CARP, a new vision of aging, is demanding changes to laws that would making settling small estates easier and less expensive.

The national organization that lobbies for those 50-plus, says thousands of Canadians face big legal bills trying to settle small problems.

CARP cites the case of Margaret McArthur, an Ontario woman, who was advised to hire a lawyer to arrange the transfer of ownership of her late husband’s 14-year old car.  She was charged $1,500, couldn’t pay and now is stuck with a car she can’t transfer or donate to charity.

The rule simplification CARP is after is occurring in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the North West Territories.