Probate and Estate Administration Law
Bringing Probate Services To You
We’re Committed to Excellent Service
Administer an Estate with Ease
The death of a loved one can be stressful enough without the added burden of administering their Estate. The process can seem daunting and complicated by legal terminology. We are experts at administering estates and have managed this process many times, so we can take care of the stress. Our flexible, remote legal services mean we can conduct meetings around your schedule.
Reducing Stress & Complexity
The person appointed to administer an estate, called an executor or personal representative, holds an important legal responsibility. One80 Law is committed to guiding executors and administrators through the estate administration process with compassion and understanding.
Reducing Liability
Our experienced probate lawyers will ensure that the wishes of your loved one are fulfilled in accordance with the law. This helps ensure that you, as executor or administrator, are carrying out your duties properly which will protect you against any future personal liability.
We are here to guide you every step of the way.
Areas Served
Areas Served in British Columbia
| Abbotsford | Burnaby | Campbell River | Chilliwack |
| Coquitlam | Courtenay | Cranbrook | Delta |
| Kamloops | Kelowna | Langley | Maple Ridge |
| New Westminster | North Vancouver | Port Coquitlam | Port Moody |
| Prince George | Richmond | Surrey | Vancouver |
| Vernon | Victoria | West Vancouver | Whistler |
Areas Served in Alberta
| Airdrie | Banff | Beaumont | Brooks |
| Calgary | Camrose | Canmore | Chestermere |
| Cold Lake | Edmonton | Fort McMurray | Fort Saskatchewan |
| Grand Prairie | Lacombe | Leduc | Lethbridge |
| Lloydminster | Medicine Hat | Okotoks | Red Deer |
| Sherwood Park | Spruce Grove | St. Albert | Wetaskiwin |
Areas Served in Ontario
| Toronto | Ottawa | Mississauga | Brampton |
| Hamilton | London | Markham | Vaughan |
| Kitchener | Windsor | Oakville | Richmond Hill |
| Burlington | Oshawa | Greater Sudbury | Barrie |
| Guelph | Cambridge | Whitby | St. Catharines |
Probate Lawyer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario
Probating a will is one of the many crucial steps in winding up an estate. Banks, financial institutions and the land titles office also require an executor (also known as a personal representative) to transact business per the will of the deceased.
The probate process can be tedious at best and legally complex at worst. If you are the executor or administrator of an estate or are in the process of planning your own, One80 Law’s probate lawyer in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario can help you navigate the legal landscape or effectively plan your estate with the probate process in mind.
Probate
Probate is a legal process that confirms the veracity of a will and grants an executor the authority to wind up a deceased’s estate. In winding up the estate, the executor distributes assets to the various beneficiaries, settles outstanding taxes and debts and attends to other matters related to the estate. Probate also appoints administrators to act as executors in cases where individuals have died intestate (without a will) or without naming executors.
To commence the probate of a will, an executor must apply to the local Surrogate Court. During the application process, they are required to submit to the courts the original copy of the will, an inventory of the deceased’s assets and a list of beneficiaries, among other documents. Depending on an estate’s size and complexity, the process may take as little as eight weeks or as long as a year or more – more common for large, complex estates. At the end of the process, the courts issue an executor a Grant of Probate or letters of administration in the case of administrators.
An Executor’s Responsibilities
Being the executor of an estate is a demanding job with many responsibilities and tasks. In addition to applying for a Grant of Probate, an executor is also required to, among other things:
- find and secure the deceased’s assets
- locate beneficiaries
- distribute assets to legitimate beneficiaries
- act as a legal representative for the estate in court
- address any claims made on the estate
- settle any outstanding debts and taxes
- keep records of transactions relating to the estate
- maintain the estate’s accounts
One80 Law’s Role in Probate and Estate Administration
Many legal and financial issues must be appropriately settled within the probate process and general estate administration or an executor may find themselves personally liable. Our probate lawyers can:
- assist executors in understanding the probate process
- prepare and file the requisite paperwork the courts need for the probate process
- determine which assets require probate
- advise and direct executors as to their duties
- guide executors to avoid personal liability
- prepare paperwork for the official transfer of assets to the necessary beneficiaries
- assist executors in understanding a will’s stipulations and how to interpret them
Our Commitment to Excellent Service
Our experienced probate lawyers in British Columbia has helped countless executors to fulfil their fiduciary duties. We have also acted as executors and guided estate planners through crafting plans to care for loved ones after their death. Below are other ways we can help you.
Less Stress
Individuals responsible for administering an estate hold an important responsibility that can cause additional stress during a difficult time. We are committed to guiding executors and administrators through the estate administration process with compassion and understanding.
Reduced Liability
Our knowledgeable probate lawyer ensures that your loved one’s wishes are fulfilled in accordance with the law. We also ensure that, as executor or administrator, you carry out your duties properly, protecting you against any future personal liability.
Contact Our Probate and Estate Administration Lawyer in British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta
If you have been appointed as an executor or need to apply to become a personal representative, please contact One80 Law today. Our probate lawyers will help you navigate all areas of the probate and administration process.
Complete our contact form to request a consultation.
Wills, Estate Planning & Probate Articles
