Will Creation

A Will ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. It allows you to:

• Choose who inherits your property
• Appoint an executor to manage your estate
• Name guardians for minor children
• Minimize delays, costs, and potential family disputes

Without a Will, your estate is distributed according to British Columbia’s Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA), which may not reflect your intentions.

A will creation lawyer in Chilliwack can help you draft a legally valid Will under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA), ensuring your assets, guardianship wishes, and beneficiary designations are properly documented.

If you pass away without a Will (intestate):

• Your estate is distributed according to provincial law
• Your spouse may not receive your entire estate if you have children
• The court will appoint an administrator instead of an executor you choose
• The process can take longer and may cost more

Creating a Will gives you control and simplifies matters for your loved ones.

Alpine Legal Services helps Chilliwack families avoid intestacy complications by drafting comprehensive Wills that clearly outline asset distribution, executor appointments, and guardianship provisions under British Columbia law.

A properly drafted Will typically:

Your will creation lawyer in Chilliwack at Alpine Legal can also incorporate trusts, specific bequests, and alternate beneficiary provisions tailored to your family and financial circumstances.

• Appoints your executor
• Names beneficiaries
• Addresses distribution of assets
• Appoints guardians for minor children
• Provides funeral or burial wishes (optional)
• Includes contingency plans if beneficiaries predecease you

While handwritten or online Wills may be legally valid in BC, mistakes can lead to:

• Invalid or unclear provisions
• Unintended tax consequences
• Family disputes or legal challenges

A lawyer ensures your Will is legally valid, clearly written, and tailored to your specific situation.

Alpine Legal Services provides professional will creation services in Chilliwack, ensuring your Will complies with WESA signing and witnessing requirements and stands up to any future legal challenge.

The cost depends on the complexity of your estate and your planning needs. At Alpine Legal Services Law Corporation, we offer transparent, affordable rates for Will preparation for individuals and families in Chilliwack and the surrounding Fraser Valley.

Please see our price list for our base fees for estate planning services.

An executor is responsible for:

• Gathering and managing your assets
• Paying debts and taxes
• Distributing your estate according to your Will

Choose someone who is trustworthy, organized, and willing to take on the responsibility. Many people choose a spouse, adult child, close friend, or professional. It is also important to note that your executor will need to be willing and able to travel to where you lived, to take care of your affairs after your passing. There may be tasks that need to be taken care of locally by the executor, which can be a challenge If the executor resides in another province or country, and isn’t able to readily travel.

Alpine Legal Services in Chilliwack can advise you on selecting a reliable executor and structuring your Will to minimize the administrative burden during probate and estate administration.

You can also appoint your lawyer to act as executor for your estate. Some clients prefer this as a lawyer is an objective third-party who understands estate law and is therefore able to administer your estate efficiently, with minimal stress and burden on your loved ones. Having a family member act as an executor can cause conflicts depending on the relationship between the parties and the high levels of stress from dealing with the loss of a loved one and now having to manage their estate. If you’d like to explore the option of appointing a lawyer as your executor, please let us know.