Wills Week Learning

Wills Week is a series of free presentations that help Edmonton and area residents learn the value of creating and maintaining an up-to-date will.

Every October, we partner with a dedicated team of volunteer estate lawyers to answer your questions about will and estate planning. Wills Week sessions are free of charge to the public and offer information about:

    • Creating and/or updating a will,
    • What a will can and cannot do,
    • How a will can help save taxes for both you and your estate, and
    • Why it is so important to have a will prepared with the help and expertise of a lawyer, accountant, and financial and estate planner.

Having a valid, up-to-date will ensures you determine who:

  • Gets what from your hard-earned assets,
  • Will administer your estate, and
  • Will be guardians of your dependent children.

After family and loved ones are taken care of, many people choose to create a lasting legacy in their community. A will intention is a great way to do this.

In addition to information about putting your estate plans together, there will be dedicated sessions detailing the important role of administering an estate. The sessions offer information about:

  • Administering an estate,
  • What an estate can and cannot do,
  • Proper accounting procedures for an estate, and
  • Why it is so important to plan an estate with the help and expertise of a lawyer, accountant, and financial and estate planner.

Having a properly planned estate ensures you determine who:

  • Gets what from your hard-earned assets,
  • Will administer your estate, and
  • Makes decisions in case things go awry.

Research shows that 98% of Canadians make donations in their life. Planning for a legacy gift in your will ensures that your dreams and aspirations for the community continue beyond your lifetime. Working with ECF can help individuals and families build funds that reflect their interests.

Wills Week 2024

ECF presents this year’s Wills Week from October 7 – 11. Access the detailed schedule in the accordions below.

Read the Late Edition for more information on Wills Week and a helpful glossary of terms. Thanks to our volunteer lawyers for making Wills Week possible!

Click on a session to watch the recap!

Wills & Estates 101 Icon Close

Presented in English

Presented in French

These “Wills & Estates 101” sessions provide a general overview of things to keep in mind when preparing your estate plan and address common questions for wills and other documents that affect your estate. Learn the basics of estate planning, including how to choose an executor, designate beneficiaries, and ensure your wishes are legally protected.

Learn more about our host Pascal Visentin

Estate Administration 101 Icon Close

When a person is selected or appointed to administer another person’s estate, many responsibilities and tasks are expected. This session will provide you with a sense of the roles and responsibilities an executor or must fulfill. Additionally, we will review important items to consider when selecting your own executor.

Learn more about our host Patty Ko

Death and Taxes Icon Close

When writing/updating your will, you will want to be sure to plan for the impact taxes will have. Planning to reduce or defer taxes is an essential part of estate planning and administration. You will want to contemplate the potential tax liability, how it will be paid, and provide your executor(s) with the tools and flexibility they need to prepare the tax returns and administer the estate in a tax-effective and efficient manner. This presentation will address many commonly asked questions and will present tax planning options for you to discuss with your family and advisors.

Learn more about our host Michelle D Coleman

Your Legacy Your Way Icon Close

Have you considered the legacy you want to leave behind when you are no longer here? Did you know many people include supporting their favourite charitable causes through a gift in their will or estate planning? The options to do so are plentiful and there are some great benefits to the donors, their charities of choice, and because of the tax benefits of making a charitable gift, potentially to the other beneficiaries of your estate. In this session, members of the ECF Philanthropy team will discuss the options you may want to consider when it comes to giving back through your estate. Join us to learn how you can use your estate planning to leave something behind and continue supporting the causes that mean the most to you.

Name that Feud Icon Close

Mike and Allison are “Stayin’ Alive” with another round of Name that Feud. They will give the details of which estate had the feud over the “Little Red Corvette” and will discuss if people can remain Friends after they had made the bold statement “I’ll Be There for You” after death. The game will be Fast and Furious as they discuss the details of famous estates gone wrong all while playing Name that Feud. Who was the Gambler and did not have a Will?

Learn more about our host Michael J. Simons

Learn more about our host Allison Barkwell

PLEASE NOTE:

Sessions are subject to change.

The information contained in these sessions is based on Alberta law and is for general information only and to encourage you to ACT — to get professional assistance to get a good and valid will, personal directive and enduring power of attorney in place to protect your family, your assets and your business.

The information in these sessions is NOT legal or tax advice and does not replace legal or tax advice. Every person has a unique situation. For legal advice about your situation and/or to prepare these important documents make sure to visit a wills & estates lawyer.