Serving White Rock
Wills and powers of attorney for White Rock clients
White Rock and South Surrey clients are about ten minutes from our Surrey office, where we prepare wills, powers of attorney and representation agreements.
Two things come up again and again in this part of the Lower Mainland. One is the second marriage, where each person has children from an earlier relationship and wants both their spouse and their own children provided for. The other is planning for incapacity, where the power of attorney and the representation agreement matter more day to day than the will does.
How we help White Rock 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 White Rock matters
- Surrey Provincial Court, 14340 57 Avenue: Provincial Court family matters and small claims for White Rock.
- New Westminster Law Courts, 651 Carnarvon Street: Supreme Court matters, including divorce and family property.
- Civil Resolution Tribunal (online): small claims up to $5,000 and most strata disputes.
Questions from White Rock clients
I remarried after my first husband died. Does my old will still stand?
Probably, and that is the problem. In British Columbia marrying someone no longer cancels an existing will the way it once did, so an old will can still be in force and still leave everything to people you no longer intend. Separation and divorce work the other way: gifts to a former spouse are generally revoked. Any will written before a change in your relationships is worth reading again.
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.
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.