Wills & Estate Planning

Wills and Estate Planning Lawyer in Victoria, BC

Dustin has been providing tailored will and planning advice to clients for well over a decade. He is comfortable and experienced with both simple and complex wills and estate plans. Dustin works closely with his clients and often their accountants, financial advisors, and other professionals during the planning process. His personalized approach ensures that your wishes are honoured, and your assets are distributed according to your intentions.

Wills

A Will is a legal document that takes effect on your death setting out, among other important provisions, how your estate is to be distributed and who is to be appointed as executor and trustee. With Dustin’s specialized focus in this area of practice he can best ensure that your wishes are carried out without undue complications. This may include: fee and tax optimization, advising on potential will’s variation concerns, incorporating beneficiaries who may be minors, people with disabilities, or spendthrifts, and managing assets in foreign jurisdictions.

Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document for personal planning in British Columbia that allows you to appoint an Attorney to manage your financial and legal affairs. Like a Will, it is an integral part of one’s planning. While a Power of Attorney is a familiar planning document, many individuals in British Columbia are either without one, or have not fully considered some of the many complexities and concerns that can arise. Dustin is able to guide clients through these concerns such as: avoiding financial abuse, providing compensation to an Attorney, considering gifting and loans, and drafting other specific bespoke powers depending on the client’s wishes and circumstances. In addition, Dustin can provide practical advice in activating and using the Power of Attorney.

Representation Agreements

A Representation Agreement is the key legal document in British Columbia for personal and healthcare decision making. It is a legally enforceable document and is used in case of incapacity, end of life, and other support needs. For those individuals who may not have sufficient capacity to put a Power of Attorney in place, there is also the availability to draft a Representation Agreement that can provide for some financial powers. Dustin is able to draft and advise on the two types of Representation Agreements (standard, and non-standard) to be considered for your planning and peace of mind.

Trust Planning

Trusts can form an important part of an estate plan. They can include inter-vivos trusts (living), and testamentary trusts which take effect on death. Trusts can shield assets from probate fees, retain privacy, mitigate wills variation actions, and help protect certain beneficiaries such as those who are persons with a disability, spendthrifts or minors. Dustin can draft and advise on many of the different types of trusts that may be incorporated into one’s estate plan.

Contact Dustin to schedule an initial consultation. He is available to meet at any one of his offices, your residence, or other preferred location. Off-hour appointments may also be available upon request.

Contact Dustin