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Please don’t!! Handwritten changes to a Will may make it invalid in Alberta if the changes are not made using the same legal requirements used in making the Will. Additionally, this may lead to an increase in challenges to your Will when you pass away, costing your estate to pay higher legal fees. If you require changes to your Will, it is best to make a new Will including these changes, this guarantees your wishes are set out accurately and prevents any challenges down the road. Contact us for more information about updating your estate planning documents.

If so, you are probably thinking about these 4 things: parenting your children, child support, family property, and cash flow. In my mind, it’s important to add a 5th item to the list: estate planning. Knowing how your children will be cared for and how the law treats the estates of newly separated or divorced parents is a key part of planning and is particularly important if you have young children now. Think about what expectations you have for your children (and of the other parent), who should care for your children if both you and their other parent die while they are young and about when you should make a new will. When putting the pieces of your post-separation picture together, make sure you review any estate plan you have in place now, ask questions about what will happen if you don’t make any changes (or make a plan at all), and determine if you both agree on who should care for the children if both of you die or become incapacitated. To ensure that those you wish to provide for receive your gift without complication and that your children are well cared for, make sure you ask your lawyer about including estate considerations as part of your separation task list.

It’s important to think about the variety of options available to you. Most people are now aware that their matter does not have to go to court to be decided. Mediation is an excellent option for those wanting facilitated communication while they negotiate. For those who want guidance around options for settlement and legal information and advice as they negotiate, the Collaborative Process is a great option. The Collaborative Process is grounded in transparency, cooperation, and respect; it provides a private, non-adversarial, comprehensive, and efficient process opportunity. Your lawyer will be there to advocate for you, to draft the Separation Agreement and to provide the independent legal advice necessary for a legally binding settlement. Contact us to find out more information.

Secure your legacy with expert legal services in Edmonton, AB, offered by GoodLaw. Create a comprehensive will to appoint executors, guardians, and distribute your estate as desired. Establish an enduring power of attorney for financial matters, and craft a personal directive for health and personal decisions. Our specialized team ensures peace of mind for your future through wills, EPAs, and PDs. Wendy M. Phillips-Berard Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer Wendy began practicing law in 1999 and in St. Albert since the spring of 2001, and enjoys working with and meeting the people that call the St. Albert area home. Her preferred approach is one of common sense, practice realities, and moderation. She has extensive training in dispute resolution which allows her to offer clients more options when deciding how to address the things that arise during times of family upheaval. Wendy understands how a life change can bring turmoil and works hard to make her clients feel supported, empowered, and able to pull the pieces together to form a new way forward. Wendy also assists people plan for a new relationship using these same skills, allowing new partners to fortify the foundation of their relationships with respect, creativity and clear communication. Wendy also enjoys helping people of all ages make a plan in the event of their death or incapacity and she has a keen interest in matters affecting our aging population. To be competent in the above areas also demands a knowledge of common real estate matters and Wendy is happy to assist people with moving to or from our area, refinancing their home, and with questions regarding real property rights. Wendy has been a Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer since 2002, a past board member of the Association of Collaborative Family Professionals (Edmonton) (2007 – 2017), Chair or Co-Chair of the Forms and Precedents Committee for the ACFP(E) since 2007, and ACFP(E) Registrar since April 2019. She maintains memberships in the ACFP(E), the Collaborative Divorce Association of Alberta, Collaborative Professionals of Canada, and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Wendy has also been a guest lecturer on Collaborative Practice at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, where she received her law degree in 1998, and is a co-facilitator of Introduction to Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice course. With Wendy’s training and experience with families in transition, she can help people entering into new relationships to understand how to deal with property in the event of relationship breakdown, death, or incapacity and to create a cohabitation, prenuptial, or marriage agreement that specifically addresses their individual needs. Born in the St. Albert area and raised in rural northern Alberta, Wendy lives just north of St. Albert with her family. Do you have questions? Let GOOD LAW guide you through with knowledge and dedication. BOOK A CONSULT

Secure your legacy with expert legal services in Edmonton, AB, offered by GoodLaw. Create a comprehensive will to appoint executors, guardians, and distribute your estate as desired. Establish an enduring power of attorney for financial matters, and craft a personal directive for health and personal decisions. Our specialized team ensures peace of mind for your future through wills, EPAs, and PDs. Michelle T. Roe Lawyer and Registered Collaborative Family Lawyer Michelle began her legal education and career in Dublin, Ireland where she was born and raised. Since moving to Canada in 2013, Michelle and her family have called Edmonton their home. Her preferred areas of practice are: Family Law, particularly Collaborative Practice, and some litigation Residential Real Estate Wills & Estates, including estate planning and administration Since being called to the Alberta bar in 2017, Michelle has primarily been involved on the litigation side of Family Law and Divorce and understands the emotional impact the litigation system can have on families going through the process, not to mention the high costs and long delays. Michelle is passionate in assisting and navigating her clients beyond one of the most stressful times in their lives. Michelle listens to what her clients want and understands that going through the legal process and separation can be overwhelming to many. Michelle is excited to practice in the area of collaborative law, she believes this process takes a significant amount of conflict out of Divorce and separation and allows the parties to be involved in a positive resolution that will work for them, for their family. No family is the same, being involved in the outcome of your individual family unit makes for a happier resolution for everyone. Michelle enjoys volunteering for charities, organizing events and participates in legal advice clinics. Michelle enjoys traveling to and exploring new places with her family and pets, keeping fit, and has a love for trying out new food. Do you have questions? Let GOOD LAW guide you through with knowledge and dedication. BOOK A CONSULT

Nicole Korek Real Estate Conveyancer Nicole is our real estate conveyancer and has been doing her thing at GOOD LAW for over ten years and she worked with Wendy for a number of years before that in another capacity. She is attentive to detail, very efficient, and willing to help you with questions about putting together the legal details of your sale, purchase, or refinance. BOOK A CONSULT Amanda Moroz Family Law and Wills & Estates Amanda has been working with GOOD LAW since 2007 and is the glue that keeps our wills and estate practice going and the eagle eye that keeps family agreements and court documents done right. Amanda’s experience and knowledge is unmatched in her field, allowing us to continue to provide you with top-notch service. BOOK A CONSULT Tanya Cyr Multi-Tasking Office Ninja Tanya, our self-described Multi-Tasking Office Ninja, does just that, keeping us all organized, our office humming along, and our clients feeling welcome and comfortable. She has been lighting up our office with her smile since 2015 and is happy to greet you as you enter our office. GOOD LAW is here to Help Schedule a Consultation with Us. BOOK A CONSULT