If you are involved in the probate of a will as an estate administrator, you may find yourself dealing with a situation of a life estate or life interest. These scenarios involve life tenants — usually a second or subsequent spouse of a decedent who has children from a prior relationship, although not always — who are given the usage … Read More
Turn to the professionals for estate administration
If you are struggling with the administration of someone’s estate, it can be quite frustrating. You might want to rush it through to appease family members and/or beneficiaries, but that could come back to haunt you with the liability. There are many factors involved with estate administration, and some decedents’ estates can be quite complex, involving real estate holdings in … Read More
Dodging family feuds while administering an estate
Elderly parents with several adult children sometimes elect to choose one child to be the executor of their estates when they die. This may give them comfort to think that they carefully selected the fairest and most responsible of their brood to carry out their final intentions, but this choice can foment bad blood between the siblings. Problems often arise … Read More
What must be done when probating an estate?
If you are in charge of probating an estate, it can be confusing trying to remember to cross every “t” and dot every “i.” But yet it must be done correctly or you could face financial and legal liabilities for being remiss in your duties. Below are some important tasks to check off of your list. Make sure that you … Read More
How can I correctly value a decedent’s real property?
If you are in charge of probating an estate, at some point you may need to valuate real estate that was owned by the decedent. It’s vital that this is accurately done in order for the heirs and beneficiaries to receive their fair share of the estate’s true value. A professional real estate evaluator can look at the net operating … Read More
Are you up to managing the estate of your relative?
How convenient it would be if our loved ones always managed to have their affairs in tip-top shape at the time of their deaths. While some do manage to prepare for the inevitable and get their ducks in line, others’ personal affairs are in disarray when they pass on. If your spouse, parent or other loved one is one of … Read More
Can I contest my relative’s will?
The courts and government of British Columbia recognize the autonomy of individuals to leave their estate to the people they choose. With that being said, however, there are certain circumstances wherein it may be possible to contest the terms of a will being probated here in British Columbia. There are three categories of heirs or potential heirs who may contest … Read More
When a will is vague, estate administration may be complicated
The responsibility of being executor of an estate, or the British Columbia court-appointed administer, is a heavy burden. Fortunately, a well written will leaves little room for doubt as to what needs to be done with the deceased’s assets. Vague wording, however, can lead to misinterpretation and may complicate the task of estate administration. When specific instructions are not left … Read More
Have you chosen the right person as executor of your estate?
In order to have your wishes carried out regarding the administration of your estate, it’s important to select the right executor to handle your affairs when you die. Making the wrong choice can delay the distribution of assets to your heirs, inspire contested will battles and potentially open the estate to tax liabilities. The right person for the task should … Read More
Let a legal professional probate the estate
The responsibility for filing for probate of a deceased person’s estate can sometimes be burdensome, especially when the estate is large or complex. Sometimes an estate can include multiple properties and/or business entities that all must be sufficiently managed and valuated by the estate administrator. For some in that position, it can be a bit more than they ever bargained … Read More