Options for a basic, legal Will in Alberta?

[Scott N]

I'm embarrassed to say that I do not have a legal Will. I will only have one beneficiary (also the executor). I do not expect any legal or family disputes, and I do not have any dependents.

Can anyone recommend easy, minimal cost, legal Will options in Alberta that they have personal experience with?

[Blastoff]

Simple, go see a lawyer and pay $400 to $600, ask a friend or relative who they dealt with, pretty easy procedure

[Knotter]

Get a lawyer. There are other aspects of this like a major disability where you need a living will. Eliminate tough decisions for your loved ones. We did ours and I remember it costing about 1500 for my wife and I.it will be a tough enough time for your loved ones, don't make it worse having your estate go to the province to sort out.

[Drewski Canuck]

I am in Edmonton, but our Office charges $750 for a basic Will, Advance Directive (Living Will), and Springing Power of Attorney.

When you are dead, your problems are really over!!

But if you are in a hospital bed for 3 months, unconscious, someone has to make some decisions for you. That is where the other two documents com into play.

Drewski

[tranq78]

Originally Posted by Knotter

Get a lawyer. There are other aspects of this like a major disability where you need a living will. Eliminate tough decisions for your loved ones. We did ours and I remember it costing about 1500 for my wife and I.it will be a tough enough time for your loved ones, don't make it worse having your estate go to the province to sort out.

Good advice. A family member just died suddenly from heart attack.

No will. He didn't want to pay the $350 cost.

Now it's going to cost way way more than that as his small estate goes through probate.

[lyallpeder]

Some library’s have the Will kits that registry’s sell.

[Sooner]

Originally Posted by Blastoff

Simple, go see a lawyer and pay $400 to $600, ask a friend or relative who they dealt with, pretty easy procedure

Agree. My parents lawyers office has will kits they make up. I bet most do. Get one for free, fill it out, go sit down and finalize it. Easy peasy and no worrying about some online one missing some important clause so to speak.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by Scott N

I'm embarrassed to say that I do not have a legal Will. I will only have one beneficiary (also the executor). I do not expect any legal or family disputes, and I do not have any dependents.

Can anyone recommend easy, minimal cost, legal Will options in Alberta that they have personal experience with?

I’d do it right and use a lawyer. Then less problems maybe down the line. They give you a form to fill out and guidance. Then prepare it all. Go over it and explain how it works. Ours also stores a copy in their files. I’d also keep a copy at home and in a safety deposit box. Family should know where copies are including your executor.

It should be reviewed from time to time as life changes.

Our lawyer also said never leave an item to someone in your will as if it’s lost or stolen or broken and thrown out then the estate must buy another at what ever it costs. Wording is key like in the event you are in possession of such and such item upon your demise then it goes to so and so but only if you still had it readily found. Lawyer suggested gifting sentimental or heirloom items as soon as you feel comfortable.

Also wording needs to outline kids and when they get any inheritance and if someone died how it gets shared. And then if married how spouses are dealt with and if your kids have kids how they get inheritance. The form is very detailed and lawyers can say how a scenario commonly plays out.

Peace of mind knowing you haven’t made a major error is good.

Originally Posted by Drewski Canuck

I am in Edmonton, but our Office charges $750 for a basic Will, Advance Directive (Living Will), and Springing Power of Attorney.

When you are dead, your problems are really over!!

But if you are in a hospital bed for 3 months, unconscious, someone has to make some decisions for you. That is where the other two documents com into play.

Drewski

Sound advice.

[elkhunter11]

I spent the $350 to have my lawyer do the will and power of attorney for me. My mother living in Saskatoon paid over $500 for the same. I asked my lawyer why there would be such a difference, and she told me that they keep wll costs low, because of the number of seniors in my city, that are living on fixed incomes.

[catnthehat]

My advice is don't mess around, get a real lawyer !
Funny thing is , we didn't really think that there would be any issues over the years with anybody we knew that died as far as estates go, but some of the instances we were involved with are simply right out of the National Enquirer.
When I mentioned that to our estate lawyer he just laughed and said that in his profession they have a saying
" where there's a will there's a relative"!
Cat

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

My advice is don't mess around, get a real lawyer !
Funny thing is , we didn't really think that there would be any issues over the years with anybody we knew that died as far as estates go, but some of the instances we were involved with are simply right out of the National Enquirer.
When I mentioned that to our estate lawyer he just laughed and said that in his profession they have a saying

" where there's a will there's a relative"!
Cat

A fellow asked me why they call baby diapers Huggies, Luvs or Pampers, but adult undergarments are called Depends. He then told me because everyone wants to love, hug or pamper babies, but with seniors, it depends who is in the will.

[KGB]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

A fellow asked me why they call baby diapers Huggies, Luvs or Pampers, but adult undergarments are called Depends. He then told me because everyone wants to love, hug or pamper babies, but with seniors, it depends who is in the will.

Priceless!!