Acting as the personal representative for an estate is a big responsibility that comes with legal obligations to the estate and its beneficiaries. Being prepared to act is an important first step. A personal representative is a person who has authority to manage the estate of a deceased person. … [Read more...]
Caring for Fido After We Die
Pets are a valued part of many people’s lives, and we often worry about what will happen to them after we die. If you have ever wondered how to make sure your cherished companion is cared for after you pass away, you are not alone. This is an issue in family law as well when couples have to … [Read more...]
Reclaiming the D-Word
In planning for end of life, we first need to be able to talk about it. Death—it’s a reality of life that on a certain level we know will come for us all, but one that in our modern world we have managed to push to the peripheries. The average lifespan for a Canadian in 2020 was a hair shy of … [Read more...]
Canada is not yet Ready to Expand its Medical Assistance in Dying Legislation
Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) laws were set to change in March 2024 to include mental disorders. But the federal government has once again delayed implementation until at least March 2027. Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) was legalized in Canada in 2016 and became available to … [Read more...]
Do I need a lawyer to make a Will?
A Will is a legal document that says what happens to your estate when you pass away. While you can make your own, there are many good reasons why a lawyer should prepare it for you. There are two ways to make a Will in Alberta. A person can make a holographic Will that is entirely in their own … [Read more...]
The Right To Die and the Debate Surrounding Mental Illness
Medical assistance in dying, or MAID, has been legal in Canada since 2016 and has continued to evolve. The current debate is around expanding MAID eligibility to patients experiencing mental health conditions. Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is a process where a medical professional … [Read more...]
Planning for things no one wants to talk about
Advance care planning and the need for frank conversations about death If you were too sick or injured to make healthcare decisions for yourself, who would make them for you? Advance care planning (ACP) gives you a chance to decide who. April 16 is National Advance Care Planning Day, a day … [Read more...]
Hot Legal Topics of 2022
You asked and we answered - questions about interest rates, rent increases, layoffs and terminations of employment, grants of probate and conversion therapy. As another year ends, it’s a time to reflect back on the year that was and look forward to the year that will be. I think many of us are … [Read more...]
Alberta’s New Surrogate Forms
The new GA Forms came into effect on June 15, 2022 for all grant applications in Alberta. The Surrogate Rules of Court set out many of the rules that personal representatives must follow and the forms they must complete when applying to the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta for a grant of probate … [Read more...]
So You Want to Make a Will in Alberta?
The Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA) receives many questions on making a Will. Let's answer a few of them! At the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA), we receive many questions on making a Will: Where do I start? Can I do it myself? Where can I find the forms? How … [Read more...]
