Estate Connection Law Office
#3 - 44 ST. Thomas Street T8N 6N8 Saint Albert, AB, Canada

Being an Executor isn’t easy. There is a lot of paperwork to be done, a lot of interaction with government agencies, Alberta Registries, banks, insurance companies, accountants, realtors and lawyers. And there are always beneficiaries pressuring you to do things quicker or questioning everything you do. It comes as no surprise that Executors make mistakes. We thought we would look at the top eight mistakes Executors make. https://www.estateconnection.com//the-top-eight-mistakes-/

Do you have a Will? No one wants there to be problems with their estate once they are gone but for some, busy lives seem to stop us from getting a Will done. Our normal process is to book an appointment to discuss your wishes and answer any questions you have. Approximately 2 weeks later we will send you your documents to review and then have you come back to our office to sign everything. In most cases, clients have their estate planning documents done within 4 weeks o...f initially meeting us. Interested? Call our office...we are here to help! 780 458 8228

A well-drafted estate plan contains all the resources needed to carry out your final wishes and take care of your loved ones. For information and tips on the estate planning process, subscribe to our monthly newsletter today! https://www.estateconnection.com/contact-us/newsletter/

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: My parents just told me I am the Executor of their estate but I asked to see their Will and they said no. As Executor, am I entitled to see their Will? Our website blog has the answer! https://www.estateconnection.com//do-i-have-a-right-to-be/

Even though the digital age is upon us, we don’t normally think about what will happen to our digital assets when we pass. This blog explains why that should change. https://www.estateconnection.com//ensuring-your-digital-l/

Our estate lawyers have drafted hundreds of wills. After drafting this many estate plans our staff have come up with a list of the 3 most common errors we see couples make when drafting their estate plans. Need more information? Contact our office to book an appointment with an estate lawyer to review your plan. And remember where there is a will, there is a way,

This is heartbreaking news.

Sometimes beneficiaries have a hard time getting information on an estate. At what point should they consider hiring a lawyer? Watch to learn more about when a beneficiairy might have to hire a lawyer.

We've Moved! A Gift For You and More! - https://mailchi.mp/6a98b5a26bff/dec2020

Ever wonder what to think about when giving money to minors in your will? Stacy Maurier provides the answer.

Tales From The Legal Crypt, Snowbirds That Are Grounded & Halloween Candy! - https://mailchi.mp/e6016f979/oct2020estateconnectionlawfirm

Many of the estates we handle result from a failure to plan. Clients find it difficult to talk about their lives and some of the events that have occurred. At Estate Connection Law Office we want you to feel comfortable meeting our experienced estate lawyers and discussing what needs to be dealt with Remember - We are Here to Help!

Our friends at the Westend Seniors Activity Centre continue to offer their fantastic meal program...I am a big fan of their soup and order them every chance I get! If you are looking for an affordable, tasty meal program, make sure to check out their website below! It's open to everyone!

Estate Connection Law Office Motivational Monday Message - We hope these words inspire and motivate you to keep going and lead the life you always imagined!

Do you know someone who could use a meal program? Tired of cooking? Our friends at the Westend Seniors Activity Centre can help! We are huge fans of their entrees and frozen soup!

Many clients wonder about how often than should review their will. Join Farhana Nurani as she outlines how often a person should read over and review their will and other estate planning documentation.

With Remembrance Day fast approaching, The Royal Canadian Legion is reminding Canadians that the best way to pay tribute to our fallen this year, is at home. With Canada’s major broadcasters planning to air their familiar Remembrance Day coverage, you can pay your respects from home by watching the major broadcasters' coverage of the National Remembrance Day Ceremony, or right here on Facebook Live beginning at 10:45 am EST. At 11:00 a.m. please pause for a moment of silence.... Read more: https://www.legion.ca//legion-urges-canadians-to-watch-fro

STOP RIGHT NOW! Have you ever wondered why you should hire a wills and estates, lawyer, to write your will? Or maybe you have read about will kits and are thinking that maybe the way to go. Stacy Maurier shows you genuine DYI and locally drafted wills and how the 7 deadly drafting sins occurred and how you can avoid these errors.

Hot off the press- Estate Connection September Newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/b1054b06/sept2020estateconnectionlawfirm

Did you know funeral costs can run anywhere from $2000 to $30,000.00 in Alberta? Can an Executor spend as much money as they like on the funeral? Check out the article for more information.

Lawyers visit to the Hospital

Have you been to a hospital lately? Check out this video where we discuss our trip to the Royal Alec

The rules around the joint property and beneficiary designations are changing! Our office recently had a phone call from a client who was the son of a recently deceased Alberta resident. The deceased parent had written a holograph will and had left some property to a child from a previous relationship. Problem is...our client is on the title jointly to the land and personal property that was given to the other child. The will also referenced a life insurance policy that was ...to go to the child from the first marriage but our client was listed as a beneficiary of the plan who was to ultimately receive the funds- the child from the first marriage or the child from the second marriage? There was no explanation in the will that could help us understand what the deceased had intended. What a costly & heartbreaking matter for our client and his sister. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently ruled in Calmusky v. Calmusky that the sole named beneficiary of an RRIF was not the plans ultimate beneficial owner. Instead, the Court held that the designated beneficiary was holding the RRIF in trust for the deceaseds estate and should be distributed pursuant to the deceased will. The Calmusky decision is a good reminder for all of us that if we intend for a beneficiary to take a gift (whether that is gift of survivorship of a real property, a bank account or insurance proceeds, RRSP, RRIF), it is very important for us to document that intention officially. If the intention is for the beneficiary to hold the assets for others, then document that intention as well. It is highly recommended that people consult with an estate lawyer to make their intentions expressly known and to have the professionals guide them through the steps to make a valid and legally binding gift if a gift is indeed intended. These proactive steps will ensure that the persons wish is followed after they are no longer able to provide their intentions, and in fact, those steps may avoid disputes that can consume large sums of legal fees. Call us for a free-will review checklist if you are concerned about your estate. Rememberwe are here to help! 780-458-8228

