A codicil is a legal document that is used to modify an existing will without completely replacing it. This document allows you to make minor changes to your will, such as adding or removing beneficiaries, changing the executor, or updating asset distributions. Codicils are typically used for small changes that …
Finally, fifteen years after the death of “The Godfather of Soul”, James Brown, his estate has been settled. As with other celebrities such as Aretha Franklin and Prince, who died without a coherent estate plan or a will, expensive and time-consuming litigation has been a hall-mark of the James Brown …
Or more precisely, what is a Grant of Probate? In its most simple terms, a Grant of Probate is the Surrogate Court’s confirmation that a deceased person’s Will is valid, and that the named Executor is authorized to begin the process of administering the deceased’s Estate. The application for a …
What is the Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act The Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act is referred to when an adult may not be able to make decisions on their own about personal matters. Guiding Principles Adult presumed to have capacity until determined otherwise Adult entitled to communicate by any means …
What is the effect of a Will that is not valid or only partially valid, or where there is no Will (intestacy)? Your Estate may be divided among people you would not otherwise name as beneficiaries in your Will. Wills and Succession Act s. 37 and 38 If there are …
In Alberta, a Grant of Probate is the Surrogate Court’s certification that the Will submitted by the Executor meets the formal requirements of a Will as set out in the Wills and Succession Act and is the last Will executed by the deceased. The Grant of Probate gives the Executor …
At some point in our lives most of us will be asked to act as an Executor or co-Executor of the Estate of a loved one. This is generally considered an honour and, to some extent, an homage to the friend or family member in question. But what does an Executor actually …
How can I ensure my Will is valid? There are three kinds of Wills, each with separate requirements to ensure validity: Holographic Wills are written entirely in the hand of the Testator and signed at the bottom of the Will. Though Holographic Wills were quite common in the past, they …
