$8 - Wednesday, December 2, 1992 — North Shore News HELP’S AT HAND HELP’S AT Hand, by North Shore Community Services (NSCS), is a forum for discussing government dolicies and programs, denefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers are intended only as a zeneral guide and should not be applied to individual cases without further consultation. Question: To am the executor of my mother’s estate. Her estate should be easy to deal with; she didn’t have any real estate and there is under $25,000 in other assets. lam (told by her bank that 1 may have to have the wilt ‘‘pro- bated.’ I don’t really know what this means. Do I need to hire 2 lawyer to do this? I'm afecaid that it will be ex- pensive, and 3 can't really afford a legal bill. Answer: To probate means to ‘prove a will.’ It is the way that 2 will is shown to be the laste will ‘of someone who has died. This is rmportant because people often change their wills. As an executor, you must make avery effort to see that your mother’s belongings and assets are distributed exactly as she wished shem to be. When you probate a will you ‘will receive the approval of the zourt to carry out the instructions contained in the will. This does aot involve a personal appearance in court. It does include submit- zing various documents to the zourt registry. Once the documents are ap- proved, the court will issue ‘‘pro- ‘pate’ or ‘*letiers of admiinistra- tion.” You have asked if you will have :o hire a lawyer. The answer is -hat you don’t have to, but many geople choose to have lawyers ap- sly for probate for them. Remember that the lawyer's fees will come out of the estate, so you won't have to pay out of your awn money. in British Columbia and ia avery other Canadian province ex- cept Newfoundland, individuals san handle a probate application without the services of a lawyer. If you are willing to pay close at- cention to detail you will be able ‘o accomplish the task yourself. Dn average, the process will take approximately three months to zomplete. . If you decide to hire a lawyer, de sure to come up with an agreement about the fee. If the fee seems high, then get other estimates. Lawyers will either charge based Mm a percentage of the gross value of the estate, a flat fee, or by the 1our. Once you have agreed on a Zee, get your agreement in writing. if you choose to apply for pro- oate yourself, you will find that ‘here is assistance along the way. The documents that you register aith the court will. be checked over by clerks who will notify you f there are any errors. In the Lower Mainland, the reg- stry is located in the B.C. Supreme Court House at 800 Smithe St. in Vancouver. The celephone number for the probate department is 660-2876. “ You do not have to go to the ‘segistry where you live or where your mother lived, but you can if that is most convenient. Once the documents are filed with the regis- cry, they are sent to a central reg- stry in Victoria. duce, Re f Recycle — BC RECYCLING HOTLINE 132-9253 There is no deadline for probate application after death, The steps of applying for pro- bate are too detailed to explain in this article, but you will find that information in the library, specifically in a book tided Pre- bate Guide for British Columbia: A Step-by-Step) Guide te Pro- bating an Estate. The book is available from most bookstores or from Self Counsel Press at 148i Charlotte Rd. in North Vancouver, 986- 3366. Self-Counsel Press carries the forms required for probate ap- plication. The forms are also available from most bookstores and office supply stores, North Shore residents who can- not afford a lawyer can call the Seniors’ Legal and Financial In- formation Service for general in- formation on probating an estate under $25,000. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. for more in- formation call NSCS at 985-7138. This unique series consists of twelve 25¢ coins, one for each province and territory and 1 Aureate dollar representing the country as u whole. The 1992 Commemorative Silver Dollar A sterling silver tribute to Canada’s early travellers Proof Bz?” Uncirculated iv? Aaah NEWS phota Nei? Tucenie THE LIONS Gate Quilters’ Guild o7 North Vancouver work to assemble about 35 quilts that will be donated to women and children affiliated with Emily Murphy House. Fifty women quilted over two days to complete the project. ERAS MONEE YT eee Say yes by giving a gift of lasting value from our Canadian heritage. The Royal Canadian Mint presents the Canada 125 Coin Series coramemorating Our Nation’s 125th anniversary. 25 THE PERFECT GIFT SET! i Each set comes with an enhancernent card PROOF SILVER SET A Royal blu collection case houses this memorable series in proof finish, Also available individually. The 1992 Uncirculated Set 50 The 1992 Proof Set Gi 75 The 1992 Specimen Set ss Discover incredible values on stunning treasures. Our stores are overflowing with inventory that must be liquidated NOW! Our entire stock of new & estate jewellery, diamonds, gold chains and watches is on sale at prices reduced by as much as 50 to 75% off! For example: * 10 kt. Gold Chains ($10.95/g) from $10 — 600 regular retail price: $35.00/g ° 14k. Diamond Stud Earrings from $40~ 4,500 * 14k Diamond Pendants from $20- 3,000 regular retail price: $60 - $6500 * Cultured Pearl earrings (14k) from ¢ Cultured Pearl strands (14k) from........ 9145 | J&™M COIN, STAMP & JEWELLERY Vancouver 104 W.Broadway «876-7181 Metrotawn Centre 439-0753 , Pea oc Pacitic Centre SINCE 1967 684-9559