A Death in Your Family by People's Law School - Information for people who want to know more about what to do first when a family member dies, how to make funeral arrangements, and where to find support. Part of the Clicklaw Wikibooks collection.
Mylawbc.com
This online legal information site provides guided pathways on a number of common issues including one on creating a will. It will guide you through the process of creating a basic will.
Nidus: Provides resources on personal planning (planning for incapacity or end-of-life).
Hospice Care
Nidus Personal Planning and Resource Centre Registry - Personal planning is about planning for incapacity, end-of-life and other support needs. Personal planning formalizes informal help provided by your friends and family and gives them or others the legal authority necessary to help you.
Canadian Virtual Hospice - Information and support on palliative and end-of-life care, loss and grief.
What to do
After a Death (Canada) - outlines what to do when someone dies, at the federal level, such as: canceling a passport, notifying the CRA, contacting credit bureaus to avoid fraud, and claiming life insurance.
Life Events: Death (BC) - what to do when someone dies, at the provincial level. Learn how to register a death in British Columbia and order a death certificate. Get information about wills and estates.
Make a Will Week (October in BC) - to encourage the public to write their will or bring an existing will up-to-date.
Books & Kits (print & digital for purchase)
Self-Counsel Press: Wills- Books, kits, and forms to help you prepare an estate plan, make a legal will or codicil to a will, and write a medical directive or living will or representation agreement.
Consider a Digital Will
To manage your digital estate, consider a Digital Will which outlines what a person would like to happen to their digital assets after they die. It can be a part of your overall will. A digital estate is made up of digital assets and digital accounts.
Digital asset = an individual electronic file. This includes: a photograph taken with your smartphone, an email, a Word document.
Digital account = an online account such as an email account, Facebook account, online banking account, etc.
Why is this important?
Passing on sentimental digital items (photos, emails)
Passing on digital items of monetary value (music accounts, PayPal, eBay)
Subscriptions can continue to charge the estate
Helping people manage your overall estate (access to online banking)
Privacy!
What happens if you don't deal with your digital estate?
It can be nearly impossible for anyone to access your accounts/assets.
The account will most likely: stay online; provide the ability for others to continue to interact; could potentially be at risk for identity theft
Consider what you want:
Accounts shut down immediately
Accounts up temporarily so that others can post condolences?
Assets passed on to a friend or family member
Organize your digital assets now so that you can decide what you want to pass on:
Do not put any passwords in your will itself.
Digital accounts of a business may be an asset of the corporation. Check with a legal professional.
Do you really want to pass on every email? Or a selection of meaningful ones?
How to manage:
Make a list of all digital assets and accounts - Easiest to use a password manager
Create a digital estate plan
Designate a digital estate manager
Include the instructions in your will
Keep your will up to date (check it over once a year)
