Skip to content
Vest-Estate-Law-Logo-White
  • Areas of Estate LawExpand
    • Estate AdministrationExpand
      • Grant of Administration
    • Estate PlanningExpand
      • Enduring Power of Attorney
      • Personal Directives
      • Will Planning
    • Estate LitigationExpand
      • Contesting a Will
      • Elder Law
      • Estate Mediation
      • Estates & Trusts
      • Guardianship & Trusteeship
    • Grant of Probate
    • Advanced Care Planning
    • Business Owner Retirement Planning
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Charitable Giving
    • Digital Assets Upon Death
    • Testamentary Trust
  • Locations & TeamExpand
    • Meet Your Team
    • Locations
    • Contact Us
  • Knowledge CentreExpand
    • Alberta Family Law
    • Estate Planning Info
    • Wills Deep Dive
    • Estate Administration
    • Probate Help
    • Calgary Articles
    • Edmonton Articles
    • Vancouver Articles
Get Help Now
Vest-Estate-Law-Logo-White

Reducing Your Estate Planning Costs in Alberta

Hours Updated onApril 12, 2023 Categories AB
Reducing your estate planning costs in Alberta

How to Manage Estate Planning Costs in Alberta

Reducing Your Estate Planning Costs 

The costs of preparing your estate and administering it in probate can dramatically decrease the amount that is left for your beneficiaries.

By working with an estate planning lawyer, you can find the rights strategies to reduce your planning costs and mitigate the expenses incurred by the estate after your death.  

What Are Common Estate Costs?

Common estate planning costs in Edmonton Alberta

There are several different fees that affect estates in Alberta. Each province sets its own probate fees. In Alberta, these fees are calculated as a percentage of the total value of the estate. (See the chart below.) There can also be administration costs, such as preparing documents that allow the estate assets to be distributed.

The executor (also known as the estate administrator or personal representative) is also entitled to compensation for the time and expense he or she expends in settling the estate.

This compensation can be set by the will, agreed between the beneficiaries and the executor, or ordered by the probate court. 

In addition to these fees and costs, many different taxes can apply to the estate. If capital gains occur from the sale of estate assets, these will be taxed.

Some estate assets might have deferred taxes (such as exempt savings plans and retirement accounts). Because these taxes were deferred during the owner’s lifetime, they must be paid if the asset is liquidated in probate. It is important to plan for all taxes that could apply to your estate.

It is possible to use mitigation strategies to reduce these taxes and maximize the amount that is left for your heirs. 

What Are the Probate Fees in Alberta? 

In Alberta, probate fees are collected based upon the value of the estate, and they must be paid before the court will issue a Grant of Probate or Grant of Administration. Once the Grant has been issued, the beneficiaries can be paid by the executor. Fees are assessed on the following schedule:

  • If the estate is valued at $10,000 or less, the probate fee is $35.
  • If the estate is over $10,000 but not more than $25,000, the fee is $135.
  • If the estate is over $25,000 but not more than $125,000, the fee is $275.
  • If the estate is over $125,000 but not more than $250,000, the fee is $400.
  • If the estate is over $250,000, the probate fee is $525.

There are many ways that an estate planning lawyer can help you reduce both the costs of preparing your estate plan and the costs of administering the estate (whether through the probate court or not).

Here are some of the most important strategies our lawyers use to reduce the costs to both you and your heirs:

Have a Valid Will 

If you pass away without a will, default provisions of Canadian law might be applied to determine what happens to your property.

If you die with a will that is not executed with all the necessary legal formalities, or a will that does not account for all of your debts and assets, your heirs might have to waste time and money litigating your will in the probate court.

Having a legally enforceable will that clearly addresses all of your financial matters will reduce the risk of costly legal disputes. 

Plan for Minor Beneficiaries in the Will

It’s important to include provisions in your that apply to any beneficiaries of your estate who may be minors.

Many younger people are not able to handle significant amounts of cash responsibly, so it may be a good idea to creating a trust your will to ensure that your minor beneficiaries suddenly come into a windfall on their 18th birthday.

Plan for an Adult Guardianship

If you become unable to make your own medical decisions, the court can appoint someone to make these decisions for you. A family member must file a costly application with the court in order to receive this appointment.

If other family members dispute the appointment, the process can become even more expensive. By issuing a Personal Directive prior to any physical or mental incapacity, you can prevent these expenses.

Use Strategic Tax Planning

An estate planning lawyer can help find the tax strategy that will work best for your particular estate. For example: if your will provides for a charitable donation that is made by your estate, this will reduce the amount of taxes that must be paid by the estate.

Capital gains taxes can be reduced by selling an asset at the right time. By using the right strategies both before and after your death, your estate can drastically reduce its tax liability (thereby increasing the amount that is left for your heirs).

Give the Executor Flexible Authority

In order to execute these financial strategies effectively, your executor will need some flexibility in the financial authority that you grant.

Example

For example: If you stipulate that your assets must be liquidated within a short time after your death, your executor might not be able to wait until they appreciate or until there is a tax advantage to the sale.

Your will should clearly state your intentions, but give your executor flexibility in the methods he or she may use to reach these goals. 

