will, your assets can be tied up for years, leaving your family to deal with legal wrangling in addition to their grief.

In Coquitlam and Langley, the Wills and Estates Lawyers of Drysdale Bacon McStravick offer s a broad variety of personal legal services, such as estate planning, preparation of Wills, and probate applications. Our Wills and Estates Lawyers We advise you on all legal matters relating to the administration of your estate, determining its assets, preparing and filing the necessary Court documents and applying for Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.

Wills and Estates planning FAQ

Q. Do I need a Will?
A. Your Will allows you to decide who will inherit your assets. If you die without a Will, your assets will pass to your next-of-kin in accordance with the rules established by the Estates Administration Act, which include: a.) If you leave a spouse and children and the net value of your estate is $65,000 or less, everything goes to your spouse. b.) If you leave a spouse and children and the net value of your estate is greater than $65,000, your spouse is entitled to the first $65,000. If there is only one child, the balance is divided equally between the spouse and the child. If there is more than one child, 1/3 of the balance goes to the spouse and the children divide the remaining 2/3. If a child is under the age of 19 his or her funds will be held in trust until the child's 19th birthday. Your spouse may have limited access to these funds (with the consent of the Public Trustee) while the child is a minor. At age 19, the child will receive all of his or her trust money as a lump sum payment. c.) If you have no spouse, children, or parents, your estate goes to your brothers and sisters in equal shares. d.) If you have no spouse, children, parents or siblings, your estate goes to your nephews and nieces in equal shares.

Q. Who will distribute my assets if I die without a Will?
A. The Court will appoint an "Administrator", who must usually post a bond to protect the assets of the estate, as your personal representative. Family members, beneficiaries or even creditors have a right to apply to become your administrator.