For many, a will is the first thing that comes to mind when people think of estate planning. That’s because, without a valid will, your assets might not necessarily go to the people you thought they would. Similarly, your children may not necessarily receive as much care and attention you felt they deserve. A will allows you to set out various wishes, including the fair distribution of gifts to your loved ones or appointing a guardian for your dependent children.

However, an estate plan goes further than will writing to incorporate decisions that can be made on your behalf. For example, if you lose mental capacity or if you are temporarily unable to make decisions about your medical care. An estate lawyer will help you draw up documents to appoint an enduring power of attorney or personal directives to make financial and health care decisions on your behalf. This can be anyone from your surviving spouse to a child or friend.

To ensure your will and estate plan stands up in the court of law it is helpful to partner with a lawyer in Calgary who has experience with estate law to make sure it meets legal requirements. Planning for the future with a lawyer is a key part of being in control of what choices will be made in regards to your children, spouse, and parents and how they are all cared for, as well as the distribution of your estate. At DLegal, we appreciate how sensitive this conversation can be when you wish to put your estate matters in order.

While estate lawyers help a living person craft a plan for how their estate should be administrated, probate lawyers will help an executor or personal representative administer an estate once someone has passed. This includes guiding executors through the probate process by helping with the probate application, as well as advising on property appraisal, paying debts, preparing other documents for the Calgary probate court and more. At DLegal, we understand the complexities of administering the estate of a deceased person and will guide you and your family through the entire process with compassion.

There is more to a will and estate plan than just dividing up your assets. Working with Calgary estate lawyers to properly orchestrate your legal documents will have the following advantages:

1. Give you peace of mind
2. Ensure your wishes are respected
3. Financially protect your family and dependents
4. Ensure your children or dependents are cared for
5. Avoid family disputes and strife
6. Minimize taxes and expenses
7. Plan for your incapacity
8. Avoid complications with probate proceedings
9. Leave a legacy you are proud of
10. Contribute to business succession planning

A robust estate plan will account for your incapacity, assets, professional legacy and more so that legal disputes are not necessary. Your family members are already going through enough with the death of a loved one. Ensure, your wishes are not up for debate with a comprehensive wills and estate plan in Calgary.

Many people believe that estate planning is just for the rich or the elderly but this is not the case. Estate planning is vital for everybody who wants to have control over life’s events. It is crucial for people who want to protect their minor children or dependents. It is necessary for blended marriages and common-law couples who wish to avoid discord in the family or estate litigation. It is pivotal for businesspeople and investors who want to preserve their wealth and cardinal for philanthropists who want to leave gifts to charities. Contact our Calgary estate lawyers to discuss your estate planning options to protect your wishes.

Once you have your estate affairs in order, make sure that you review your plan from time to time with a wills and estates lawyer. Contact a Calgary estate lawyer when there has been a significant life change, such as the birth of a child, a new long-term relationship, marriage, separation, divorce, or a substantial change in the value or nature of your assets.

Even if you feel you’re too busy, some changes in your life simply cannot wait. For example, an estate plan does not become null and void if you separate from a partner. If it is left unchanged, your former spouse might still be entitled to your assets even after the relationship has broken down. Will lawyers will ensure your current plan is up to date.

When someone you love loses the ability to manage their personal or financial affairs due to an unfortunate event or age, you may want to take care of them. In order to be able to protect their personal values and property, you need to have the legal authority to represent them.

There are various ways to assist someone with their personal or financial matters. If your loved one planned ahead, they may have already appointed you to make decisions on their behalf by an Enduring Power of Attorney or a Personal Directive. Alternatively, you may need to be appointed as a guardian or a trustee for that person. Regardless of how complex your situation is, DLegal estate lawyers in Calgary will handle the intricacies of your case and guide you through this difficult time.

We all need emotional support as we go through grief when we lose our loved ones. Legal issues arising from death are overwhelming for many people. If you have questions about a will or distribution of an estate plan following the end of your significant one, meet with one of DLegal estate lawyers in Calgary. We will take you through the process from wills to enduring powers of attorney, personal directives and more. We will answer all your questions with empathy and discretion.

No matter how complex or straightforward a will or estate is, administering it is a time-consuming responsibility. It requires the financial knowledge and legal services of a wills lawyer. Failure to manage the estate correctly creates a personal liability to the many parties involved. Retaining a will and estate lawyer in Calgary can save you time and limit your failures to observe the formalities.

Unfortunately, disputes regarding inheritance are not rare. Such conflicts may arise from an unfair distribution of an estate, doubts about a will, or questionable behavior of an executor. Our team of estate litigation lawyers will help you determine if a claim is valid and how to handle it better. Contact us to discuss a fair and cost-effective resolution of the conflict or support you throughout the estate litigation process.

When you entrust a preparation of your Calgary will and estate planning to DLegal Law Office, we will guide you through the estate planning process in the following ways.

1. We will provide you with an easy-to-use Questionnaire, which will guide you through all your options.
2. We will meet to assess your wishes and needs, with the goal of deciding on the most appropriate estate planning approach for you, so we leave no stone unturned during our initial appointment. If you are not able to visit us in-person, we are happy to assist you online or over the phone.
3. Once we have a good understanding of your requests, we will take approximately 5-10 business days to draft the documents in accordance with your wishes and instructions. If you need your documents within 72 hours, ask us about our rush fee; based on availability, we can assist with same-day delivery for urgent matters.
4. You will then receive your draft for review. You can take some time to reflect and ensure you are happy with your decisions or identify any further changes that must be made.
5. During our second meeting, we will discuss and sign the documents together, thus bringing your wishes and estate plan into a legally enforceable effect.
6. Once signed, you will take the original home with you, and we will retain a copy. We will also advise you regarding storing and caring for your will.
7. In the circumstance of life changes or when your children grow up, and changes must be made to your existing will and estate plan, we will happily welcome you back and assist you with any and all necessary changes. As your Calgary estate lawyers we are here for you for life through every chapter to ensure you are always protected and your personal freedoms and wishes are met.

At DLegal, all of our wills and estate planning fees are listed transparently on our website. View our flat rates for wills, estate, personal directives, and probates here.There are no surprise additional fees when you partner with DLgeal. The strong relationships we have with our clients are based on a foundation of trust.