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Updated September 30, 2026By Judith A. Janzen
Inheritance Laws for Separated but Not Divorced Couples in British Columbia
In British Columbia, a separated spouse generally loses the right to inherit from their spouse’s estate as soon as they separate, even if they never divorce. Under the Wills, Estates…
Updated September 29, 2026By Candace Cho
How to Sever a Joint Tenancy With Right of Survivorship
In BC, you usually sever a joint tenancy by transferring your interest to yourself with a Form A transfer, which section 18 of the Property Law Act allows without the other…
Updated September 28, 2026By Judith A. Janzen
Checklist After the Death of a Parent in Canada
Losing a parent is one of life’s hardest experiences. After their passing, it’s important to handle key legal and administrative tasks to ensure everything is managed properly and in line…
Updated September 27, 2026By Candace Cho
Resulting Trust for the Purpose of Creditors but Not Family Members?
Trust can protect jointly owned property from creditors of a deceased parent, but courts generally do not extend this protection to living children. In British Columbia, if a parent adds…
Updated September 25, 2026By Candace Cho
Co-executor of a Will: Common Problems & Solutions
When executors have different ideas about how to handle an estate, this can lead to delays that could drag probate for months and really stress relationships among family members. Common…
Updated September 22, 2026By Candace Cho
How to Become an Administrator of an Estate Without a Will in BC
If you want to become an administrator of an estate without a will in BC, you need to apply to the Supreme Court of British Columbia for a grant of…
Updated September 21, 2026By Judith A. Janzen
Can An Executor Decide Who Gets What?
In British Columbia, the answer is almost always no. An executor must distribute the estate exactly as the will directs and follow their legal duties under the Wills, Estates and…
Updated September 18, 2026By Candace Cho
Interim Distribution of an Estate in BC
In British Columbia, interim distribution allows some estate assets to be distributed to beneficiaries before an estate dispute, such as a wills variation claim, is fully resolved. However, distribution during…
Updated September 15, 2026By Judith A. Janzen
What Am I Entitled to in a Divorce in BC?
In a BC divorce, you’re generally entitled to an equal share of family property and debt built up during the marriage, plus spousal support if you qualify based on need…
Updated September 15, 2026By Candace Cho
Probate BC Checklist – How to Successfully Navigate Probate
Estate administration after a death typically involves four key steps: filing the will with probate court, notifying creditors and beneficiaries, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets. The process…
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September 25, 2026By Sandy Minh Abley
No Such Thing as a Dead Simple Will
The Life Planning Model above illustrates that there are many areas in our lives we should carefully think about and plan for. As you can see from the model, making…
July 30, 2026By Candace Cho
Understanding the Tort of Family Violence
The tort of family violence gives survivors a way to seek financial compensation for abuse through the civil courts. In 2026, Canadian law took an important step by recognizing that…
July 26, 2026By Candace Cho
Put a House in a Trust: 2026 Guide
Putting a house in trust means transferring legal ownership of the home to a trust that a trustee manages for your beneficiaries. In British Columbia it can help pass the…
July 20, 2026By Candace Cho
Dealing with a Sibling Stealing from Estate in 2026
If a sibling is stealing from an estate, document the missing assets, gather supporting evidence, and speak with an estate lawyer as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances, you…
July 19, 2026By Candace Cho
What Happens When a Person With Debt Dies?
When a person with debt dies in British Columbia, their debts do not automatically become the responsibility of their spouse or family. Instead, the deceased’s estate is generally used to…
July 17, 2026By Candace Cho
Living Trust in Canada: 2026 Guide
A living trust is an arrangement you create while you are alive: you move assets into a trust, a trustee manages them, and your beneficiaries receive them under the terms…
July 15, 2026By Candace Cho
Does a Common-Law Spouse Inherit if a Partner Dies Without a Will?
This page deals with one situation: a common-law partner in British Columbia whose partner has died without a will. If you are looking for the general rules on what any…
July 14, 2026By Candace Cho
Does a Spouse Automatically Inherit Everything in BC?
No, a spouse does not automatically inherit everything in British Columbia. Under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA), what a surviving spouse inherits depends on whether the deceased had…
July 12, 2026By Candace Cho
What Happens to a Person’s Finances When They Die?
When a person dies, their finances become part of their estate and are handled through the estate administration process. Bank accounts, debts, taxes, and assets are managed according to the…
All articles
09/25/2026By Sandy Minh Abley
No Such Thing as a Dead Simple Will
The Life Planning Model above illustrates that there are many areas in our lives we should carefully think about and plan for. As you can see from the model…
07/30/2026By Candace Cho
Understanding the Tort of Family Violence
The tort of family violence gives survivors a way to seek financial compensation for abuse through the civil courts. In 2026, Canadian law took an important st…
07/26/2026By Candace Cho
Put a House in a Trust: 2026 Guide
Putting a house in trust means transferring legal ownership of the home to a trust that a trustee manages for your beneficiaries. In British Columbia it can h…
07/20/2026By Candace Cho
Dealing with a Sibling Stealing from Estate in 2026
If a sibling is stealing from an estate, document the missing assets, gather supporting evidence, and speak with an estate lawyer as soon as possible. Dependin…
07/19/2026By Candace Cho
What Happens When a Person With Debt Dies?
When a person with debt dies in British Columbia, their debts do not automatically become the responsibility of their spouse or family. Instead, the deceased’s…
07/17/2026By Candace Cho
Living Trust in Canada: 2026 Guide
A living trust is an arrangement you create while you are alive: you move assets into a trust, a trustee manages them, and your beneficiaries receive them und…
07/15/2026By Candace Cho
Does a Common-Law Spouse Inherit if a Partner Dies Without a Will?
This page deals with one situation: a common-law partner in British Columbia whose partner has died without a will. If you are looking for the general rules on…
07/14/2026By Candace Cho
Does a Spouse Automatically Inherit Everything in BC?
No, a spouse does not automatically inherit everything in British Columbia. Under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA), what a surviving spouse inherit…
07/12/2026By Candace Cho
What Happens to a Person’s Finances When They Die?
When a person dies, their finances become part of their estate and are handled through the estate administration process. Bank accounts, debts, taxes, and asse…
07/10/2026By Candace Cho
The Cost of Setting up a Family Trust in Canada
Quick answer: The cost of setting up a family trust in Canada is mainly legal fees to draft the trust deed, plus ongoing costs to run it. Fees vary with compl…