Estate Administration Lawyers Edmonton

Dealing with your loved one’s estate after they have passed is not always easy, especially when you’re grieving. An estate administration lawyer can be helpful to beneficiaries of an estate and appointed executor(s) by providing legal solutions catered to their best interests. 

Our team at Verhaeghe Law has assisted with clients’ estate administration needs in Edmonton for over 70 years. Whether you need help with estate planning, estate administration, or dispute resolution, our estate administration lawyers can help. Contact us through our website today or call our Edmonton office at (587) 410-2500. 

What is Estate Administration?

Estate administration is the legal process of managing and distributing a deceased person’s estate after they pass away. If the individual left a valid will before their passing, the executor named in the will is responsible for administering the estate. 

Estate administration involves a variety of tasks, including:

• Identifying and gathering assets 
• Paying outstanding debts and taxes through the estate
• Distributing remaining assets to named beneficiaries 
• And more

Our estate administration lawyers in Edmonton are here to guide executors and administrators through this process. Our team will make sure that you meet all of your legal obligations and that the estate is distributed correctly. With our help, you won’t need to handle your estate administration responsibilities alone.

The Estate Administration Process in Edmonton and Alberta

The estate administration process in Alberta follows a series of legal steps, each of which requires careful planning and attention to detail. An experienced estate administration lawyer can assist you through each phase of the process. When you’re undertaking estate administration, you can expect to participate in the following steps:

1. Gathering Assets and Filing for Probate

Commonly, the first step in estate administration is to gather all of the deceased person’s assets, including their bank accounts, real estate, investments, and personal property. If the estate is subject to probate, an application must be made to the Alberta Court of King’s Bench to verify the validity of the will.

2. Paying Debts and Taxes

Before distributing assets to beneficiaries, the executor or administrator of the estate must ensure that all of the deceased debts and taxes are paid back. This might include debts like mortgages, loans, or final income tax returns. Our estate administration lawyers in Edmonton can help you manage this process and ensure all debts and taxes are paid properly according to the law.

3. Distribution of Assets

Once all debts and taxes have been paid from the estate, any remaining assets can be distributed to beneficiaries named in the will. In the absence of a will, the estate will be split according to Alberta’s laws of intestate succession. A lawyer can help make sure distribution is carried out fairly, minimizing the risk of potential disputes or legal problems.

4. Accounting and Reporting

The executor or administrator of the estate will be responsible for providing a final accounting of the deceased’s assets, debts, and distributions. It can be helpful to work with estate administration lawyers when preparing this final report to ensure that all legal requirements have been met and that the estate is closed correctly.

What Happens if There is No Will?

If there is no will left by a deceased person, the court will appoint an administrator, usually a close relative, to handle the estate’s affairs. An Edmonton estate administration lawyer can ensure that someone is appointed by the court promptly. If there are no surviving relatives, other individuals may be eligible to be an administrator if they were close to the deceased. An estate administration lawyer can help with this process by applying to the court for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee. 

How Can Our Edmonton Estate Administration Lawyers Help You?

At Verhaeghe Law, our team of dedicated Edmonton estate administration lawyers is here to provide comprehensive legal support throughout the entire distribution process. Whether you are serving as an executor or you are a beneficiary seeking guidance, we’re here to help. Our services include, but are not limited to:

• Estate fiduciary duties and accounting
• Passing of accounts
• Probate applications
• Assisting estate trustees and representatives with compiling an exhaustive list of all estate assets and detailed inventory
• The identification and valuation of all assets
• Tax and financial professional consultations in the administration of the estate when needed
• Administering the estate
• Delegating responsibilities to the appropriate representatives of the estate
• Settling the estate
• Preparing court probate applications
• Domestic and cross-border compliance matters
• Identifying appointment executor(s)
• Dealing with creditors and discharging the debts of the estate
• Distributing the balance to beneficiaries of the estate
• Preparing and distributing estate accounts, guardianship accounts, or lawyer accounts
• Dealing with all correspondence and court documents (if applicable)
• Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustees if there is no will
• Help guide the executor in executing all matters of the estate legally
• And more

Choosing the right law firm to assist with your estate administration proceedings can be critical for ensuring a smooth and legally compliant process. At Verhaeghe Law, we’re ready to help clients, no matter what stage of the process they’re at.

Contact Our Estate Administration Lawyers in Edmonton Today

If you require legal assistance from an Edmonton estate administration lawyer, contact our law firm today to book a consultation with a member of our team. We can review the details of your case and advise you on your next steps. No matter how small or complex the estate you’re dealing with is, our lawyers can help. We are highly responsive and will ensure you have a deep understanding of your rights and obligations if you have been tasked with administering an estate.

You can book a consultation by live chatting with us, filling out an online consultation request, or by calling our Edmonton office at (587) 410-2500. No matter where you’re located in the province, we’re standing by ready to assist.