Author: Clicklaw Editor

Clicklaw Monthly Roundup: September 2020

New on Clicklaw

We share with you a monthly roundup of changes to Clicklaw’s collection. Here is a summary of updates done in September 2020.

Solve Problems

Disability Tax Credit Tool (new)
by Disability Alliance BC
The Canadian Disability Tax Credit (DTC) can help reduce the taxes you or someone who supports you owe, and offers other great benefits. To apply, your healthcare provider will need to fill out the DTC Certificate (form T2201). This tool is designed to give them the info needed to fill out that form.

Legal Aid BC

Reform & Research

Disaggregated demographic data collection in British Columbia: The grandmother perspective
by BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
This report reaffirms the calls to collect disaggregated data to advance human rights. It offers a framework for disaggregated data collection that is grounded in “the grandmother perspective”. The framework defines the important difference between tools, process and purpose.

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Make-A-Will Week 2020

Community posts

October 4 to 10 is Make a Will Week! The government of British Columbia designated the week to encourage the public to write or update their will.

Will making is getting even more manageable. Remote witnessing of will signing is now a permanent part of BC law. Recognition of electronic wills is coming soon once tweaks to the probate rules are made to allow for the filing of electronic wills.

Why do I need a will? Why should I make one?

A will is a legal document that leaves instructions about what you want to be done with everything you own after your death. If you die without a will, your property will be divided according to the law in BC. It could make things more difficult for your loved ones.

I want to make a will. What should I do?

You could start by reading any of the free resources available for British Columbians. Go to the Courthouse Libraries BC website for a complete list of resources and services prepared for various audiences: http://bit.ly/clbcwills. At the Wills & Personal Planning Resources page, you could also find information about personal planning documents, such as Representation Agreements and Enduring Power of Attorney.

Printable handouts

For a quick overview, this one-pager for everyone (PDF) comes handy. The handout is also available for public librarians & community helpers (PDF), as well as for lawyers & legal professionals (PDF). Feel free to print and distribute these handouts, but please highlight the short URL that directs back to the Wills & Personal Planning Resources page: http://bit.ly/CLBCwills.

Any public events to help me get started?

Check out the listings in our October Events post. Different non-profit organizations hold free or low-cost webinars to help you with various topics around wills. They are listed below in alphabetical order, along with description taken from their website:

  • Nidus – is currently the only community-based resource in Canada devoted to personal planning. Its existence sets British Columbia apart as a leader in addressing the critical needs of an ageing population.
  • People’s Law School – provides free education and information to help people effectively deal with the legal problems of daily life.
  • Plan Institute – works to improve the lives of people with disabilities by collaborating on community-based projects, offering a suite of learning initiatives, and advocating for policy reform.

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