Malcolm Pritchard, Author at Pritchard & Company Law Firm, LLP.

August 5, 2013

Categories

I’ve been appointed an Attorney and Health Agent- What do I do?

Previous articles in this column have looked at the importance of having an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) and Personal Directive (PD) as part of an estate plan. These documents appoint a person to look after the financial affairs (Attorney) […]

January 22, 2013

Categories

Communication and Successful Family Business Succession Planning

The relationship between family and business creates challenges for succession planning for the family business. The University of Alberta’s Family Business Institute has determined family businesses generate about 60% of Canada’s GDP and create 20% of all new jobs in […]

February 18, 2012

Categories

Estate Planning and the Matrimonial Property Act (MPA)

This column continues last month’s review of the new Alberta Wills and Succession Act (WSA) and its effect on estate planning in Medicine Hat. A person can distribute their property in their Will as they wish. If, however, the property […]

January 21, 2012

Categories

Estate Planning

Government Changes Estate Planning Rules

Previous columns have stressed the importance of reviewing your Will regularly to ensure it is up to date. The passage of time, changes in your circumstances, and changes in the circumstances of persons named in your Will, are good reasons […]

March 21, 2011

Categories

Estate Planning

Supported Decision Making in Medicine Hat

A Personal Directive (PD) is an important document that should be part of your estate plan. Your PD appoints your chosen person to make non-financial decisions about personal matters for you if you lose the mental capacity to make these […]

March 21, 2010

Categories

Estate Planning

Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act

Introduction There are some things worse than death and one of them is how you get there. Losing your mental capacity to make decisions about your health care and financial matters has become a major concern as our population lives […]

February 19, 2009

Categories

Estate Planning

Trusts

A common dilemma in estate planning involves balancing fairness among family members while recognizing the needs of a particular family member. Some examples are: blended families – how to be fair to a second spouse/partner while recognizing children from a […]

October 24, 2007

Categories

Family Trusts and Corporations

Previous articles in this column have looked at probating a Will and alternatives to probating a Will. This article looks at family trusts and corporations as alternatives to probating a Will. Probate is a court procedure established to protect the […]