Modern Wills Law

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new website! 🌟

Modern Wills Law's online home has been redesigned to provide you with easy access to our estate planning and probate services.

Check it out at modernwills.com. Whether you're looking to secure your legacy or navigate the administration of a loved one's estate, we're here to provide clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. 💼✨

We are in the business of creating peace of mind for our clients. It is always heartwarming to hear about positive experiences. A big thank you to our client for this wonderful testimonial!

Happy Holidays from Modern Wills! Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and restful holiday season.

Please note that our office will be closed December 22 through January 2, But we are always available online! We have free resources, address many frequently asked questions, and consultations can be booked any time from our website.

Looking forward to what 2024 has to bring!

Three years in, and we're still reinventing the way we approach estate planning for today's world 🎉. Our birthday came and went last month during what was quite likely our busiest time to date. We want to extend a sincere thank you to all our clients, friends, and colleagues. We are so grateful to you! Your trust has fueled our mission to make planning for the future personal, warm, and efficient. So excited to see what the future holds.

So grateful for the chance to be part of something bigger with Samir Desai and his whole RBC team last week! Serving, connecting, and giving back at Made by Momma's was an honour. In the midst of busy schedules, it's moments like these that remind us of the bigger picture. Here's to the difference we can make when we come together.

Legal jargon can sound like a different language. We like to use plain language where possible but sometimes you can't get away from the technical terms. That's why we're breaking it down for you! Check out our latest blog post on 'Probate' and get a clear understanding without the legal-speak. 📘

📣 Exciting News! 📣

We're thrilled to announce that Katelyne, our summer intern, is now a permanent part of our team as a part-time legal assistant! 🌟

Many of you met Katelyne over the summer and witnessed her dedication and enthusiasm. As she wraps up her policy degree at Mount Royal University and sets her sights on law school, we're excited to have her on board. Stay tuned for blogs from Katelyne on various estate planning topics and business updates!

Gratitude fills our hearts when we hear how we’ve made a difference in our clients' lives. Check out this recent testimonial that has us beaming with pride. 😊

If you’ve been on the fence about sorting out your will, maybe it’s time for a chat?

🔐 Demystifying & Unlocking the Power of Henson Trusts in Estate Planning 🔐

Estate planning can seem complex, but it doesn't have to be. Henson trusts a great tool to protect the financial interests of loved ones with disabilities.

Ready to start your estate planning journey, potentially including setting up a Henson trust? Schedule a free consultation with us today. We are here to guide you!

From moving into a new office, to exploring Italy, to carrying natural wines in Portugal … modern wills totes have had a pretty great summer☀️

If you have a photo with your tote out and about, send it our way! We love to see what the totes get up to.

www.modernwills.com

🎒 School Supplies? Check.
📜 Estate Plan? Let's Start!

Back to school and back to the never ending to-do list. Let us make it easy to cross one huge item off the list! Let's connect for a free consultation to discuss how a custom Will can protect your legacy and your loved ones.

Schedule a free consultation any time here: https://www.modernwills.com/getstarted

📜 No Will, No Way! 🚫

Don't leave your loved ones in a legal labyrinth 🤯. When you pass without a Will, chaos can ensue. Who manages your estate? How do your assets get divided? 🤔

Learn the importance of having a valid Will in our latest blog! 📝

These kind words from a former client have us starting the week on the BEST note! Our clients are incredible, and sometimes, they articulate my exact goals with this business better than I ever could. 😀

Are you a new parent or expecting a new arrival soon? Estate planning may not be an enjoyable topic but it is a very important one. Here is an overview of the three roles to consider when first starting to think about your estate planning.

Full blog here: https://www.modernwills.com/blog/new-parent-expecting-essential-roles-to-consider

📚 Fact or Fiction: Debunking Estate Planning Myths
Curious about the truth behind common estate planning misconceptions? Our latest blog post sets the record straight. Check it out!

Fact or Fiction: Debunking Myths about Estates — Modern Wills Law This informative blog post debunks common myths about estate planning, highlighting the necessity of probate even with a Will, the importance of creating a Will regardless of wealth/age, and the need to establish guardianship preferences for minor children. It also emphasizes the value of profession

📚 Estate Planning for Single and Young Adults: Why You Need a Will 📚

Discover why, contrary to popular belief, having a Will is crucial for young and single adults. Learn about the property that requires court approval to transfer, how Wills help avoid confusion and conflicts, and the importance of protecting your assets and known wishes.

Read the full blog post for more information: https://www.modernwills.com/blog/estate-planning-for-single-and-young-adults

Our latest blog explores the concept of Dower. What is it? And is it still relevant in today's world?

Thanks very much to Katelyne Steele for her assistance in preparing this post! Some of you may have already had the pleasure of meeting her. She is a bright and enthusiastic undergraduate student who is finishing up her public policy degree (and likely heading to law school in 2024). She has joined our team as an intern for the summer and already become such an integral part of the operations of Modern Wills over the past couple of months.

