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HERGOTT: Investigating the Wills Registry
Public records can reveal a will, probate filings and property ownership, but they may still miss assets passed outside the estate.
- Lawyer Paul Hergott explains that public tools allow individuals to investigate a deceased person's estate in British Columbia, though these resources rarely reveal the full picture of wealth transfer.
- The Vital Statistics Agency maintains the Wills Registry, where anyone with a Death Certificate can search for Wills Notices to locate clues about estate planning dates and storage locations.
- Searching Court Services Online by the deceased's name reveals if estate proceedings have been commenced; if filed, materials include a copy of the will and statement of assets—a "gold mine" of information.
- Investigating real estate title often proves crucial since property is frequently a significant asset; users can find a unique 9-digit Parcel Identifier using "Parcelmap BC" to obtain certificates from Land Titles.
- These public tools provide helpful clues but unlikely reveal all wealth, as assets may pass outside the will; anyone concerned about potential "funny business" should promptly consult an estate litigation lawyer.
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3 Articles
3 Articles
Penticton Western News+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
HERGOTT: Investigating the Wills Registry
Column by Paul Hergott
Coverage Details
Total News Sources3
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Left
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources lean Left
100% Left
L 100%
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