Serving Vancouver
Wills and powers of attorney for Vancouver clients
Vancouver clients meet us at our Surrey office to prepare wills, powers of attorney and representation agreements. The first consultation is free.
In a city where the home is usually the whole estate, small decisions about title do most of the work. Whether a property is held in joint tenancy or as tenants in common decides whether it passes automatically to the other owner or falls into the estate, and putting an adult child on title is not the simple shortcut it is often described as.
How we help Vancouver clients
- WillsDeciding who inherits, who administers your estate, and who cares for your children.
- Powers of AttorneyNaming someone you trust to handle your finances and property if you cannot.
- Representation AgreementsNaming who speaks for your health care and personal care if you cannot speak for yourself.
Courts that hear Vancouver matters
- Vancouver Law Courts, 800 Smithe Street: Supreme Court matters for Vancouver, including divorce and property division.
- Vancouver Provincial Court, 222 Main Street: Provincial Court family matters and small claims.
- Civil Resolution Tribunal (online): small claims up to $5,000 and most strata disputes.
Questions from Vancouver clients
If I add my daughter to the title of my condo, does that keep it out of my estate?
Not reliably. Where a parent transfers property to an adult child for nothing, the law generally presumes the child holds it for the parent’s estate rather than as a gift, unless there is evidence a gift was intended. Families litigate that exact question. If the goal is to make things simpler later, there are usually safer ways to get there.
How often should a will be reviewed?
Every few years, and straight away after a marriage, separation, birth, death, a significant purchase or sale, or a move to or from another province or country.
Where should the original will be kept?
Somewhere safe, accessible and known to the executor. The location can also be filed with the BC wills registry, so that a search after death finds it.
Can these documents be prepared in one meeting?
Usually the set is prepared over two: one to take instructions and one to sign. Where something is urgent, such as surgery scheduled for the week ahead, tell us and we will work to it.
Wills & Power of Attorney in other communities
Book a consultation
Tell us what has happened. We will tell you where you stand.
The first consultation is free, at our Surrey office on 120 Street.