Don’t Wait for the Last Minute to Start Estate Planning

All too often, estate planning attorneys hear from new clients who are in a hurry. They might be preparing for a risky surgery or dangerous overseas travel. Perhaps they have received a dire medical diagnosis. Whatever the case, last-minute work becomes more expensive. An estate planning lawyer may need to charge a premium in order to prepare your documents as quickly as you need them.

If information and documents are needed to prepare the estate plan, there might be rush fees to obtain them immediately. All of these costs will increase the overall expense of estate planning.

Planning in a rush also makes it more likely that you will forget some crucial detail or make some mistakes that could lead to costly probate disputes. Reduce the costs of both rush fees and errors by allowing yourself and your lawyer plenty of time to prepare a thorough estate plan that mitigates as many costs as possible.  

Reduce Your Estate Planning Costs by Consulting an Experienced Edmonton Estate Planning Lawyer

At Vest Estate Lawyers, our experienced estate planning lawyers know how to manage costs and give your final wishes the full force of Canadian law. Call us to schedule a free consultation.

Vest AB Map

We currently have three offices across Alberta — Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer. However, we serve the entire province of Alberta. We also have the infrastructure to work with any of our clients virtually — even the furthest regions of Alberta.

Call 587-442-3553 [toll free 1-877-448-3131] to get routed to the best office for you or contact us online to schedule an appointment.

We also have a dedicated intake form to help you get the ball rolling. Our intake team will review your specific case and advise you on the next steps to take and what to expect moving forward.

Our offices are generally open 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m., Mon—Fri.

Vest-Estate-Law-EndStamp
Heather Tyminski - Vest Estate Law

Heather Tyminski

WILLS and ESTATES LAWYER

Heather Tyminski is a lawyer in the firm’s Calgary office with many years of experience practicing estate law.

  • Learn More About Heather
We're here to help you
Landing Page - General

Wills / Estate Planning

Estate Administration (for Executors and Administrators)

Includes all aspects of finalizing an estate, dealing with the assets and debts of an estate and distribution to beneficiaries.
Many personal representatives (executors) request that estate administration lawyers administer the estate for them.

Estate Litigation (Dispute Resolution)

Estate litigation includes dispute of a will,  making a claim against the estate as a spouse of the deceased, disinheritance, or if you think there has been undue influence in the process of making a will.

Our estate litigation lawyers act for personal representatives (executors), administrators, beneficiaries, spouses and adult interdependent partners (“AIP”) of a deceased individual.

Adult Guardianship and Trustee Applications

More Details / Other Concerns

Is there any other information you would like to include? If so, please provide us with a brief description

Recent Posts

  • Can Your BC Estate Collect Child Support After You Pass Away?April 9, 2025
  • Elder Abuse & Neglect Law in BC: Legal GuideApril 8, 2025
  • Alternatives to Wills in BC Estate PlanningApril 7, 2025

Dedicated estate litigators

Whether you need estate mediation or a court decision – Vest has the team to bring you a favourable outcome.

Estate Disputes Happen - Get Help Here
The Canadian Bar Association
Law Society of Alberta
Law Society of British Columbia
Three Best Rated Award
Calgary Best Rated Badge
Protect your estate
Join Team Vest!

We're looking for highly motivated associates to join our busy team.
Vest Estate Law offers competitive compensation and a spirited corporate culture.

Click Here for more info
EDMONTON

Suite 400, 10216 124 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 4A3
Local: (587) 442-3553
Toll-Free: 1 (877) 448-3131

CALGARY

Suite 700, 396 11 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 0C5
Local: (403) 226-9757
Toll-Free: 1 (888) 382-0033

VANCOUVER

Suite 301, 134 Abbott Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2K4
Local: (604) 256-7152
Toll-Free: 1 (877) 415-1484

RED DEER

Suite 203, 4807 50 Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 4A5
Local: (587) 441-3770

MORE

Contact Us
Payments
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Disclaimer



© 2025 Vest Estate Lawyers. Vest Estate Lawyers is a registered trade name of Spectrum Family Law LLP / Taylor Janis LLP - Sitemap

Facebook Linkedin Instagram

Do you have an estate issue that requires assistance?

Our estate-focused paralegals are standing by to assist you.

Get Help Here
  • Areas of Estate Law
    • Estate Administration
      • Grant of Administration
    • Estate Planning
      • Enduring Power of Attorney
      • Personal Directives
      • Will Planning
    • Estate Litigation
      • Contesting a Will
      • Elder Law
      • Estate Mediation
      • Estates & Trusts
      • Guardianship & Trusteeship
    • Grant of Probate
    • Advanced Care Planning
    • Business Owner Retirement Planning
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Charitable Giving
    • Digital Assets Upon Death
    • Testamentary Trust
  • Locations & Team
    • Meet Your Team
    • Locations
    • Contact Us
  • Knowledge Centre
    • Alberta Family Law
    • Estate Planning Info
    • Wills Deep Dive
    • Estate Administration
    • Probate Help
    • Calgary Articles
    • Edmonton Articles
    • Vancouver Articles