Probate Professionals in British Columbia
Personal representatives manage the affairs of deceased individuals according to the instructions left in their will. This can become complex as the correct legal processes must be navigated. Part of this process is probate, where the court provides official validation of a will and allows the administration process to proceed formally.
If you are a nominated personal representative charged with administering a will, the probate experts at Vest Estate Law can help you manage the process efficiently and without delays.
How can a probate professional help your family?
A probate professional or estate professional helps settle a deceased person’s estate. A personal representative’s responsibilities at the time of a person’s death are numerous. They include identifying and disposing of any land, money, and possessions, settling any outstanding debts or taxes, paying inheritances, and providing for the care of the deceased’s dependents, if applicable.
This considerable responsibility can also leave you liable for any unpaid debts from the deceased person’s estate. Sometimes, it makes sense for a personal representative to seek the assistance of a probate professional to facilitate and oversee the process, starting with the application for the grant of probate from the British Columbia courts.
Making the probate application in British Columbia
Before the deceased’s assets can be transferred to beneficiaries, the will must pass probate. This means that you, as the personal representative, must apply to the court to validate the will for authenticity and legal accuracy and confirm your appointment as the personal and legal representative of the deceased.
To apply for probate, all the necessary information regarding the deceased person’s estate must be gathered together. If the estate is large, this can be quite a task in itself. Then, it must be submitted with the correct documentation to the court.
What happens after probate has been granted?
After probate is granted, the responsibilities of the personal representative begin in earnest.
Administering the Will
Once the grant of probate has been issued, assets have been liquidated and all debts have been paid, you can legally start distributing the assets to beneficiaries according to the instructions in the will. This can be complex if the estate is sizeable, considerable debts are outstanding or many beneficiaries or creditors exist. The process can be further complicated with many individuals now holding digital assets.
It can take weeks or even months to fully administer an estate, depending on its complexity, the type of assets involved, how cooperative the beneficiaries are, and other factors. The process should not be rushed. It is important to get everything right so that the estate is administered accurately according to the deceased person’s wishes and within the law.
Probating a Will in British Columbia
If you want to inquire about probate, apply for probate or begin executing a will, the probate experts at Vest Estate Law can help you navigate the responsibilities, starting with a one-on-one consultation.
Our Vancouver intake staff are standing by to help you. Call (604) 256-7152 [toll free 1 (877) 415-1484] 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, as well as what to expect moving forward.
Our Vancouver office is open 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m., Mon—Fri.
Myron Plett
WILLS and ESTATES LAWYER
Myron is a seasoned litigator with nearly twenty years of experience and a broad range of skills that has led to significant successes in the Provincial Court of British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia. He has also taken his clients to victory before tribunals such as the Residential Tenancy Branch and the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
