COMMUNITY

Navigating Blended Family Wills and Estate Options

Lawyer Paul Hergott outlines estate planning considerations and tactical options for individuals navigating blended family wills and stepchild inheritances.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 14, 2026

Current Editor

Managing Assets in Blended Families

In blended families where stepchildren are involved, conventional mirror wills can sometimes lead to unwanted outcomes. Under a standard arrangement, combined assets pass entirely to the surviving partner, and subsequently to designated heirs upon the second spouse’s death. However, when a stepparent wishes to prevent their half of the estate from passing to a stepchild, alternative strategies may be considered.

Unilateral Options and Tactical Considerations

If a spouse outlives their partner and gains full ownership of combined assets, drafting a new will allows them to alter how their portion is distributed. This can be accomplished independently, effectively revoking any prior will without notifying the original law firm holding the documents. Alternatively, individuals may assess life expectancy factors or choose to address estate adjustments directly with their spouse, which could include negotiating legal agreements or presenting an ultimatum regarding asset division.

Potential Risks and Reciprocal Actions

Spouses should remain aware that estate planning actions can be taken by either party. If one partner suspects that agreed-upon distribution plans will not be honoured after their passing, they may also make confidential updates to ensure their personal share of the wealth is directed straight to their chosen beneficiaries.

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COMMUNITY

The week ahead in West Coast: Mon 28 September — Sun 4 October

2 things to do in West Coast, Mon 28 September — Sun 4 October.

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2026

Current Editor

The West Coast Current · What’s on

The week ahead

Mon 28 September — Sun 4 October

Seven days of what’s on, and what to keep an eye on.

The week at a glance Mon 28 September — Sun 4 October

Mon 28

Nothing yet

Tue 29

Nothing yet

Wed 30

Nothing yet

Thu 1

11 am Event: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation House of Huu-ay-aht 5 pm Harvesters Meeting Anacla Government Office, 170 Nookemus Rd., Anacla

Fri 2

Nothing yet

Sat 3

Nothing yet

Sun 4

Nothing yet

What’s on

What’s on 2 events

1 Thu

Event: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Time: 11 am
Where: House of Huu-ay-aht

ʔuuy̓ałukḥʔi (Take Care. Be Safe). On Thursday, October 1, Huu-ay-aht First Nations will be hosting National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Anacla.

Details from the organiser

1 Thu

Harvesters Meeting

Time: 5 pm
Where: Anacla Government Office, 170 Nookemus Rd., Anacla

histaqšiƛukʷitin hihiqstup nism̓aakqin (Everything we have came from the land). Harvesters Meeting!

Details from the organiser

Also coming up 8 of 11

Mon, Oct 5 Anacla Womens Groups
Tue, Oct 6 Salmon Canning Workshop
Sat, Oct 10 Vancouver Island Regional Library – Halloween Swap
Tue, Oct 13 Tseshaht’s Men’s Group – Drum Making
Mon, Oct 19 Anacla Womens Groups
Wed, Oct 28 SAVE THE DATE 2026 Health Ability Fair
Fri, Nov 13 Pen Pals
Fri, Nov 20 Information Session for 2026 People’s Assembly

Dates and names only — we confirm the details with each organiser in the edition that runs them.

Running something? Get it in front of your neighbours.

The West Coast Current publishes this every week for readers looking for something to do. Listing is free, and what you send us is what runs — so check the details before you send them. Or post it to your municipal calendar and we will find it.

COMMUNITY

Fewer Black Bears Killed as Pacific Rim Communities See Drop in Wildlife Conflicts

Black bear conflicts and lethal encounters have dropped significantly in Tofino and Ucluelet this year, supported by new local enforcement initiatives.

Published

1 week ago

September 26, 2026

Current Editor

Significant Reduction in Local Bear Mortality

Lethal encounters with black bears in the Tofino and Ucluelet area have fallen sharply this year, with just a single bear dispatched. The outcome marks a contrast to 2025, when 12 bears were killed due to food conditioning. According to Chris Read of WildSafeBC Pacific Rim, many of the animals killed in 2025 had become heavily accustomed to accessible, unsecure human food sources during the preceding two years.

Read noted that black bears are currently sticking to natural food, even though unsecured attractants remain present across the region. While bears are being displaced from traditional habitats, Read emphasized their ability to adapt around human populations and stressed the importance of securing garbage to minimize human-wildlife friction.

Garbage Remains Top Provincial Attractant

Data from WildSafeBC highlights secure waste management as the primary factor in reducing interactions. Provincial statistics show that between 2014 and 2018, the BC Conservation Officer Service logged 21,020 reports citing garbage as an attractant. The second highest cause—residential fruit trees and gardens—accounted for 5,395 reports over the same timeframe.

Proactive Enforcement and Community Integration

In an effort to address the issue locally, Ucluelet established a pilot program this past summer by hiring Cameron McKieve as a wildlife safety response officer. Working alongside conservation officers, McKieve initiated 50 enforcement actions, conducted 36 educational interactions, issued eight municipal tickets, and served six provincial warnings or orders. He has since been retained as a full-time municipal bylaw officer.

Due to the current provincial election period, representatives from the BC Conservation Officer Service and McKieve are unable to provide interviews while the provincial government operates under caretaker restrictions limited to essential communications.

WildSafeBC’s local outreach incorporates traditional cultural knowledge from the Nuu-chah-nulth people regarding coexistence with wildlife. Read expressed optimism that residents will continue learning to respect bears at a distance to prevent animals from becoming habituated or aggressive.