Wills & Estates

A hand signing the bottom of a will when estate planning

Wills & Estates • August 26, 2026

How to Prepare a Will

Key Takeaways A will is the only way to leave clear instructions about how your estate is divided and who cares for your minor children. Without a will, your estate is divided under Alberta's Wills and Succession Act, and the court appoints both your personal representative and any guardian for minor children. When you write…

Wills & Estates • July 17, 2026

How Can You Get a Power of Attorney?

Planning for the future can feel like a big task, especially when it involves your finances and legal affairs. You may wonder who would manage these responsibilities if you were unable to, whether due to travel, illness, or an unexpected event. It is a common concern that a firm like KH | Dunkley Law Group can…

A couple estate planning and creating a personal directive with the help of legal advice from a lawyer

Wills & Estates • December 12, 2022

Estate Planning: What Is a Personal Directive?

The first thing that typically comes to mind when people think about estate planning is a will. Although a legally valid and up-to-date will is a necessary component of estate planning, it’s far from sufficient. A will only protects your interests after you die; it does not protect your interests if you lose capacity and…

Lawyer explaining the importance of appointing a personal representative.

Wills & Estates • October 28, 2022

What Is a Personal Representative and How Do I Appoint One?

Developing your will can be complicated. Depending on where all of your assets are, it can take a while to create a plan to manage all of them in a way that adequately sets out your intentions after you’re gone. However, once your will is developed, who will make sure your requests are followed through…

A close up of a hand reaching for a file folder labelled estate planning

Wills & Estates • October 26, 2022

What Do I Need to Consider When Estate Planning?

When many of us think of the future, our thoughts may turn to our children growing up, growing old with the one we love most, or pursuing new passions after retirement. However, while these are all important, we also need to look beyond that and consider what will happen to our estate once we are…

A power of attorney document laying on a desk with a pen and pair of glasses sitting on top

Wills & Estates • October 26, 2022

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney?

Who Makes Financial Decisions for You When You Can’t? It’s easy to put off planning for the future, but an enduring power of attorney is an important part of organizing your estate if anything were to happen to you. An enduring power of attorney allows someone to make financial decisions for you if you lose…

Wills & Estates • May 17, 2021

Why Prepare a Will?

A will is the only way you can leave instructions regarding the distribution of your earthly belongings when you’re gone. Whether your final wishes are respected depends on whether you have a will, what it says, and whether it is worded correctly. A will is a legal document that governs your estate – all of…

Wills & Estates • May 17, 2021

What is an Executor and How Do I Appoint One?

Developing your will can be complicated. Depending on the complexity of your estate, you may spend a lot of time and effort creating a plan for administering your estate according to your wishes and in the best interest of your loved ones. But who will make sure your wishes are followed through after you pass…

Wills & Estates • June 1, 2015

Named as Executor in a Will? Why You May Need a Grant of Probate!

An executor of a deceased person’s estate is responsible to settle the deceased’s affairs and distribute the deceased’s assets in accordance with their will. However, before the executor can distribute the deceased’s property, they may be required to obtain a grant of probate from the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. Obtaining a grant of…

Wills & Estates • February 2, 2014

Why you need a Personal Directive (a.k.a. “Living Will”)

A Personal Directive, commonly known as a Living Will, is a document which allows a person (the “Maker”) to designate another person (the “Agent”) to make decisions regarding non-financial personal matters, such as medical treatment, residence and social activities if the Maker becomes mentally incapable of making these decisions on their own. The Personal Directive…