Last Will and Testament gives you the opportunity to decide who you wish to benefit from your estate, who you wish to be your estate representative, and who you would wish be the guardian of your minor children.  Consider the following:

• Having a Will shows consideration to your family that you have left behind, that they know they are following your wishes.
• Having a Will makes the paperwork associated with your passing much less work for others.

• Having a Will may allow for your beneficiaries to access funds from your estate in a timelier manner.

• Having a Will can assist in avoiding conflict and fighting amongst family members.

• Naming a guardian for your minor children gives you the peace of mind that they will be cared for by someone of your choosing. If you were to pass without a Will, your estate will be divided in accordance with the laws of Alberta and may not be distributed to those persons you would choose.

 
Personal Directive is also known as a "living will". Having this document allows you to name a representative to make personal decisions on your behalf if you are still alive but you have lost your capacity to make decisions for yourself. Your appointed Agent can make decisions with your medical service providers regarding your care and can arrange for you to live in a care facility.

A Power of Attorney document is used to name a representative to make financial decisions on your behalf if you have lost your capacity to do so. The Attorney you have named can access your bank accounts to pay your bills and can sign legal documents in your stead when required.  

In the event that you were to lose your ability to make decisions or communicate decisions and have not had a Personal Directive or Power of Attorney prepared, someone close to you may need to apply to the Court to be appointed as your Guardian and/or Trustee.  That process can be avoided with the simple preparation of these documents.  

Guardianship and Trusteeship Applications are needed when a loved one has experienced a loss of capacity, or ability to make decisions on their own behalf, or when an adult who is unable to make decisions for themselves requires assistance with respect to their finances and/or their care.    

Estate Administration can be very overwhelming.  There is a lot of paperwork to be done and the process can be confusing at a time of grieving and loss.  From the first meeting, I will do my best to take the worry off your shoulders, explain the process and support you through the administration of your loved one's estate.  I will make the process simple and straightforward.  If you are wanting support in preparing application documents on your own and are looking for a little bit of knowledgeable guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us to arrange a consultation.

WCB CLAIMS -If you are injured on the job the Worker's Compensation Board (WCB) may cover your medical expenses and lost wages in the event youa re off work due to the injury. If your WCB Claim has been unfairly denied, we can act as your Worker Representative to appeal the unfair decision.

DISABILITY CLAIMS-If you have been injured outside of work and are unable to perform the duties of your job, you may be entitled to receive short-term disability benefits.  If your claim for disability benefits has been denied, we can assist you with the internal appeals process with your disability insurer.  If your matter must proceed to litigation, we can assist you with documentation preparation, information and referrals to legal counsel.

CPP-DISABILITY and AISH APPLICATIONS-If you are permanently disabled and require assistance with completing the application forms for Canadian Pension Plan Disability benefits and/or Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, we can help!