Wills Week. October 6-10. Learning
Every October, we partner with volunteer wills and estate lawyers to offer a week of FREE sessions to help you plan for the future.
Having a valid will ensures you decide who receives your assets, who will administer your estate, and who will care for dependent children (even furry ones).
This year, we’re happy to offer a variety of topics in person and online. Check out the schedule below.
- Wills & Estates 101 (English and French)
- Estate Administration 101
- Estate Taxes
- Claims Against the Estate
- Succession and Estate Planning for Entrepreneurs
- Your Legacy, Your Way
- Wills & Estates Questions & Answers
After loved ones are provided for, many people also choose to leave a lasting gift to the community. Consider working with ECF to create an endowment fund that gives forever.
Wills Week 2025 Schedule
We’re pleased to offer 14 different sessions this year. The detailed schedule, including day, time, and location, is in the accordions below. For in-person sessions, no registration is required. For online sessions, please register through the Eventbrite link beside the session name.
Thanks to our volunteer lawyers for making Wills Week possible!
Wills & Estates 101
If you’ve been putting off writing a will or aren’t sure where to start, this session is for you. We’ll walk through the basics of estate planning in clear, simple terms. You’ll learn why having a will matters, what key documents are involved, and how to begin creating a plan that reflects your wishes.
Monday, October 6 | 10:00-11:30am
Central Lions Seniors Association (Small Auditorium)
Presentation by Kayla Thompson, Duncan Craig LLP.
Monday, October 6 | 6:30-8:00pm
WEBINAR: Register in advance here
Presentation by Anna-May Choles, Rackel & Company LLP.
Tuesday, October 7 | 2:00-3:30pm
Mill Woods Seniors & Multicultural Centre (Room 231)
Presentation by Janaia Fedor, Barr LLP.
Thursday, October 9 | 6:30-8:00pm
Central Lions Seniors Association (Large Auditorium)
Presentation by Nancy Streng and Jessica Ansell, Fit Family Law.
Testaments Et Successions 101 (en Fraincais)
Si vous avez repoussé la rédaction d’un testament ou si vous ne savez pas par où commencer, cette session est faite pour vous. Nous passerons en revue les bases de la planification successorale en termes clairs et simples. Vous apprendrez pourquoi il est important d’avoir un testament, quels sont les documents clés impliqués (comme les directives personnelles et la procuration permanente) et comment commencer à élaborer un plan qui reflète vos souhaits.
Mercredi 8 Octobre | 12 h à 13 h 30
WEBINAIRE: Inscrivez-vous à l’avance ici
Présenté par Carmen Boucher, Kurie Moore LLP
Estate Administration 101
Being named as someone’s executor is an honour, but it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you don’t have to figure it out alone. This session explains what an executor does, how to prepare for the role, and what to expect when carrying out someone’s final wishes. You’ll also learn how to choose the right executor for your estate plan.
Monday, October 6 | 2:00-3:30pm
South East Edmonton Seniors Association (Café)
Presentation by Victoria Jones, de Villars Jones.
Wednesday, October 8 | 2:00-3:30pm
Mill Woods Seniors & Multicultural Centre (Room 229)
Presentation by Ben Taylor, Barr LLP.
Thursday, October 9 | 6:30-8:00pm
Northgate Lions Seniors Recreation Centre (Gymnasium)
Presentation by Kendall Cairns, Cairns Law.
Estate Taxes
Taxes don’t end after life does — and understanding how they can affect your estate can make a big difference. This session covers what you need to know about taxes after death, including common questions, key responsibilities of executors and tips to minimize stress and cost.
Thursday, October 9 | 10:00-11:30am
WEBINAR: Register in advance here
Presentation by Michelle D. Coleman, MNP
Claims Against the Estate
Disputes can arise after someone passes away. This session will explore the types of claims that may be brought against an estate, how the legal process works, and what you can do in your planning to help reduce conflict and complications for your loved ones.
Tuesday, October 7 | 10:00-11:30am
Westend Seniors Association (Games Room)
Presented by Patty Ko, Field Law.
Succession and Estate Planning for Entrepreneur
If you own a business, your estate plan needs to cover more than just personal matters — it needs to protect what you’ve built. This session helps entrepreneurs think about what happens to the business when they are no longer around. Learn how to plan for a smooth succession transition, support your loved ones and team, and leave a lasting legacy.
Tuesday, October 7 | 6:30-8:00pm
Your Legacy, Your Way
Have you thought about the legacy you’d like to leave? Many people choose to include charitable giving in their estate plans, ensuring their support for the causes they love continues into the future. These gifts can create lasting community impact while also offering tax advantages that may benefit both your charities of choice and your loved ones. Join our Philanthropy team to explore the many ways you can give back through your will.
Thursday, October 9 | 1:00-2:30pm
WEBINAR: Register in advance here
Wills and Estates Q&A
Have questions about wills and estate planning? This session is for you. Alberta estate experts will answer your questions about estate planning, wills, and more. Register on Eventbrite and submit your questions ahead of time.
Friday, October 10 | 10:00-11:30am
WEBINAR: Register in advance here
Presented by Michael J. Simons, McCuaig Desrochers LLP and Alison Barkwell, Barr LLP.
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.