Suite 100
Bedford Tower
1496 Bedford Highway,
Bedford, NS.
B4A 1E5

Tel  902-832-2100
Fax  902-832-2323

Wills and Trusts

Bedford Law handles a variety of estate planning matters, including planning for the distribution of an individual's property at his or her death. We prepare wills and trusts to gain the maximum benefit of applicable laws, while carrying out the person's wishes.

Wills & Trusts - A valid will instructs an executor and the court as to the deceased person's wishes for personal and real property distribution and guardianship provisions for children. A trust places assets under the management of a trustee either at the creation of the trust or on the individual's death. A trustee has a fiduciary responsibility to manage the assets until the terms and conditions of the trust have been fulfilled. Bedford Law helps individuals protect their loved ones and plan for the distribution of their property and assets at their death through the drafting and updating of wills and trusts. A will is one of the most important legal documents an individual will ever sign. It is unwise to entrust this aspect of your estate planning to a generic "will kit". Lawyers study wills and estate law and continue to update their knowledge throughout their careers. Hiring a lawyer to personally prepare a customized will for your particular needs and situation is well worth the investment

Probate & Estate Administration - Probate is the legal process by which a person's debts are paid and assets are distributed upon his or her death. Estate Administration includes the probate process as well as non-probate transfers of the deceased's assets. Provincial laws direct the probate court how to distribute the deceased's estate in the event the person died without a will.

Provincial laws and procedures may vary, so it is important to consult a lawyer with expertise in this area of the law to ensure that the deceased's assets are distributed correctly.

Power of Attorney - A document by which a person may appoint another to act in his or her place and stead, a Power of Attorney has become an important aspect of estate planning. Protect your assets by appointing an attorney to represent your interests and manage your affairs in the event you become incapacitated from doing so yourself because of accident, injury or debilitating illness. The attorney chosen by you must be of the highest ethical character, as he or she will have complete authority to collect your accounts, dispose of your assets and pay your liabilities. If a person becomes incompetent to manage his or her own affairs and does not have a valid Power of Attorney previously executed, it may be necessary for a court application to be made pursuant to the Incompetent Persons' Act for an order appointing a legal guardian. The court process can be slow and expensive. Wise planning in advance will help avoid this so the person himself can appoint an attorney who will look after his or her personal needs, assets, and liabilities in the unhappy event of a calamity.

Bedford Law has the necessary experience to assist you in preparing your Power of Attorney.

Some people wish to give instructions to their loved ones as to their future medical care in the event they become terminally ill and are unable to consent or to refuse consent to medical treatment. Consult with the lawyers at Bedford Law to see how you can prepare in advance for such an eventuality.