Demystifying Dower: Dower in Alberta from its beginnings to today (and beyond) — Modern Wills Law What is Dower? And is it still relevant today?

Exciting Announcement! We are thrilled to launch our annual follow-up initiative to enhance communication and support for our clients!

Creating a Will is an essential step in securing your legacy and protecting your loved ones. However, it is equally important to recognize that a Will is not a one-time document; it requires regular updates to reflect your evolving circumstances and goals. That’s why staying connected and providing ongoing value to our clients is our priority.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email us at [email protected].

We're excited to announce that we are bringing texting capabilities to our existing phone numbers. Say goodbye to multiple contact points and enjoy seamless communication with us.

Sadly, this means we are no longer available at our previous "text only" line - apologies for any inconvenience.

Stay tuned for updates on our official launch!

Modern estates have countless digital assets. Doing our best to live up the to the "modern" in our name this week, by offering a new platform to our clients: the Modern Wills Digital Vault.

More info here: https://www.modernwills.com/blog

Almost two thirds of Canadians do not have an up-to-date Will in place. Here is a look at the most common reasons given, and why, unfortunately, those reasons do not hold up to scrutiny.

Do you identify with any of the listed reasons? Have any others? Check out our website for more info or to schedule a free consult.

Full text available at: https://www.modernwills.com/blog/why-dont-you-have-a-will

We’re not like a *regular* law firm, we’re a *cool* law firm.

…unless quoting a movie that came out 19 years ago immediately retracts any coolness? Haha

Either way, very excited about these designs for some new merch.

6 steps to peace of mind ✌️

Does the thought of making a Will overwhelm you? You are not alone! But we aim to make it as simple as possible for you. We have even had some clients say we made it fun! 😊

Questions? Feel free to reach out any time. Or check out modernwills.com for more info.

(Full text available at modernwills.com/process)

Happy new year! ✨

The beginning of a new year is such a great time to get organized. I don’t know about anyone else but it always makes me feel so optimistic for the year ahead.

If you feel similar, consider reflecting on your estate plan as a part of getting organized. Do you have a Will? Power of Attorney? Personal Directive? Are any updates needed? (Be sure to review your Will AND your beneficiary designations on any registered accounts or life insurance.)

We would love to make it super easy for you to check making a will off your to-do list this year.

Have any questions? Feel free to reach out any time. Free consultations can be booked online at modernwills.com

We extend a huge thank you to all our clients and connections. Thank you so much for your trust and support over the past year. Wishing you the happiest of holidays and all the best in 2023! Very excited to see what this next year brings.

It was recently reported that Aaron Carter passed away without making a will. This news is especially heartbreaking because he and his ex-girlfriend welcomed a son last year. Because they were never married, it is likely that his son will ultimately inherit the entirety of his estate. However, without a will in place, no one has authority to act until a court appoints an administrator, which can create a whole range of issues for loved ones left behind.

It seems whenever a celebrity passes, gossip about the extent of their assets and whether they had a will always enters to the news cycle. Hearing that another person passed without a will is always a somber reminder of the importance of estate planning.

This post goes over some celebrities who passed without a Will (or without an up to date estate plan) and the unfortunate consequences.

https://www.modernwills.com/blog/celebrities-who-died-without-a-will

Wills & Guardianship. Without a formal guardianship designation, a child's existing guardian(s) would take over your rights. ... But, what if that would be against your wishes? We go over this question and some related considerations in today's blog.

Wills are so important for anyone going through a separation or divorce, or anyone with any form of split guardianship - even if you would be completely comfortable with the other parent/guardian taking over (e.g., maybe you would be comfortable with guardianship but not management of the child's inheritance).

Full post here:
https://www.modernwills.com/blog/wills-guardianship-what-if-there-is-an-existing-parent

What happens if you can't find a Will after a loved one has passed?

Unfortunately, if no original can be found, the estate may be dealt with as if there was no Will at all. A lot of people are shocked to find out that Alberta does not have a central Will registry, and that they might be forced to make phone calls to countless law firms to enquire as to whether they have a loved one's Will. Nowadays, the Law Society recommends that originals be kept by clients and not law firms, which eliminates some problems but creates others.

To make the process of finding Wills a bit smoother, the Law Society of Alberta has recently created a public webpage, containing a listing of lost Wills and is encouraging lawyers to review the page on a regular basis. Hopefully the convenience of a public webpage will encourage use by the public, and by Wills lawyers, so that more Wills can be tracked down and more people’s final wishes honoured.

We explore this in more detail at the link below.

https://www.modernwills.com/blog/law-society-of-alberta-creates-online-lost-wills-listing

One of the most important aspects of estate planning for parents of young children is appointing alternate guardians. Under Alberta law, a parent who is also a guardian, can appoint a replacement guardian via a Will. This written appointment is extremely important, as it would speak for you if you were unable to do so... but there is a bit more to the whole process.

Our next few blog posts will dive into guardian appointments in more detail.

Here is the link to read the full post: https://www.modernwills.com/blog/using-a-will-to-appoint-guardians-for-children