How Can We Help?
Search for commonly asked questions
Wills & Estate Planning for Low Income Individuals
Low-income individuals in BC can access low-cost wills and estate planning through programs like Access Pro Bono’s Wills & Estates Program, UBC’s LSLAP Clinic, and Seniors First BC’s Elder Law and Advance Planning Clinics.
The Everyone Legal Clinic offers fixed-fee services, while the Lawyer Referral Service provides a 15-minute free consultation.
Programs and clinics
-
Access Pro Bono Wills & Estates Program: Offers province-wide legal services for those who meet financial eligibility criteria.
- UBC’s LSLAP Clinic: Helps low-income individuals in the Lower Mainland draft wills and other legal documents for estates under $25,000.
- Seniors First BC Elder Law Clinic: Assists seniors (55+) with wills and other planning documents, with financial eligibility criteria applying. This is for the Lower Mainland only.
- Seniors First BC Advance Planning Clinics: Offers assistance with wills and planning documents for seniors (55+) in various locations across BC, including Chilliwack, Sechelt, Williams Lake, Prince George, Nanaimo, and Haida Gwaii.
- Everyone Legal Clinic: Provides low-cost legal services on a fixed-fee basis for issues including wills and estates.
- Lawyer Referral Service: Offers a 15-minute free consultation with a lawyer.
How to apply
- For Access Pro Bono: Contact them directly via their online triage form or by calling.
- For UBC LSLAP: Contact them directly to see if you are eligible for their services.
- For Seniors First BC: Check their website for specific clinic dates and locations and book an appointment.
- For Everyone Legal Clinic: Learn more about their services on the Surrey Libraries website or on the Family Law in BC website.
- For Lawyer Referral Service: Contact them to get a referral for a free consultation.
Other resources
- Nidus Registry: Register your will or e-will securely with the Nidus Registry to provide 24/7 access to its location.
- BC Wills Registry: You can register a “wills notice” with the BC Vital Statistics Agency to include information on where your will is located.
- MyLawBC.ca: This website can guide you through your legal issue using a question-and-answer format.