Wills and Estates Legal Services

Estate Planning

[Wills, Powers of Attorney & Personal Directives]

Estate Administration

Wills and estate matters can arise at different stages in a person’s life. Some clients may wish to plan ahead by preparing a will and related estate planning documents, while others may require assistance in administering an estate following the death of a family member.
These matters can involve a variety of legal and practical considerations depending on the circumstances involved, the nature of the estate, and the objectives of the individuals involved.

We assist clients in navigating these issues and in addressing wills and estate matters in a practical and informed manner.

Additional information about specific wills and estate services can be found through the links provided above.

Our Wills and Estates Services

Our experience assisting clients with wills and estate matters includes advising and assisting with:

• Preparing wills and related estate planning documents
  
• Estate administration and probate matters
  
• Advising executors and personal representatives
  
• Addressing estate-related legal issues and documentation
  
• Preparing powers of attorney and personal directives
  

Assisting Individuals and Families

Wills and estate matters often involve important personal and financial considerations for individuals and families. Proper planning can help ensure that personal wishes are clearly documented and that estate administration proceeds as smoothly as possible.
We assist clients in addressing these matters and in preparing or administering estate documents with clarity and care.

Leaders in Law: We have been recognized as a Leader in Law for our proficiency in Commercial Law legal advice and services, and are recipients of awards for our expertise in Commercial Law.

Global Law Experts: We are recognized as a Global Law Expert's member for Commercial Law and Business Law, and are recipients of awards for our expertise in Real Estate Law and Commercial Law.

Awards and Recognition: We are honoured to have received awards and recognition for our Commercial Law, Real Estate Law, Wills and Estates, and Notary services some of which are set forth in our reviews page.

Online Legal Fees

Online Account Estimates

Email for a Fee Estimate

Call for a Fee Estimate

We strive to be open and straightforward about our fees with fee estimates and a variety of service and fees options, because we understand that in personal or business matters, cost can be a factor in the opportunities, challenges, milestones and transactions requiring our assistance Find out more about more fees information.

When should I consider preparing or updating a will?

It is generally advisable to have a will in place to ensure that your assets are dealt with in accordance with your intentions. A will should be reviewed and updated where there are changes in personal or financial circumstances, to ensure that it continues to reflect your intentions and to reduce the risk of delays, complications, or issues in the administration of your estate.

Do I need a lawyer to prepare a will?

Online and other alternatives are available and may be suitable in some cases; however, a will operates in circumstances where the testator is no longer able to clarify their intentions. Many individuals choose to work with a lawyer to ensure that the document reflects their understanding and intentions, having regard to their personal and financial circumstances, and to consider how assets, liabilities, and potential claims or competing interests may be addressed. Not all assets may be governed by a will, and proper planning can assist in structuring arrangements accordingly.

Should I also consider incapacity planning documents

Yes. In addition to a will, individuals often consider incapacity planning documents, such as an enduring power of attorney and a personal directive, to address decision-making in the event of incapacity and to reduce the risk of delays, complications, or issues in managing personal or financial affairs.

Do I need to obtain a grant for estate administration?

Whether a grant is required will depend on the nature of the assets, liabilities, and circumstances of the estate. Legal advice can assist in determining whether a grant is necessary and how to proceed with the administration.

WHEN SHOULD I SEEK LEGAL ADVICE FOR ESTATE ADMINISTRATION?

It is generally advisable to seek legal advice at an early stage of estate administration, and preferably before taking steps in relation to estate assets or liabilities, to reduce the risk of incurring liability from intermeddling,  delays, complications, or issues and to ensure that the administration proceeds in an orderly manner. Early advice can assist in determining whether a grant is required and how best to proceed with the administration of the estate.

Want to know more about wills, estates, elder law, enduring power of attorneys, personal directives, estate planning, estate administration, probate and rights and obligations of personal representatives, beneficiaries, executors and executrixes?

Click for our Blog

Contact us to see if we can assist you or our Lopatka Law Blog page includes some of the following legal articles:

1. Including and Excluding Family Members from your Estate Plan.
2. Why Blended Families [Step Parents and Step-Children] may need a will.
3. Difference between a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and Personal Directive.
4. The Role of the Personal Representatives [Trustee, Executor, Executrix].
5. The Powers of the Personal Representatives [Trustee, Executor, Executrix].
6. Administering an Estate with probate and without probate.
7. Alberta Surrogate Court Probate Fees.

and our blog covers more than just this area of the law with additional legal articles posted from time to time.