Estate Trusts Lawyers in Vancouver, British Columbia
Setting up estate trust funds may be an effective solution if you are looking to pass on assets to beneficiaries. Trust funds can help you maintain some control over how and when your assets are distributed, as well as helping to minimize taxes for heirs and bypass probate. At Vest Estate Lawyers in Vancouver, our lawyers can help you consider your trust fund options and establish your funds so that they reflect your wishes.
What is a trust?
Estate trusts are important estate planning tools that allow another party (the “trustee”) to take ownership of title to property or assets while you are living and hold them for a beneficiary. Assets held in a trust can include cash, investments, real estate, or life insurance policies. Trusts are tax-effective ways to pass on assets and can help keep asset values private while reducing the prospect of estate litigation.
What are the different types of trusts?
The trust type you need depends on what you want to achieve with your assets. Most people must first make a basic decision between creating a testamentary trust or a living trust. A testamentary trust enables you to pass on assets after you die and is set up in your will, while a living trust allows you to transfer assets while you are still alive in a tax-effective way that may also save the executor’s fees and probate taxes for beneficiaries.
How will your trust fund lawyer assist in Vancouver?
Once a trust fund lawyer from Vest Estate Lawyers has helped you identify the type of trust you need, we will help you complete the paperwork to set it up as required and to ensure that it is legally valid. Trust funds should be treated as a part of your overall estate plan, and we can use our experience to advise you on how best to protect your interests and those of your loved ones.
Can you set up a trust fund without a lawyer in British Columbia?
There is no legal requirement to hire a lawyer to set up a trust. However, the many options available, the paperwork, record-keeping requirements, and tax implications are so complex that few people are equipped to navigate all the hurdles alone. Having the guidance of an estate planning lawyer experienced in setting up trusts provides the peace of mind that the “i’s have been dotted and the t’s crossed.”
Make trusts a part of your estate plan in British Columbia
Most people consider trust funds as a step in their broader estate plan when preparing a will, power of attorney, and so on. Either way, an estate planning lawyer at Vest Estate Lawyers in Vancouver is ready to listen to your goals and advise you of your options.
Our Vancouver intake staff are standing by to help you. Call 778-452-0221 [toll free 1-877-402-1004] or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
We also have a dedicated intake form to help you get the ball rolling. Our intake team will review your specific case and advise you on the next steps to take, as well as what to expect moving forward.
Our Vancouver office is open 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m., Mon—Fri.
Conan Taylor
MANAGING PARTNER
Conan Taylor is the managing partner of Vest Estate Law. He specializes in the area of workplace law, including labour, employment, and commercial litigation matters. In his over 20 years of practice, Mr. Taylor has represented both individuals and corporations, respecting their workplace law matters.
