The duties of an executor or administrator of an estate are many and varied. The court takes estate administration seriously and assumes that the executor will perform his or her duties with care and diligence. One of the more complicated roles of the executor may be locating heirs. Courts in British Columbia and across Canada expect the person charged with … Read More
The Executor’s Tax Responsibilities During Estate Administration
At no time during the life of a man or woman in British Columbia is that person happy to pay their taxes. Imagine the surprise of discovering one is responsible for the taxes of another person after they have passed away? That is exactly what happens during estate administration: the executor is required, as legal representative, to settle the tax … Read More
Disinherited Kids Challenge Will in Probate, Seek Share of Estate
When an individual in British Columbia passes away and leaves a will, the will must go through probate. In theory, the probate process is relatively simple: the will is submitted to the court and its legality is verified before then being administered by the executor. In rare cases, the will may be challenged, usually by hitherto unknown heirs, or those … Read More
Is There a Way to Streamline the Probate Process?
Sometimes death comes as a bolt out of the blue, an unwelcome surprise to the survivors of the decedent and the administrator of his or her estate. But other times, there is foreknowledge that death is imminent, whether it is months, weeks or even just days away. If you know that you are named as administrator of someone’s estate, and … Read More
Understanding the Probate Process
In March of 2014, British Columbia enacted the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, which modernized estate law and made the probate process easier. Whether probate is necessary or not depends upon the policies of the financial institutions or agencies that hold any assets that are part of a decedent’s estate. Some agencies require that executors apply for representation grants so … Read More