Family law encompasses a broad range of issues, including wills and trusts, family mediation, and separation agreements. Pier Law & Mediation’s new Vancouver office offers focused family law services in estate planning, wills, and trusts. This focus enables the legal team to provide detailed, personal services that support custom estate plans. 

Working with this qualified Vancouver family law lawyer can make the estate planning process easier to navigate. No one enjoys planning for their death, but it is important to take the first steps toward estate planning to protect your family’s future and secure quality care for yourself in the event of an unexpected medical crisis. 

Vancouver residents should understand what a family law lawyer can help with and when to pursue these services to protect their financial assets.  Call us at 604-560-8285 today.

What Can a Vancouver Family Law Lawyer Help With? 

The Vancouver office of Pier Law & Mediation helps with family law matters, including estate planning. Those beginning to plan their futures should consider working with a qualified attorney to design a customized will or trust that reflects their values and financial needs. These professionals can support you through the process and ensure that the final documents accurately reflect your wishes and are legally compliant.  

Family law lawyers typically offer both will and trust services, so it can be helpful to understand which estate plan may be most beneficial for your situation. 

Wills With a Vancouver Family Law Lawyer 

Wills only take effect after someone dies and involve the designation of an executor who will manage things like asset distribution and officially notify the appointed guardians of surviving minors. A will must undergo a public probate process, wherein the courts validate the document and grant the executor permission to begin distributing assets and handling other duties such as: 

• Paying debts and taxes of the deceased 
• Assessing and liquidating assets where necessary 
• Managing property until its distribution 

Because of the probate process, a will is generally less private and takes longer to enact than a trust. It is typically cheaper and faster to create, as the terms are less detailed than a trust. 

A family law attorney can assist you with drafting a will to accommodate your unique financial needs. A lawyer can also help you update an old will if your circumstances have changed. These professionals may make the process less stressful and ensure your will reflects up-to-date local and federal regulations. 

Trusts With a Vancouver Family Law Lawyer 

Trust-based estates can alter how someone manages their assets during their lifetime while creating a plan for their estate after their death. A trust involves nominating a trustee, rather than an executor, who will manage someone’s estate while following specific guidelines. A trust allows the grantor (the estate owner) to create a detailed plan for how the trustee should manage their estate, offering greater control over aspects such as specific childcare requirements or asset liquidation.  

Trusts offer greater privacy, as they often avoid the probate process. This also facilitates the transfer of assets more quickly and may mean that children’s care is less interrupted, as the new guardian can legally take over more efficiently without awaiting court proceedings. 

Trusts can also facilitate long-term financial planning, allowing the grantor to set aside assets for future care needs in retirement. This proactive approach helps grantors ensure that their assets remain safe if they eventually require full-time care or need to stay in a nursing home.  

Trusts may be more beneficial for those with larger assets that require more complex management, or for individuals with dependents who have special care needs that necessitate more detailed planning. For those bestowing large inheritances on their beneficiaries, an attorney may help you understand how to protect these assets from future changes in family dynamics, such as divorce. 

Working with a family law attorney when planning a trust-based estate is important because of the complexity involved in these documents. An attorney can advise you on the options for protecting your assets and make it easier to plan for unexpected medical crises and care needs in the future. Working with a professional who has extensive experience with trusts is especially crucial for those with disabled or minor dependents who may require specific care protocols beyond guardianship designation. 

These professionals work to understand complex family dynamics to customize a secure trust plan that reflects these nuances. 

Power of Attorney  

In addition to drafting wills or trusts, a family law lawyer can also anticipate future legal needs by helping you nominate someone to have power of attorney (POA) in the event of your incapacitation. The person who acts with POA receives limited authority and can make medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you are unable to act. It is vital to make this decision with input from a professional who can help you understand what powers a POA status grants someone and help you choose the right person for your situation.  

Choosing a family law lawyer you feel comfortable with can make the estate planning process easier to manage. Legal counsel can help protect your finances and secure your future against the unexpected while complying with all Vancouver regulations and laws. It always helps to let an experienced legal professional guide you through the process to ensure your will or trust includes all the necessary information while accurately reflecting your wishes and values.  

Contact Pier Law & Mediation About Your Family Law Needs 

Pier Law & Mediation now serves Vancouver, offering estate planning with experienced family law lawyers. These attorneys are knowledgeable about Vancouver law and the unique complexities of estate planning, making them well prepared to handle your planning needs. Whether you need to redraft an old will due to changes in circumstance or want to create a trust-based plan that accommodates complex family dynamics or protects assets for future medical needs, Pier Law & Mediation can assist. 

Initial consultations are free, making it easy to explore your legal options without a major commitment.  

To learn more or schedule a consultation, call 604-560-8285 or contact us online.