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Generosity Education
When the time comes that you need to act on any of these documents, you’ll know that you are fulfilling your parents wishes.
It can be an awkward conversation to start, so let us help you begin the discussion.
During Edmonton Community Foundation’s Wills Week, you’ll be able to attend many free presentations on the importance of maintaining an up-to-date will. Attending with your parents will provide a great opportunity to have important conversations, even asking them candidly:
• when they last updated their will;
• if they made sure to have a personal directive and EPA prepared too; and
• where these documents can be located
There may be cultural or language barriers that have delayed preparation, or they may have based their knowledge on articles written that apply in
other countries or provinces. Being prepared to listen to parents’ concerns and to help them through the necessary steps (like booking a meeting with an estate lawyer) will go a long way in making life easier for you.
Invite your parents to join you for one of the Wills Week presentations which are specifically based on Alberta law and presented for free by Edmonton lawyers.
Harnessing WILL Power
By ECF
24 LEGACY IN ACTION
Have you had the talk with your parents? You know, the talk about end-of-life plans; what they want, what you want and the roles you and others play in various circumstances?
Emotions run high when we are faced with the illness or death of a loved one. That’s why it’s important to have these important conversations early and consider some of the documents that will help you all navigate the future.
1. A Personal Directive: This outlines your parents’ non-financial wishes if they are temporarily (e.g., a hospital stay) or permanently (e.g., loss
of mental capacity) unable to act for themselves during their lifetime.
2. An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA):
Similarly, this document applies during temporary or long-term inability to act on their own during their lifetimes, but it relates to financial and legal matters. Do you know how difficult it is to deal with everyday items like bills, telephone, utilities, etc. if there is not an EPA that names you as the person to act?
3. A Will: The will outlines what is to happen with all of your parents’ belongings, and who has the authority to handle the estate, bank accounts, home, etc.