Will Drafting & Estate Planning

Planning for the future is essential to maintain peace of mind and prevent potential disputes among loved ones. Our estate planning services ensure that your assets are handled according to your wishes, while also complying with British Columbia law.

Our team can assist you in preparing:

• Will – A Will is a legal, written document in which a person (the testator) states how their property and affairs should be handled after death.
• Power of Attorney  – A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document in which the donor appoints one or more person(s) (the attorney(s)) to make decisions about property and financial affairs. An enduring POA continues to be effective if you later lose mental capacity.
• Representation Agreement – A Representation Agreement appoints one or more trusted person(s) (representatives) to make personal care and/or routine property decisions for you when you lack capacity. The named representative makes decisions on your behalf (within the authority you give). This is typically used when you are assessed as incapable or can be immediate if you choose.
• Advance Health Care Directive – Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) records your own specific instructions and wishes about future health care (e.g., resuscitation, life support) to guide clinicians if you lose capacity. You remain the decisionmaker in advance by stating what you want; clinicians and your representative (if any) use that document to follow your instructions. AHCD applies when you cannot make or communicate treatment decision.
• Many people in B.C. prepare both a Representation Agreement appointing a trusted decisionmaker plus an Advance Health Care Directive stating specific treatment wishes.

Why Create a Will?

Key reasons to create a will in B.C.:

• Control of distribution: you decide who gets your assets and in what shares instead of intestacy rules.
• Appoint an executor: choose a trusted person to administer your estate.
• Guardians for minors: name guardians for any minor children (avoids court decisions).
• Minimize disputes: clear instructions reduce family conflict and costly litigation.
• Estate planning: use wills to implement trusts, tax‑planning, gifts, and protections for vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Speed and certainty: a valid will typically makes estate administration faster and clearer for beneficiaries and institutions.
• Personal wishes: state funeral, burial/cremation, or other final instructions.
• Protect blended-family interests: ensure your intentions override default statutory outcomes

It is recommended to keep your will up to date after major life events (marriage, divorce, births, large asset changes, deaths).

Legal Requirements in British Columbia

In B.C., certain legal standards must be met for a will to be valid. Our lawyers will review your estate plan to ensure it adheres to all requirements, reducing the risk of it being contested or varied by the court.

Cost / Legal Fees

• A single Will, fees generally range from $600 to $800.
• Two Wills (usually spouses), fees generally range from $1200 to $1400.
• A Power of Attorney, fees generally range from $300 to $400.
• A Representation Agreement, fees generally range from $350 to $500.
• An Advance Health Care Directive, fees generally range from $350 to $500.
• RKLC Will & Estate package – which includes a Will, Power of Attorney, Representation Agreement and Advanced Health Care Directive, fees typically are $1,450 for all documents.
• For couples with similar documentation, the fee for two Wills, two Powers of Attorney, two Representation Agreements and two Advanced Health Care Directives fees typically are $2,000 plus applicable taxes.

Additional Costs to Expect:

• Disbursements: Expect roughly $50 to $100 added to your final bill for administrative costs. This covers the BC Vital Statistics Wills Notice registration fee ($18.50), scanning, and printing.
• Taxes: Legal fees are subject to 5% GST and 7% PST in British Columbia.

Ronald Kumar Law offers competitive fees to make estate planning accessible.

Contact Us to discuss your estate planning needs, call us at 604-638-3302 or reach out online. We serve clients across British Columbia and are committed to protecting your estate and your loved ones’ future.