British Columbia Estate Planning Lawyer

Preparing for the end of life and the distribution of your assets is a task no one enjoys thinking about. However, this is a necessary step in setting your beneficiaries up for success after your death. 

At Pier Law & Mediation, we strive to make the estate planning process as clear and manageable as possible. Our British Columbia estate planning lawyers are committed to crafting a thorough, tailored estate plan that meets your goals and protects your legacy. 

Contact us today at 604-560-8285 to schedule a consultation and begin the estate planning process. 

What Is the Purpose of Estate Planning? 

You have worked hard your whole career to accumulate the assets and wealth you currently enjoy. Therefore, you probably have preferences regarding who will receive your assets after your death and how your estate will be managed. 

If you pass away without an estate plan, your estate will be distributed according to the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA). Under this act, your surviving spouse would receive a preferential share of your assets; if you do not have a spouse who is still alive, the asset distribution would move to your children, parents, and siblings in that order. If you have no heirs, the provincial government would receive your assets instead. 

Passing away without an estate plan also means you have no control over who acts as your estate administrator. This person is responsible for managing and distributing your assets. The court would appoint a person to this role, and it may be someone you do not trust to handle the responsibility. 

By creating a thorough estate plan with the help of our lawyers, you’ll have more of a say in how your estate is handled. You’ll also have more control over who receives your assets and when, along with who will manage your estate, care for minor children, and make medical/legal decisions on your behalf if you cannot. 

The estate planning process does not have to be stressful. Let our British Columbia estate planning lawyers help you think through these steps now so you can gain peace of mind for the rest of your life. 

We Assist With All Major Estate Planning Documents

A comprehensive estate plan includes several documents that detail your wishes for your assets, property, and other important items after you die or can no longer make decisions for yourself.

Our lawyers will explain all of these types of documents and help you determine which to include in your estate plan. Then, we will guide you through the process of creating legally compliant documents that accurately reflect your goals. 

Wills

A will is a legally binding document that describes how you would like your property and assets to be distributed after your death. This document can also name a guardian for your minor children and an executor of your estate. 

A will created on your own without a lawyer’s assistance may not hold up in probate court. Our lawyers will help you draft a will that addresses your wishes and meets the requirements set by the WESA. 

Trusts

Many individuals believe that creating a will is the only step they need to take in the estate and succession planning process. In reality, creating trusts and assigning trustees is another important step that may significantly streamline the probate process after your death. 

Establishing trusts allows you to pass assets directly to beneficiaries after your death or at any other time you prefer. Certain types of trusts even enable your assets to bypass probate. 

Let us help you choose the right type of trust for your goals, assign a trustee to manage and control the assets in it, and designate beneficiaries to receive inheritances from you. 

Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney (POA) grants one or multiple people the authority to act on your behalf in certain scenarios. You might use this document to allow a spouse or adult child to make medical or financial decisions for you should you become incapacitated or no longer able to make sound decisions for yourself. 

Our British Columbia estate planning lawyers will help you create a POA that meets your specific wishes. For example, you may only want this document to take effect under specific circumstances and grant limited authority to certain individuals. We will make sure you feel fully comfortable with the powers granted in your POA. 

Marital Contracts

While much of estate planning revolves around preparing for after your death, it also entails setting up protections for during your life. Marital contracts protect your assets from before your marriage in the event of divorce. Our lawyers can help you create a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement that clearly defines your separate and marital assets and establishes any other protections you need to feel confident in your marriage. 

Custom Estate Plans for Your Needs and Goals 

At Pier Law & Mediation, we approach the estate planning process with extreme care and attention to detail. We recognize that no two clients share the same goals for their wills and estates, nor do they have identical life circumstances or family relationships. 

We take the time to thoroughly understand your situation and preferences for the estate planning process. We also maintain an ongoing relationship with clients over time, enabling you to easily adjust your estate planning documents as any changes arise. 

Start Your Estate Planning Process Today in British Columbia

Thinking about wills, estates, and probate might feel overwhelming. Let us walk you through all of the documents you need to build a legally sound estate plan. We will help you assess your needs and goals from all angles and draft legally compliant documents that bring your wishes to fruition. 

Contact Pier Law & Mediation today at 604-560-8285 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with our British Columbia estate planning lawyers.