ESTATE LITIGATION
Resolving Disputes Over Wills, Trusts, and Estates.
When conflicts emerge over wills, trusts, or estate administration after someone passes away, families face difficult legal and emotional challenges. Our firms help people resolve estate disputes involving will challenges, executor misconduct, and beneficiary disagreements. Our teams can be your advocate, offer support, and guide you through the BC Supreme Court process with compassion and experience during an already difficult time.
PRACTICE AREAS
Estate Litigation.
Our firms guide families through will challenges, trust disputes, and estate conflicts with compassion and experience during difficult times.
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When there are concerns about the validity of a will in British Columbia—due to lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, suspicious circumstances, or improper execution—our firms’ estate litigation lawyers help families challenge or defend wills to ensure the deceased's true wishes are honoured and the estate is properly distributed.
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Disputes over trust administration, trust interpretation, or trust distribution can create family conflict and financial uncertainty in BC estates. Our firms represent trust beneficiaries and trustees in resolving trust-related disagreements, breach of trust claims, and disputes over trustee powers and discretion.
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Executors and trustees in British Columbia have legal obligations under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act to act honestly and in the best interests of beneficiaries. When they breach these executor duties through estate mismanagement, self-dealing, failure to account, or improper distribution, our firms can help to hold them accountable and seek removal or compensation.
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When someone holding power of attorney in BC abuses their authority or acts contrary to the grantor's interests, it can result in financial harm and family conflict. Our firms’ lawyers can help families address misuse of power of attorney, financial abuse by attorneys, and seek appropriate remedies including accounting and return of assets.
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Disagreements among estate beneficiaries about estate distribution, asset valuation, or executor decisions can prolong the BC estate administration process and damage family relationships. Our firms help resolve conflicts between beneficiaries through mediation, negotiation, or estate litigation to achieve fair outcomes.
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The estate administration process in British Columbia can be complex, involving probate applications, estate accounting, creditor claims, and beneficiary distributions. Our teams guide BC executors and estate administrators through their legal responsibilities under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, helping them navigate Supreme Court requirements and resolve disputes that arise during administration.
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Under BC's wills variation legislation, certain family members can apply to court if they believe a will does not adequately provide for them and is unfair. Our firms represent spouses, children, and other eligible claimants seeking to vary a will, as well as executors and beneficiaries defending against wills variation claims in Supreme Court.
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When disputes arise over the appointment or conduct of a guardian or committee for an incapacitated adult in British Columbia, family members may need legal intervention. Our firms represent clients in BC guardianship disputes, applications to remove or replace committees, and challenges to decisions made on behalf of vulnerable adults under the Patients Property Act and Adult Guardianship Act.
CONTESTING A WILL?
We’re Here to Help.
If you're challenging a will or facing an estate dispute in British Columbia, our Victoria and Vancouver estate lawyers can help you address undue influence claims, executor conflicts, beneficiary disputes, and trust issues to ensure fair outcomes for your family.