In Alberta, people who write a will usually name a personal representative (also known as an executor or executrix) to carry out the task of estate administration.
Fortunately, this considerable responsibility is usually discussed with the individual beforehand, so they know what to expect. However, some personal representatives are not prepared, not capable, or not able to commit the necessary time to estate administration.
This can lead to delays for beneficiaries or other problems.
Fortunately, you don’t have to handle this alone. If you have been named as a personal representative in Alberta and need assistance, an experienced estate administration lawyer from Vest Estate Lawyers can help you with the following:
- Interpreting the will
- Grant of probate application
- Completing the necessary administration paperwork
- Paying debts and taxes
- Identifying and distributing assets to beneficiaries
- Providing care for the deceased’s dependents (if necessary)
- Estate litigation
What is the Estate Administration Act of Alberta?
Alberta’s Estate Administration Act governs the estate administration tasks performed after a person dies in the province.
Enacted in 2015, it was designed to make the duties and responsibilities associated with estate administration easier to understand and follow.
The Act grants the same legal powers to a personal representative (PR) as if the deceased person was still alive. He or she can administer the estate according to the laws outlined in the Act. Duties must be performed honestly and in accordance with the deceased’s wishes.
The Act also makes provisions for if no will has been left and other matters. It includes the following:
- Recognition that people are free to do as they wish with their assets and for their decisions to be respected after all legal obligations are met
- An assumption that a deceased person would want family to have his or her property if no will is left
- A provision for dependent family members to receive adequate support from a deceased person’s estate
- A provision for beneficiaries to hold the personal representative legally accountable for his or her actions
Conan Taylor
MANAGING PARTNER
Conan Taylor is the founding Managing Partner of Vest Estate Law, a boutique firm specializing in wills and estates across Alberta and BC. Rather than active practice, Conan focuses on team building and strategic growth of the firm’s presence. A former Canadian Armed Forces pilot, he holds degrees from the University of Alberta and Queen’s University. His leadership has established Vest Estate Law as a premier resource for comprehensive estate planning, administration, and litigation services.
