“Probate” is the legal process whereby a Will is “proved” in a court and accepted as a valid public document that is the true last testament of the deceased. In B.C., essentially the need for probate is determined by the policy of the agency or financial institution which holds an asset which is part of…
A general principle of law is that a person making a Will (a “Will-Maker”) has the testamentary freedom to dispose of his or her property as he or she wishes. However, like many legal principles, there are exceptions. An important exception to a Will-Maker’s freedom to leave what he or she owns to whomever he…
No longer just a buzzword, crowdfunding represents a game changing opportunity for startups to access capital and is redefining how companies raise money and interact with their investors. Crowdfunding is increasingly being employed to help people and groups finance various projects by sourcing sufficient funds through an online platform. Crowdfunding can take on different forms,…
Pihl Law Corporation has worked for people injured in motor vehicle accidents for a long time. Over the years we have gained a large volume of expertise helping people obtain the proper compensation against the at fault drivers. Many of the cases we handle are tragic for the people involved, with people sustaining life changing…
Even before a person commences a lawsuit, they begin to incur expenses to gather evidence and eventually prosecute their claims. The further down the litigation path a person travels, the more a person incurs as legal costs and out of pocket expenses. When a matter is resolved, either by Judgement after a trial or as…
There have been many articles written about the benefits of resolving disputes through mediation rather than litigation. Despite this, there is still a great deal of confusion about what a mediation looks like and whether it will assist parties to resolve their dispute. In family law disputes, there is often also mistrust between parties that…
Every day, all over Canada, people’s lives are enriched by the work of registered charities and foundations, and other not-for-profit organizations in our communities. Funding for mental health, cancer research, shelter for the homeless, food for animal shelters, or a live performance by a local arts organization are just some of the ways not-for-profit organizations improve all of our lives…
Almost all of my clients share the same goals eliminating uncertainties over the administration of their estate and the maximization of the value of their estate. Unfortunately, many of them also share myths and misconceptions around estate planning. Here are some of the most prevalent estate planning myths and misconceptions and the facts behind them:…
A Will is the best way to ensure that the people, charities and organizations you cherish most receive the benefit of your estate. Your Will is also your last communication with your family and friends and your opportunity to leave clear instructions on how you want your assets to be handled, and how you want…
Dealing with the emotional and financial aftermath of a separation can be overwhelming. There are concerns about where a spouse is going to live, what is going to happen to the children, and how the separation is going to impact the family finances. In addition to these concerns, each spouse is experiencing a loss and…
