Calgary Real Estate, Wills and Estates, and Business Law Blog

Anyone who sells a residential property in Alberta would naturally want to get as much money as possible for it. Having to share the proceeds with a real estate agent can make a significant dent in the financial outcome of such a transaction. The entire process can be navigated with the support and guidance of legal counsel.

One mistake to avoid when going the DIY way is letting emotions rule when deciding on the price at which to list the residence. It might be wise to get an independent third party to help establish a market-related value. It is also crucial for the seller to be prepared for the bidding war and all the other tasks that are typically handled by realtors. One process that can create definite interest is staging the home to highlight its best features and downplay minor deficiencies.

Owners of commercial enterprises in Alberta have to deal with many challenging situations every day. When disputes arise, they might need legal counsel to help resolve issues through mediation rather than civil litigation. It is a process by which the needs, interests and perceptions of each party are shared, and all work to resolve their differences amicably without laying fault to the other party.

Mediation is an informal but confidential process, whereby a professional mediator provides a platform and facilitates negotiations. No party is forced to accept or agree to any particular settlement, and the mediator, who is an independent third party, leaves all decisions for the parties without coercion. The mediator may explain available options that might bring resolve, but he or she may not provide legal advice.

As from the start of this year, safety authorities in Alberta followed the lead of other provinces in prohibiting business owners and employers from enforcing footwear rules that could be harmful to employees. Women in Alberta workplaces are particularly grateful for this rule that will stop harassment by employers and supervisors to force them to wear high heel shoes. Amendments were made to the Occupational Health and Safety Code that will only allow mandatory footwear for safety purposes, such as steel-tipped safety boots, and not for looks or the company's image.

Female housekeepers, servers and bartenders and other positions -- mostly in the hospitality industry -- have had to risk their health for many years by wearing high heels. The Minister of Labour said that preference must be given to healthy workplaces in which women can work safely without wearing footwear that creates safety hazards. According to the government, prolonged wearing of high heels can cause musculoskeletal disorders and painful feet while also posing slip and trip hazards.

It is not uncommon for people to avoid thoughts about their own mortality. However, proper estate planning can provide valuable peace of mind, not only for the event of death but also to prepare for possible incapacitation. Many people in Alberta establish powers of attorney as a part of their estate planning.

A power of attorney is not a person but rather a legal document by which an attorney -- not necessarily a lawyer -- is appointed to handle a person's finances if he or she becomes incapacitated and unable to deal with financial matters. The person who is named as the attorney in the legal document will have access to the testator's banking transactions, including the power to sign cheques. He or she can borrow money and do real estate transactions on behalf of the testator along with any other responsibilities allocated in the power of attorney document.