Leaving To A Charity, A Thank You For Teachers & More! - https://mailchi.mp/87c033f52b42/estate-connection-aug2020

We had a client who had beautiful china that they have collected. No one wanted her china so she gave us a cup to put on our artifact shelves. Today I pulled it out and brought it to my desk so I could burn a scented candle. Doesnt it look fabulous? Makes me happy every time I walk into my office.

The last couple months have been a trying time for everyone. School closures, working from home, activities cancelled, no toilet paper, and the worry and pain of what to expect next. The City of St. Albert created this great video celebrating the resilience of our community. Grab a couple tissues and watch why St. Albert is one of the best places to raise a family...and of course operate a law office! Enjoy! https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=5o58bGRCZBk

Many of us remember listening to the Charlie Daniel's hit "the devil went down to georgia" back in the in the early 80s. I saw this post online and wanted to share it because it shows having an education doesnt always mean having a piece of paper in the wall. Enjoy!... Stacy https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4142494825793044&id=100000977031429&sfnsn=mo

The FINAL videos for our Will Workshop are now live! Here is a sneak preview of Seminar 4 of 4: Personal Directives. For more information, please visit www.estateconnection.com/will-workshop. You can register for FREE using the coupon code SOCIALDISTANCING (and the code expires on May 30th - so register now)! Questions? Leave a comment below! As always, we are here to help.

No plans for the long weekend? Give EC's Online Will Workshop a try (free registration is only available for 15 more days)! Here is a sneak preview of Seminar 3 of 4: Powers of Attorney. For more information, please visit www.estateconnection.com/will-workshop. You can register for FREE using the coupon code SOCIALDISTANCING. Questions? Leave a comment below! As always, we are here to help.

The second module for EC's Online Will Workshop is live! Here is a sneak preview of Seminar 2 of 4: Last Will and Testament. Free registration is ongoing until May 30, 2020 - please visit www.estateconnection.com/will-workshop to view the coupon code, learn more about the seminar content, and register! Questions? Leave a comment below. We are here to help!

Have you seen our latest newsletter, 'A Positive Outlook in a Difficult Time'? Click the link below to view our message to the community, read our words of optimism, meet our new lawyer, discover why we made the decision to update our website, and more! Enjoy!

Well that's an interesting problem to have!

EC's Online Will Workshop is officially live! This is a course designed to walk you through your estate plan step by step. By the end of our four sessions, you will have more clarity on who to appoint as the Executor of your estate, how to distribute your assets, and how to deal with financial and medical decisions in the event that you lose mental capacity. In light of the global quarantine, our office has made the decision to offer FREE registration until May 30, 2020. Please visit www.estateconnection.com/will-workshop to bypass the required payment with a coupon code, learn more about the seminar content, and register! Here is a sneak preview of Seminar 1 of 4: Choosing an Executor. Questions? Leave a comment below!

We are so excited to announce our online Will Workshop! Click the following link for more information (and to register...for FREE!): https://www.estateconnection.com/will-workshop

A positive message to start your day.

Not much more to say -

It will be a different kind of Easter this year!

Personal Care Directives and the Meaning of life. As life goes on our healthcare wishes change. If you don't have a Personal Care Directive, click here to create one. It is very important that we have a personal care directive and discuss our views with our family especially during a pandemic. https://cfr.forms.gov.ab.ca/form/OPG5521.pd

Why is a law firm considered an essential business? Stacy addresses how Estate Connection Law Office is bringing peace of mind front line workers during the pandemic.

Wondering how to write your will during a pandemic? Stacy Maurier our founding lawyer walks you through the process of writing your will at our office during a pandemic.

Cheers its Friday!

Estate Connection - Keeping you Safe!

When you need courage you need a little Churchill!

An important message from Estate Connection concerning COVID-19. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at (780) 458-8228.

Lots of information out there...we thought we would share the latest information from the chief medical officer of Alberta. https://www.facebook.com/167800183238142/posts/3820587111292746/?substory_index=0

Cupcakes, mimosas, and financial planning - sounds like a great time! Sara Negraeff (Investment Specialist) and Yoana Wakeford (Small Business Advisor) are hosting "Sisterhood of Investing - A Workshop for Women by Women." This event will be taking place on March 28, 2020 from 12:00pm to 2:30pm at Confections Cake Co. Don't forget to RSVP!

March Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp//estate-connection-newsletter-march-2020

As we grow older, our ability to do things independently declines. Here is a useful article on what to do when you need help, but your loved ones are not around.

"Few of us are immune from the anxiety that can quickly set in when we contemplate our own ageing. Who will be there for us when us can no longer physically take care of ourselves? Who will be around to remind us of who we were in our moments of lucidity when our minds have started slipping away?" Continue reading this interesting article from Sonia Sodha by clicking the link below.

"Conversations around death and dying are changing, and those in the funeral industry say its the baby boomer population leading the charge." Here is an interesting article on funeral planning.