Category: Probate
Have questions about a topic?
Our Services
Can You Contest a Probate Application in BC?
Yes, you can contest a probate application in British Columbia, but the process depends on what you are challenging. Disputes over a will’s validity, adequate provision for a spouse or child, an executor’s appointment, or delaying probate before it is granted are all separate legal procedures. Each has different deadlines, standing requirements, and remedies, so […]
Is Probate Necessary If There Is A Will?
When a loved one passes away, one of the first questions families ask is: “Is it necessary to go through probate if there is a will?” The short answer is that most often, yes. Having a last will and testament does not automatically mean you can avoid probate. In British Columbia, whether probate is required […]
How to Avoid Probate in BC
Estate planning in BC can feel complex, but having clear goals makes the process much simpler. If you want to avoid probate in BC, there are effective strategies to reduce or bypass it, lowering fees and easing estate administration. You can achieve this by using joint ownership, naming beneficiaries on accounts and insurance policies, creating […]
Why Do Wills Go to Probate in Canada?
Quick answer: A will goes to probate so a court can confirm it is the deceased’s valid last will and formally recognize the executor’s authority to act. Probate gives third parties — banks, the Land Title Office, investment firms — the assurance they need before releasing assets or transferring property into the estate’s or beneficiaries’ […]
| Probate
How to Probate a Will in BC
To probate a will in British Columbia, the executor applies to the Supreme Court’s probate registry — after giving at least 21 days’ notice to beneficiaries and heirs — for a grant of probate confirming their authority to administer the estate. Probate fees are set by the Probate Fee Act on the value of the […]
| Articles, Contract, Costs, Litigation, Probate
How to Calculate Capital Gains on Inherited Property in Canada
Short answer: In Canada, you don’t inherit a capital gains bill directly — the estate does. The CRA treats the deceased as selling everything at fair market value the moment before death, and half of any gain is taxable on their final return. A principal residence exemption or a spousal rollover can reduce or defer […]
Probate Fees Calculator
A probate fee calculator is a tool that helps estimate the fees an executor must pay to the court when administering a deceased person’s estate. In British Columbia, probate is the legal process by which the court validates a will and authorizes the executor to manage and distribute the estate. Using a probate fees calculator […]
How Long Does Probate Take in BC?
Immediately after a loved one’s death, you are dealing with complex emotions while planning a funeral and trying to find their will. What comes next? How are estate assets handled, and who oversees the deceased’s estate? The estate administration process can be complex and intimidating. On average, the probate process takes around 6 months, but […]
| Probate
Lawyer Fees for Probate BC
A person’s estate needs to be settled after they’ve passed away. Whoever is in charge of settling the estate—either the executor or an administrator—has many duties and responsibilities. It’s a big job, including tasks such as organizing the funeral, filing tax returns, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. The executor or administrator may also need to […]
| Probate
Estate in Probate
Most people have heard of an estate being described as “in probate” or are familiar with the expression “the estate is going through probate.” Fewer people know what probate actually entails, which can lead to confusion, worry, and stress. When an estate is in probate, it means that a court is overseeing the legal process […]