Estates, Trusts & Wills

Our support includes all areas Wills, estate planning, trusts (domestic and off-shore), estate administration and tax plus their interrelated disputes and litigation, particularly in matters of significant assets, complex property protection, and interests in family businesses. Our estate litigation experience includes dependant adult applications, dependant's relief claims, undue influence claims, Will challenges, breach of trust actions, interpretation of Wills, the appointment or removal of trustees and passing of accounts in trusts and estates.

We give clients proactive, strategic advice and by asking the right questions we gain an understanding all the possible of consequences.

Trust Planning: Family trusts, spousal and alter ego trusts, testamentary trusts, also U.S. Trusts, Alberta Trusts, etc.

Estate Planning: We have extensive experience in all phases of estate planning to effectively protect and transfer family wealth. Our services include preparation of Wills, asset protection analysis and planning, and the formation of family corporations, Limited Partnerships, foundations and other entities relating to the ownership and transfer of family wealth.

Personal Property Protection: Our lawyers prepare trusts, including charitable trusts, life insurance trusts, trusts for minors, spouses and elders and other sophisticated tax-saving trusts, premarital and post marital property agreements and powers of attorney for property management and personal care during incapacity. We also advise on strategies to avoid time-consuming and costly probate procedures.

Estate Administration: We represent executors, trustees and beneficiaries in the administration of estates, as well as trustees and beneficiaries of trusts. This work includes the marshalling of assets, the proper funding of trusts established in a Will, preparation of estate accounts, distributions to heirs, and the preparation of income tax returns for estates. In addition, in those cases where disputes arise, we act for parties in litigation and mediation related to Wills, trusts and related documents and relationships.

See Family Business & Personal Wealth for further information