Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring to an appointment?
Identification: We require one piece of unexpired government issued photo identification at a minimum such as a passport, a drivers license or an identification card.
Some mortgage companies require that we provide two pieces of identification. If you do have a passport or other identification, please bring it with you.
Documentation: Bring any documentation you have that relates to the subject of the appointment.
Payment Methods?
We accept Cash, Cheques, Debit + Interact E-Transfer.
Interact E-Transfer Instructions:
Please send payment to accounting@gishlaw.com + include the following details:
Security Question: Who do I pay?
Security Answer: Gishlaw
Please also include within the message area:
Your file number
Your full name
This information is important so we know who to apply this payment to.
Where are you located?
#4 , 4737 – 49B Avenue, Lacombe just East of the Lacombe Fire Department. Click here for more details.
What is an RPR?
An RPR is a Real Property Report created by a professional Land Surveyor. The RPR is to show the state of all improvements on the property including the buildings, decks and fences. If you are selling your home, most contracts require the Seller to provide a CURRENT RPR.
Do take a close look at the RPR you have on hand to make sure it is in fact accurate. Often you can negotiate that you will provide the existing RPR which may not show a shed or fence for example.
The RPR needs to come with a Certificate of Compliance from the municipality to confirm that all improvements on your property are in compliance with municipal bylaws.
What is Compliance?
A Certificate of Compliance is written confirmation from the municipality where your land is located, that development on that property meets current bylaws.
It is not unusual to have a compliance letter that says, for example, the “current location of the home is not in compliance but remain as a non-conforming improvement.”
As municipalities evolve, land use bylaws change, so the property may have been in compliance when it was built, but it is not in compliance with current rules.
What is Title Insurance?
Title insurance is an insurance that protects property owners and their lenders against the risk that the property being purchased is not in compliance with municipal bylaws. It does not protect known defects, nor does it protect you from defects you create.
We also use Title Insurance in order to cover the gap in time between the date your deal is closing and the date the transfer of land or registration of security actually occurs.
Some lenders require title insurance as a condition to advance funds, others may not if an accurate Real Property Report with proof of Municipal compliance can be ordered.
As a Seller or Buyer, often title insurance is used with an existing real property report and compliance that is not up to date due to a minor change such as a fence, shed or deck.
Cost of incorporating?
As of October 2022, our base fee for incorporating is $600 + expenses ranging from $500 to $600. Price depends on whether you are naming your corporation (which requires a name search), or using a randomly issued number (ie. 123459 Alberta Ltd.) which is less expensive.
Annual Returns need to be filed. Our office will serve as your registered office if you wish. Expect annual fees of $180 to $230, plus expenses of approximately $100 for preparing your annual minutes + filing your annual returns with corporate registries.
For the cost of creating a Professional Corporation, please contact our corporate assistant for a quote Toni King.
Do we need a Corporate Seal?
It is common practice for a corporation to use its seal on legal documents. However, business corporations are not required to use a corporate seal.
How much does it cost to do a Will?
Our current fees are outlined in our Wills Questionnaire.
I need to do my Will, is it complicated?
Not at all, we have a Questionnaire to get you started. Our practice is to have you review and fill in the Questionnaire to the best of your ability.
We do not expect your circumstances to be covered completely by a generic questionnaire, but it allows us to get a draft started for you.
We will send you the drafts to review before your appointment. At the appointment you and Corey Gish will have full discussion about your situation and the document will be customized to your situation. Expect your appointment to take about 1.5 hours.
What is a Personal Directive?
A Personal Directive is an instruction to the person you appoint as your Agent to manage your personal decisions if you are alive, but no longer have the capacity to manage your own decisions relating to your health and well being.
For more details to consider, please download our Wills Questionnaire.
What is an Enduring Power of Attorney?
An Enduring Power of Attorney is an instruction to the person you appoint as your Attorney to mange your financial affairs if you are alive but no longer have the capacity to manage your own financial affairs.
For more details to consider, please download our Wills Questionnaire.
Difference between Notary & Commissioner?
In Alberta, a Notary is usually a Lawyer. At Gish Law, most of our staff are qualified as a Commissioner of Oaths. Whether you need a Notary or Commissioner is often dependent on the document. Generally, for documents staying within Alberta, they can be sworn in front of a Commissioner. If it is leaving the province, you will usually require a Notary Public.
For more details, please click here.
