Have you ever had to administer the estate of a deceased loved one? If so, you already know that it can be quite the task. Good news! On Wednesday, the Alberta government announced that it wants to make the job easier, and the first draft of the new Estate Administration Act passed first reading.
The new law will ultimately repeal the Administration of Estates Act, the Devolution of Real Property Act, and substantive rules from the Surrogate Rules. It is hoped that the new Act will make the laws surrounding estate administration easier to find and understand, which will, in turn, hopefully reduce legal costs and conflicts.
First reading is only the first step, and there are many more to go… so nothing is set in stone yet. Here at CPLEA, we’ll review the information, watch the changes as it goes through second reading and the committee stage, and be sure to keep you posted as to what you can expect, and when.
In the meantime, if you want to participate in the democratic process, have a look at the new legislation (or watch for our updates) and let your MLA know what you think!