Wills and Estates

It’s easy to say that everyone should have a will, but not everyone knows why a will is so important. When we talk about a will, we’re usually not speaking about a single document where you just insert some names and everything is done. A will is just one part of a larger estate plan meant to protect your interests even after you’re gone.

While having a will can help an estate be organized and distributed smoothly, there are also situations where family members fight over inheritance – sometimes to the point where it can tear a family apart. Sometimes a relative may claim that a will is invalid, and does not represent the deceased wishes. Other claims may suggest that someone was being abused, and coerced into signing something that they were not able to understand.

When a person dies, their estate is distributed by an executor who is responsible for making sure that beneficiaries receive what was intended for them. While a person should always select someone who is responsible to act as their executor, sometimes executors mishandle an estate if they are not competent, get greedy themselves, or are bullied by one of the deceased’s family members.

Distribution of an estate should honour the deceased’s wishes, but if you’re done dirty by close friends or family members, we are here to help. Estate disputes can be emotionally exhausting, so it’s important to have the right advice about how to best receive what was meant for you in the first place. We’re happy to provide a second opinion in a consult, begin a court matter, or assist with one that’s ongoing if you now need counsel.

Our range of services include:

• Will drafting
• Power of Attorney for Property
• Power of Attorney for Personal Care
• Estate litigation

Handling an estate can be complicated, and while it may feel like an honour that someone trusted you as their executor or trustee, there is often a great deal of work involved in ensuring that all beneficiaries receive what they are owed and that the estate is handled in the way that it should be.

We provide guidance to executors and trustees when they need assistance with administering estates. If things become contentious, we’re also able to help with estate litigation to handle any disputes that arise in order to protect our client’s best interests.

Lastly, we know that prospective clients may not have worked with a lawyer before, and may be hesitant to reach out. We take the time to guide you through the legal process, explain every step, and we’ll work with you to try and get the results that you’re looking for.