Wills, Estates & Estate Litigation

Overview

Planning for you family's future includes preparing now to make things easier on your loved ones should you no longer be able to manage your own affairs and for after you pass away.

Whether you want to organize your own affairs, or whether your loved one has passed away with or without a will and you need help taking care of their estate, we can help.

At Bennet Waugh Family Law we draft Wills and Powers of Attorney that take into account our clients' individual needs and wants, comply with all applicable laws, and that minimize probate fees and land transfer tax.

Estate Services

If you have been named the executor of someone's estate or need to be appointed as an Administrator, we can help you through this sometimes overwhelming process.

Our Estate services include the drafting and filing of all court documents, collecting and distributing of assets, negotiation with and payment of the deceased's creditors, as well as estate litigation.

Estate Litigation

Disputes over the validity of a will of a loved one, the proper distribution of their estate, and disagreements over whether the executor/administrator is carrying out their duties can create a need for the issue to be litigated in court. We have the skills, knowledge and compassion to effectively and efficiently resolve these emotionally charged disputes. We also represent parties at court hearings for the accounting and approval of administration and legal fees, acting for the administrator or the beneficiaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few questions answered to get to know the process better. Feel free to email us if you have further questions.

A Will is the legal document that comes into effect upon someone's passing and sets out the following:

Who will be the Executor(s) of your estate (the person(s) responsible for managing your Estate)?

Who will receive your personal belongings and assets?

Who will be the guardians of your minor children? Who will manage their inheritances? And for how long?

Who will care for your pet(s)?

A Power of Attorney is the legal document in which someone appoints one or more people (usually a spouse, or a close relative or friend) to deal with his or her legal and financial affairs if he or she is ever unable to do so personally. These situations can be as minor as losing your wallet while on vacation and needing your Attorney to arrange something at your bank, or as serious as being injured in an accident and needing your Attorney to deal with all of your affairs. Without a Power of Attorney Canada's strict privacy laws prevent friends and family, regardless of their good intentions, from assisting. At Bennet Waugh Corne we can help you determine what form of Power of Attorney you require and draft the document to meet your individual needs.

We can help you define your needs, and create a plan of action that's best for you and your family. Starting with an initial, no-commitment consultation, our family lawyers will work with you to assess your needs, and gather the information necessary to make important decisions.

By contacting us at 204-942-7381, or through the contact us link, our staff will provide you with information about the consultation process and our lawyers’ rates. If you decide to proceed with a consultation, we will send you a consultation screening form for your completion, which will help us match you with one of our lawyers. We will then contact you to schedule an initial consultation, giving you an opportunity to meet personally, or virtually, with one of our lawyers to discuss your legal problems and concerns, and hear our suggested course of action, without any obligation to continue unless you choose.

We are committed to what matters most: Your Family, Your Future. We have the knowledge and experience to get you through the most difficult of legal issues, and the desire to do it with compassion.

For your convenience, there is a public parking lot adjacent to and immediately to the North of our building on Main Street, and another immediately behind our building with access from Bannatyne, looking onto The Cube at Old Market Square, and beside Amsterdam Tea Room. Other nearby lots dot the neighbourhood. There is also street parking on Bannatyne Avenue and other side streets.