Say the words "personal injury lawyer" to just about anyone and the phrase "ambulance chaser" will come to mind. Therefore it is no surprise that when people are involved in an accident they are apprehensive about contacting a Kelowna lawyer. This article is designed to try and alleviate some of the fears in contacting a…
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If you are injured in an accident in Canada or the US that involves the use or operation of a vehicle licensed in BC then you are likely entitled to ICBC Accident Benefits, also known as Part 7 Benefits and No-Fault Benefits ("Accident Benefits"). Whether you qualify, what you qualify for, and what information you…
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While some wealth is needed to justify the creation of a trust, there are many good reasons why average people should consider including trusts in their planning. A trust can be created when you are alive (an inter vivos trust) or as a result of your death (a testamentary trust) under a Will, or a…
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What is a Trust? A trust is a legal relationship between someone called the "settlor" who establishes the trust together with another person called the "trustee" to receive and hold certain property "in trust" for the benefit of others called the "beneficiaries". A Trust is typically documented by a written agreement called a trust deed…
Read MoreAre Testamentary Trusts useful any more? Testamentary Trusts If your estate plan includes creating a trust in your will or you are a trust beneficiary or an estate trustee, you may be affected by the federal government’s new legislation to tax certain trusts at the top marginal tax rate rather than the lower graduated tax…
Read MoreDespite the title, this article is not about the insurance industry's perspective that a large portion of the population fabricates or exaggerates their symptoms (I'll save that for another day), but is about accident victims who legitimately suffer from psychological injuries as a result of their accidents. Psychological Injuries What is a psychological injury? A…
Read MoreJoint ownership is a topic that comes up frequently in estate planning practice. When two or more people own property in “joint tenancy”, each owner has an undivided interest in the entire property. When one of the owners dies, the property will automatically pass to the surviving owner(s). Joint ownership is attractive because a grant…
Read MoreWherever there is money to be made, there will always be people who are looking to abuse the system. Many of you may have seen insurance scams uncovered on television and may even know or heard about someone who got "more money then they deserved" as a result of being "injured" in an accident. Kids…
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When you're involved in a motor vehicle accident, thoughts of shock and fear may be racing through your mind. It can be hard to remember all the necessary actions you need to take in the event you, or someone around you is involved in a motor vehicle accident. We've compiled a car accident checklist that…
Read MoreThe importance of having a well-drafted employment contract cannot be overstated. There is no ‘right’ to employment in British Columbia. However, in many cases employees have a right to “reasonable working notice” or “severance pay” if they are terminated from their employment without cause. Many employers rely on the Employment Standards Act to determine what…
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