After a loved one dies, who is responsible for arranging the funeral? If you have been named the executor of an estate, you have the first right to make arrangements for the funeral. This is why it’s very important to locate your loved one’s will as soon as possible to learn who was named as […]
What is Probate? Probate is the process of applying to the court to confirm that a will is valid and can be acted on. The executor of the will is the person who has to apply for probate. What is an Executor? An executor is a person who makes sure that a will-maker’s possessions are […]
What is a Will? A will is a legal document that states what a person would like done with their estate (property, assets, and debts) when they die. A will also allows parents to decide who will take care of their children if their children are still minors when they die. Note: A minor in […]
There are many ways that you can plan for your future financial and health care decisions in case one day you are no longer able to make those decisions for yourself. Some excellent planning tools include: A Power of Attorney An Advance Directive A Representation Agreement What is a Power of Attorney? A Power of […]
Can a Disinherited Spouse or Child Change a Will in BC? Yes, even if the will-maker intended to cut them out, the Court can decide to award them an inheritance. The Court can also change the size of an inheritance to give them a bigger share than what they were left in a will. […]
When representing people suffering personal injury in car accidents, there are fewer female lawyers than male lawyers. It is not clear why, since personal injury is in fact “personal” and involves both male and female victims. Also, in the North Okanagan, there are only a few experienced female personal injury lawyers (senior lawyers). As a […]
Melody Martin served the Vernon Women in Business for two years, as Vice President and then President, her term ending when the new Board was elected for September 2018. This non-profit organization is the largest association of business women in Vernon and serves to support and educate as well as to promote networking and the […]
The Vernon Morning Star interviewed Melody Martin about herself and her perspectives on Vernon, BC. Read her comments here.
An interesting read for anyone who remembers the case of a Kelowna man who made two wills: one that required probate, and another that allowed his successful chicken farming business to avoid probate. There are many subtleties like this one in estate planning, which is another reason why it can be a good idea to […]