Coquitlam Estate Administration Dispute Lawyer

Everything a deceased person owned in their name at their death: bank accounts and investments, real estate, personal property, and all their assets comprise their estate. If the asset was gifted at or before their death, it does not form part of the estate. Almost everyone has an estate, even if it’s a modest one, and upon your death, the estate transfers to your heirs or beneficiaries named in your will. The legal process of transferring ownership of the estate and its contents, settling debts the estate owes, and filing any tax returns required is overseen by the estate executor or administrator after the grant of probate or administration. The role of an estate executor or administrator is a weighty one, and many people who have been appointed to this role may be uncertain of their duties or may run into issues with beneficiaries or the will itself. Our Coquitlam, BC estate administrative dispute lawyer can help you efficiently resolve the dispute and protect the interests of the estate. Contact HS Law Corporation, HS Law today for a consultation.

Estate Administration Dispute Lawyer Coquitlam, BC

Even with a clear, properly executed will, there may still be some issues with the probate process or the estate administration. One of the most common types of estate disputes is by a beneficiary or potential beneficiary who feels the will treated them unfairly or that they deserve or have legal rights to a larger portion of the estate than they were bequeathed, which is  adequate, just and equitable. In some cases, the estate executor or administrator may have to contend with assertions by the deceased’s family that their loved one was subject to undue influence or lacked mental capacity when writing the will or transferring assets in their lifetime. As the estate’s representative, it is your fiduciary duty to act in the estate’s best interests for the efficient administration of the estate, not to favor any one beneficiary.

Another common issue that many estate administrators (or, if the deceased wrote a will, the executor and trustee of the will; the estate trustee carries the same responsibilities and fiduciary duties as the estate administrator or representative) is allegations of breach of their fiduciary duties, intentional delays, unreasonable expenses, or mishandling of the estate. This could happen simply because the administrator doesn’t fully understand their responsibilities or could occur in more nefarious situations, such as the administrator using the estate’s assets for their personal financial gain.

If you are the estate executor, trustee, or administrator, skilled and strategic legal advice is essential during the probate and administrative process. Our lawyers can guide you through the process, explain your responsibilities, and handle any will challenges or accusations of improper actions or breach of fiduciary duties.

Experience Matters For Efficient Resolution Of Estate Disputes

Our legal team has extensive experience managing the administration of complex estates. If you aren’t sure if you can handle the legal fiduciary responsibilities yourself, we can act on behalf of the estate for the proper administration of the estate. With our years of experience and deep understanding of BC inheritance and estate laws, our Coquitlam estate administration dispute lawyer is uniquely qualified to assist in even the most complicated matters.

• Active member of the local community as a member of the Tri-Cities Seniors’ Action Society. New View Society, and Senior Professional Services.
• Our lawyers are well-versed in provincial legislation like British Columbia’s Wills, Estates, and Succession Act (WESA) and case law that could impact your dispute.

If you’re facing a dispute over the administration of an estate, whether you’re the aggrieved beneficiary or executor, please contact HS Law Corporation, HS Law today for a consultation.