Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our services? We’ve answered some of the most common ones below to help guide you through the process with clarity and confidence.
General
Yes, we offer a free 20-minute consultation to help you decide if our services are the right fit for your needs. During this call, we’ll learn more about your situation, answer initial questions, and guide you on how to move forward — with no pressure or obligation.
While our primary focus is on Wills, Estates, and Probate law, we also offer Corporate Services. This includes Will creation, Powers of Attorney, Personal Directives, and Estate Administration. We also bring experience in Family Law, Civil Litigation, Corporate Law, and more – all delivered with clarity, compassion, and professionalism.
Megan Chambers Law is primarily a virtual firm, but we understand that some clients prefer in-person meetings. If you’d like to meet with Megan in person, we can arrange a convenient meeting location for a personal consultation at an additional cost.
*Fees for signing meetings at Oakley Family Law’s offices for Estate Documentation are already included in quoted prices
Wills & Estates
A Will is a critical legal document that outlines how your assets will be distributed after your passing. Without a Will, your estate could be subject to provincial laws that may not align with your wishes. Having a Will ensures your assets are distributed as you intend and can help ease the burden on your loved ones during a difficult time.
It’s never too early to create a Will. Ideally, you should have one in place as soon as you turn 18 or when you start accumulating assets, such as property or savings. Life events such as marriage, having children, buying a home, or starting a business are also key moments to review or create a Will.
A Personal Directive is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to make personal decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself due to illness or injury. These decisions can include things like medical treatments, living arrangements, and personal care. It is highly recommended to have a Personal Directive in place, as it ensures your wishes are respected if you’re ever unable to communicate them yourself.
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to make financial decisions and manage your affairs if you are unable to do so. This could involve managing your assets, paying bills, and making other financial decisions on your behalf. Having a Power of Attorney in place is important for ensuring that someone you trust can act on your behalf if you are incapacitated or otherwise unable to manage your financial matters.
Yes, you can update your Will or estate plan at any time, as long as you are of sound mind. It’s a good idea to review your Will periodically, especially after major life changes (e.g., marriage, the birth of a child, or significant financial changes). We offer Will updates and estate planning revisions to ensure your documents remain in line with your current wishes.
Estate Administration & Probate
Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s will is validated by the court. Once granted, the personal representative (executor) is authorized to distribute the estate according to the will.
Estate Administration involves a broader set of tasks, including the management of the estate’s assets, paying debts, filing tax returns, and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. Probate is often a part of estate administration, but estate administration encompasses much more than just the court process.
Probate is the legal process through which a Will is validated, and the estate is administered according to the instructions laid out. If the estate includes assets that need to be transferred to beneficiaries, or there are disputes about the validity of the Will, probate may be necessary. We assist with both the probate process and estate administration to ensure everything is handled properly.
When someone passes away without a Will, their estate is distributed based on Alberta’s Wills and Succession Act. If the deceased was in a legally recognized marriage or an Adult Interdependent Relationship, their partner may have inheritance rights. However, without a Will, the distribution may not align with what the deceased intended, and legal disputes can arise. Having a Will ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes.
If your loved one did not leave a Will, Megan Chambers Law is able to assist with the process of obtaining a Grant of Administration from the courts.
The estate administration process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate, whether probate is needed, and if there are any disputes among beneficiaries. Our goal is to guide you through the process as efficiently as possible while ensuring all legal obligations are met.
In Alberta, the estate may be subject to various taxes, including income tax on income earned by the estate and any applicable capital gains tax on the transfer of assets. Megan Chambers Law can help you navigate these tax matters and ensure the estate complies with tax filing requirements.
While it’s possible to handle some aspects of estate administration without a lawyer, it can be a complicated and time-consuming process, especially when dealing with legal documents, taxes, and potential disputes. Hiring an experienced lawyer ensures that the process is handled correctly and efficiently, saving you time and reducing the risk of mistakes that could delay the administration or lead to legal issues later.
Corporate
We assist with a variety of contract needs, including service agreements, employment and contractor agreements, and commercial leases. Whether you’re starting a new venture or managing an existing business, we can help ensure your contracts are clear, enforceable, and tailored to your goals.
Yes. Megan Chambers Law provides practical legal support for entrepreneurs and small business owners. From reviewing contracts to answering legal questions about business operations, we offer advice that helps you make confident, informed decisions.
Fractional Legal Counsel means having ongoing access to legal support without the cost of a full-time in-house lawyer. It’s ideal for small businesses that need consistent guidance on legal matters but prefer a flexible, scalable arrangement—either hourly, on a fixed-fee basis, or by project.