Family and Estate Law Blog
When Is a Separation Agreement Legally Binding?
Critical legal issues must be settled when married people or common-law spouses separate. A common way to resolve these issues is by signing a separation agreement. However, signing a separation agreement may not stop a party from starting a court action. In fact,...
What is an Executor?
"I've been asked to be an executor. What does it mean to be someone's executor?" What is an Executor? An executor is a person who is responsible for managing the estate and carrying out the wishes of the deceased. What If There is No Executor? When someone dies...
Supreme Court of British Columbia Now Sitting in Port Coquitlam
Supreme Court of British Columbia Now Sitting in Port Coquitlam: Easier, Cheaper Access to Divorce in Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam Residents of Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam may soon have more convenient and less costly access to family...
What Will Happen to My Children If I Die Without a Will?
"What will happen to my children if I die without a will?" In most wills, the will-maker usually appoints an executor, a guardian for their kids, and provides directions on how their assets should be distributed. Dying without a will means that none of the above has...
What Will Happen to My Pet When I Die?
It seems like most people in Port Moody and Coquitlam have a pet. You can go out for a walk at any time of the day and easily run into one or two dogs taking a walk with their owners. Pets are more than just furry friends we have. They are more like family. Sometimes...
What is a Will? – Making a Valid Will
Most of us don't really think about making a will. At least when we are still young and healthy, we don't. The idea of dying someday can be frightening, and for some people, the concept of death just seems too surreal. Sometimes, we are just too busy to even think...
French v. French | Spousal Support for a Party Unable to Work for Medical Reasons
Summary On January 15, 2021, the B.C. Court of Appeal issued reasons for judgment in the case French v. French, 2021 BCCA 30. In French, the issue was the amount of income to be used to calculate spousal support for Ms. Cindrich (formerly Mrs. French). She...
Why Young People Should Have a Will
"I am Healthy and Young, Should I Still Consider Making a Will?" Absolutely yes. The answer is always yes. No matter how young you are, unless you are minor, it is always better to have a will than not. Many young people think that they don’t need a will...
What is Intestacy? – Dying Without a Will
What is intestacy? When someone dies “intestate”, it means that person died without having a valid will. If someone dies without a valid will in British Columbia, then their assets are distributed according to the rules of Wills, Estates, and Succession Act...