Estate Planning Lawyer in Edmonton

What Can an Estate Planning Lawyer in Edmonton Do for You?

An estate planning lawyer in Edmonton helps you take control of what happens to your family and your assets. A solid estate plan gives you control. It also gives your family clarity during a hard time.

If you need an estate planning lawyer in Edmonton or rural Alberta, Driessen De Rudder Law Office is here to help. We work with families, farmers, and business owners across the Edmonton area to build clear legal plans that reflect your real wishes, not the government’s default rules.

At Driessen De Rudder Law Office, we help you put the right documents in place so your wishes are clear and legally protected. Here is what we handle:

• Wills. A legally valid will under the Wills and Succession Act that reflects your exact wishes and protects your estate.
• Enduring powers of attorney. A document that lets a trusted person manage your finances if you cannot.
• Personal directives. A directive that names who speaks for your medical and personal wishes if you lose capacity.
• Trusts. Structured under the Trustee Act for situations where you need more control over how assets are held or passed on.
• Farm and business succession planning. Plans that keep your operation running and reduce tax when ownership changes.
• Estate administration. Support for your loved ones through every legal step after a death, from probate to distribution.

Why Waiting on Your Estate Plan Costs More Than You Think

Putting off estate planning feels harmless, but it is not a neutral choice. The longer you wait, the more you leave to chance.

Alberta has its own laws governing estates. Without a will, Alberta’s intestacy rules, found in the Wills and Succession Act, decide who receives your assets. The court may appoint someone to manage your estate who you never would have chosen. Your family could wait months, or even years, before anything is resolved.

Life also changes in ways that affect your plan. Events such as marriage, divorce, a new child, or a property purchase can make an old plan outdated. An outdated plan can cause just as many problems as no plan at all.

Alberta law also allows you to plan for incapacity, not just death. An enduring power of attorney lets a trusted person manage your finances if you become unable to do so. A personal directive names who makes your medical and personal decisions.

Without these documents, the court may have to step in. That process is slow, costly, and out of your hands.

Why Families Across Alberta Choose Driessen De Rudder

Driessen De Rudder Law Office has been serving Barrhead and rural Alberta for more than six decades. Our lawyers are not just legal professionals; they are members of this community. They know this land, these families, and what matters most to people who call this region home.

Lawyers Who Know Alberta Law and This Community

Brant C. De Rudder was raised in Dunstable, Alberta, and earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees from the University of Alberta. He articled at Driessen Law Office and was the first person admitted to the bar in the Barrhead Provincial Court House. He is an active member of the Barrhead Chamber of Commerce and the Knights of Columbus, and gives back to the community through youth programs and martial arts instruction.

Martin M. Driessen K.C. is from Barrhead and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Law degree from the University of Alberta. He has held the title of King’s Counsel since 2000. King’s Counsel (K.C.) is a designation awarded by the province to recognize exceptional legal skill and years of distinguished service. It reflects the trust placed in him by the Alberta legal community.

Full Coverage Under One Roof

We handle every part of your estate plan in one place. Wills, enduring powers of attorney, personal directives, trusts, farm succession plans, and estate administration, all of it. You do not need to go to different lawyers for different pieces of your plan.

For farmers and business owners, this matters even more. Farm estates involve land, livestock, and a working operation. Transfers must be carefully structured to reduce tax and keep the farm running after ownership changes. We understand Alberta farming law and the unique needs that come with passing on a working operation.

Plain Language, Personal Attention

We skip the legal jargon. You get clear answers, plain terms, and practical next steps. We take time to listen before we give advice. Every plan reflects your life, not a template, not a checklist.

Some clients come in ready to act. Others need more time to think things through. We meet you where you are.

How the Estate Planning Process Works at Our Firm

Estate planning in Alberta follows a clear path. At Driessen De Rudder Law Office, we keep every step simple and direct. Here is what to expect.

Step 1: Your First Meeting

We start by listening. You share your family situation, your assets, and your goals. No paperwork yet, just an open conversation. We ask the right questions so nothing gets missed. You leave with a clear picture of what documents you need and why.

Step 2: Review of What You Already Have

We look at any current wills, powers of attorney, or property titles you hold. We check for gaps, conflicts, or anything that needs updating. Many people are surprised to find that an older will no longer reflects their current family or financial situation. We flag any issues right away and explain what they mean.

Step 3: Building Your Plan

We match your goals to the right legal tools, such as a will, a personal directive, or an enduring power of attorney. For farmers or business owners, this may also include a succession plan. We explain every option in plain terms. You decide. We guide. There is no pressure to do more than you need.

Step 4: Drafting Your Documents

We draft each document with care. You review everything before you sign. We walk you through each part so you know exactly what it means and why it is there. No surprises. No fine print left unexplained. If you have questions, we take the time to answer them fully before we move on.

Step 5: Signing and Making It Legal

Alberta law requires wills to be signed with two witnesses. We make sure all signing rules under the Wills and Succession Act are met. Once signed, your plan is legally valid and ready to protect your family. You leave with documents you understand and a plan you can trust.

Step 6: Support as Your Life Changes

A good estate plan is not a one-time event. Marriage, divorce, a new child, a property purchase, or a business change can all affect your plan. We stay available to review and update your documents when your life changes.

When the time comes, we also support your loved ones through the legal steps that follow, from probate to the final transfer of assets.

Most estate plans are completed within a few weeks.

Start Your Estate Plan With Our Edmonton Team Today

Estate planning is one of the most caring things you can do for the people you love. A clear plan protects your family, honors your wishes, and removes doubt during an already difficult time.

You do not need to have everything figured out before you reach out. That is exactly what the first meeting is for. We listen to your situation, explain your options, and help you decide what makes sense for your family, with no legal jargon and no pressure.

Whether you need a will, a power of attorney, a trust, or help with a farm succession plan, we walk through your choices with you.

Driessen De Rudder Law Office serves Edmonton, Barrhead, and families across rural Alberta. Contact us today to book your meeting online.

FAQs

Do I need a will if I already have beneficiaries named on my accounts?

Naming a beneficiary on an RRSP or life insurance policy is a smart step, but it does not replace a will. A will covers assets that do not have named beneficiaries like your car, furniture, or personal property. Without one, those assets are distributed under Alberta’s intestacy rules, which may not reflect what you intended.

What happens if I die without a will in Alberta?

Your estate is distributed under the Wills and Succession Act. The province follows a fixed formula to decide who receives what. Your spouse, partner, or children may receive shares you would not have chosen. A will lets you rather than the government decide.

Can I update my will after it is made?

Yes. You can update your will at any time while you have mental capacity. Marriage, divorce, a new child, or a major asset change are all good reasons to review your plan. Changes can be made through a new will or a codicil, which is a legal document that amends a specific part of an existing will.

What is a personal directive and do I need one?

A personal directive is a legal document that names someone to make personal and medical decisions for you if you lose the ability to make them yourself. Under Alberta’s Personal Directives Act, it works alongside your will and your enduring power of attorney. Together, these three documents form a complete estate plan.

How is farm succession planning different from a standard estate plan?

Farm estates involve land, livestock, and a working business not just personal assets. Transfers must be carefully structured to reduce tax and keep the operation running after ownership changes. A standard will often does not address these needs. A lawyer who understands Alberta farming law can build a plan that protects both the farm and the family.