Probate & executor help · British Columbia

Probate and estate administration help for BC executors.

You have an estate to look after. You can ask for help with the decisions ahead.

Being named as executor can leave you with questions before you have had time to take in the loss. Tim Louis & Company helps executors understand probate and the responsibilities involved in administering an estate in British Columbia.

Request a free consultation 604-732-7678

Vancouver-based. Serving people across British Columbia.

A couple reviewing documents with a consultant at home.
Legal guidance for the responsibilities that follow a death.

You do not need to arrive with every answer. Start by telling the firm where things stand and what is worrying you.

Understand the work ahead

What is the difference between probate and estate administration?

The court application is one part of dealing with an estate. An executor also needs to understand the work that comes before and after a grant.

Read the probate guide

Probate

Probate is the court process used to establish a Will’s validity and confirm an executor’s authority. Whether a grant is needed depends on the estate’s assets and the requirements of the institutions dealing with them.

Estate administration

Estate administration is the wider work of dealing with an estate after a death. It can include protecting assets, addressing debts and tax obligations, keeping records, communicating with beneficiaries and arranging distributions when appropriate.

When the next step feels uncertain

Some decisions deserve a conversation first.

Executors can feel pressure to keep everyone satisfied while moving the estate forward. If you are unsure about a decision, describe it to a lawyer before committing to the next step.

You are being asked to release money.

A grant does not settle every question about debts, taxes, claims or distribution. Get advice about the obligations that apply before relying on an assumed payment date.

A property sale or family disagreement is developing.

Explain the proposed transaction and who is raising a concern. If there is a scheduled completion or another known date, include it in your initial enquiry.

You are unsure about taking on the role.

Tell the firm what you have already done for the estate and what is making you hesitate. Your starting point matters when discussing the responsibilities of acting as executor.

Make the first conversation useful

What should you have ready?

For your first enquiry, a short explanation of the situation is enough. The information below can help you organise your questions; you do not need to send a complete estate file through the contact form.

Ask the firm how to provide sensitive documents. Keep account numbers, identification numbers and detailed financial records out of an initial website message.

  • Your role and the stage of the estateAre you a named executor, an administrator or a family member seeking information? Note what has already been done.
  • The Will and any grant information you haveBe ready to say whether you have located a Will and whether a court application has been started or a grant issued.
  • A broad picture of the assets and concernsFor example, a home, bank accounts, debts or a request from a financial institution. A general description is sufficient for the initial enquiry.
  • Your immediate question and any known dateMention a proposed sale, a request to distribute funds or another time-sensitive issue. Say what decision you need help making.
Tim Louis seated at an office table during a meeting.
Tim Louis, LLB · Tim Louis & Company

Legal help from Tim Louis & Company

A Vancouver lawyer you can get to know.

Tim Louis has practised law in Vancouver since 1984. His firm provides Wills, probate and estate-law services for people in British Columbia.

Learn about Tim’s background and the firm before getting in touch. You can also read the firm’s probate service page for more information about the assistance available.

Meet Tim Louis
Visit the firm’s probate service page

Questions before you begin

A clearer place to start.

These answers provide general information about BC estates. Advice about your own responsibilities requires a review of the particular circumstances.

Does every estate in BC need probate?

No. Whether probate is needed depends on the assets, how they are held and what the institutions dealing with those assets require. The existence of a Will alone does not answer that question. Read Do I need probate in BC? or ask for advice about the estate you are handling.

What if there is no Will or the named executor cannot act?

A court-appointed administrator may be needed when someone dies without a Will or a named executor cannot act. The appropriate application and who may apply depend on the circumstances. Explain the situation to the firm rather than assuming you already have authority to deal with the estate.

Can I ask for help after the estate process has started?

Yes. An enquiry can begin with where the estate stands now, what has already been done and the issue you need help resolving. Tim Louis & Company can discuss whether the matter fits the firm’s services and what assistance may be appropriate.

How long will probate and administration take?

There is no single completion time that applies to every estate. Missing information, the nature of the assets, tax work and disputes can affect progress. A probate grant and the completion of the whole estate are different milestones. Read the BC probate timeline guide for more context.

What should I ask about costs?

Ask the firm about the legal work proposed and how the legal fees would be charged. Court fees, legal fees and executor compensation are separate subjects. The BC Probate Fee Act addresses the statutory probate fee, while the executor fees guide discusses executor compensation.

What if I am a beneficiary with concerns about the executor?

You can contact the firm and explain that you are a beneficiary, describe your concern and mention any known date or deadline. That is a different starting point from asking for help as the executor. The estate and Will disputes guide provides further context.

Read at your own pace

Practical guidance for BC executors.

Your first 90 days as executorAn introduction to the responsibilities after a death. Do I need probate in BC?Understand when a grant may be needed. The BC probate timelineThe steps involved and issues that can delay progress. Estate accounting and recordsQuestions about understanding the estate’s accounting.

Your next step

Tell us where things stand.

You may be preparing for probate, working through estate responsibilities or trying to understand a problem that has come up. Contact Tim Louis & Company to request a free consultation about your situation.

Request a free consultation 604-732-7678[email protected]
Tim Louis & Company
2526 West 5th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6K 1T1

This page provides general information about British Columbia probate and estate administration. It does not replace legal advice about your circumstances, and it does not provide an individual estate timeline or fee quote.