Court Orders Curing Deficiencies in Wills: What Will-Makers and Executors Should Know
Insights
This is a growing practice area given the demographics of BC’s population, the complexities of the new wills and estates legislation, the financial burden of the Provincial and Federal tax structures, and the number of individuals with substantial estates including investments in multiple jurisdictions.
Our Estate Planning Services include structuring estate plans, wills drafting, structuring and implementing trusts (including family trusts, alter-ego / joint partner trusts) as well as incapacity planning. We work closely with tax advisors to develop and implement strategies to minimize taxes, probate fees, and estate administration costs. We pride ourselves in taking a hands-on approach to understanding our clients’ real needs, and then develop and implement a cost-effective estate plan. We regularly provide advice concerning the related areas of enduring powers of attorney, representation agreements, and health care directives as well as multi-jurisdictional estate planning.
Acting as an Executor or Administrator can be a demanding burden. We regularly assist clients in the administration of both uncontested and contested estates including locating beneficiaries and wills, and preparing all documents necessary to obtaining representation grants. We also assist Executors and Administrators in dealing with income taxes and estate liabilities, preparing and passing accounts, and distributions to beneficiaries.
On the litigation side, we represent clients in all levels of court and in alternative dispute resolutions such as mediations in relation to contested wills, wills variation claims, mental capacity challenges, constructive trust claims, and other estate related matters.
Our clients include high net worth individuals, families and businesses, financial institutions and the Public Guardian & Trustee.
