Probate & Administration of Estates

 

WHAT IS ESTATE ADMINISTRATION?

We can help you deal with the administration of the estate when someone you care about passes away.  Some people want to do as much as possible themselves and others want more help.  Either way, we can assist you.

"Estate administration" is the term that refers to the steps that must be taken when someone dies.  It includes things like making the funeral arrangements, notifying organizations and government departments about the death, making sure the estate's assets are protected, applying to court to obtain authority to deal with the estate, paying off any debts of the estate, filing income tax returns and distributing the estate to the proper beneficiaries, just to name a few. 

An "executor" is a person appointed under a Will to carry out the instructions that are in the Will.  An "administrator" is a person that is appointed by the court when there is no Will.  Both roles do the same important job.  Keep in mind that if you start dealing with the assets of an estate, then you are legally bound to continue until you get discharged by the court so its a good idea to come see a lawyer right at the beginning before you take any steps in dealing with the estate.  

 
 

We humbly and respectfully acknowledge that our work takes place on the traditional territory of lәk̓ʷәŋәn-speaking peoples, which includes the Xwsepsum, also known as the Esquimalt, the lәk̓ ʷәŋәn, also known as the Songhees, as well as the SENĆOŦEN, Malchosen, Semiahmoo, and T’Sou-ke speaking W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. We acknowledge the long and continuing history of colonization and Indigenous peoples resistance to it, in particular the harm, violence, and racism towards Indigenous people that has occurred as a result of the legal profession.

As an organization who welcomes and strives to serve all people, we believe that inclusive language is a way of acknowledging and respecting the diversity of bodies, genders and relationships. People experience and express their gender and sexuality in different ways. People have different biological sex characteristics.

Inclusive language ensures we don’t leave people out of our conversations or our work. Inclusive language acknowledges the diversity of people we work with and serve.