British Columbia directory

Wills, Estates & Trusts Law Firms in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia

382 law firms.

What does a wills, estates & trusts lawyer in Metro Vancouver do?

A wills, estates and trusts lawyer helps you plan what happens to your property and your care, then helps your family carry that plan out after a death. The work splits in two: drafting wills, trusts, and powers of attorney while you're alive, and administering an estate after a death. When a will has to be proven, the file goes to a probate registry of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, whose Vancouver Law Courts sit at 800 Smithe Street, with another registry at the New Westminster Law Courts.

You don't always need a lawyer for a simple will. BC notaries public can also draft wills, powers of attorney, and representation agreements (Society of Notaries Public of BC). For a blended family, a trust, or a dispute, most people bring in a lawyer.

What law governs wills and estates in British Columbia?

BC wills and estates run under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, or WESA, in force since March 31, 2014 (WESA). It sets the rules for a valid will, for dying without one, and for settling an estate.

One feature surprises many families. Under WESA, the Supreme Court can vary a will if, in the court's opinion, it fails to make adequate provision for the proper maintenance and support of the will-maker's spouse or children (WESA section 60). A spouse or adult child left out can ask the court to change the split, so get advice before disinheriting anyone.

How do probate and a wills variation claim work in BC?

Probate is the Supreme Court's confirmation that a will is real, was made without fraud or undue influence, and is the last one the person left (Province of BC). The named executor applies to a registry, and the grant lets them deal with banks, land, and the other assets. BC also charges a probate fee scaled to the value of the estate (Probate Fee Act).

Deadlines are strict: a wills variation claim must start within 180 days of the date the grant is issued in BC (WESA section 61). Miss that window and the right to vary the will is usually gone, so if you're facing a claim or considering one, move early.

How do you choose a wills, estates & trusts firm in Metro Vancouver?

Match the firm to your situation: a simple will and power of attorney is routine, while a contested estate, a trust, or a wills variation claim calls for someone who runs those files often. Ask who will handle your matter, how the firm plans for incapacity through enduring powers of attorney and representation agreements (Province of BC), and what the retainer covers. Firms sit across the region, from Vancouver, Burnaby, and Richmond to Surrey, Langley, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and New Westminster, so there's usually one near you.

You can confirm any lawyer's standing on the Law Society of British Columbia directory. Browse the wills, estates & trusts firms in Metro Vancouver below.

A.S. Mattoo & Associates Law Office is a Surrey, BC law firm based in the York Business Centre, focused mainly on real estate law, including residential and commercial transactions and mortgage and refinancing matters…

Business & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsTax LawTax Law

Abisoye Law Corporation is a Vancouver law firm serving individuals, families, executives, and growing businesses throughout British Columbia. It practises across five core areas: immigration, business law, real estat…

Immigration LawImmigration LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawReal Estate LawReal Estate LawFamily LawFamily Law

Adrian & Co.

3 lawyers · Est. 1986

Adrian & Co. is a Vancouver law firm based in Kerrisdale, practising since 1986. It focuses on wills, estates, trusts and incapacity planning, real estate, and corporate and commercial law, and also offers strategic g…

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

AHC Law

1 lawyer

AHC Law is a barristers and solicitors practice serving Coquitlam, Vancouver, and the wider Lower Mainland of British Columbia. The firm focuses on wills and estate planning, real estate law, corporate law, and notary…

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

Alder Law

4 lawyers

Alder Law is a law firm based in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, that has served the Tri-Cities and wider Fraser Valley for over two decades. The firm practices employment law, family law, personal injury and insura…

Employment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour LawFamily LawFamily LawPersonal InjuryPersonal InjuryInsurance LawInsurance Law

Alexa Zimmer Law Corporation is a sole-practitioner law firm on Vancouver Island, focusing on real estate transactions and estate planning. The firm offers direct, flat-fee legal services rather than hourly billing, a…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Alexis Law is a family and estate law firm in Richmond, British Columbia. It handles separation and divorce, property division, spousal and child support, and parenting and guardianship matters, as well as estate plan…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

ALG Lawyers

6 lawyers

ALG Lawyers is a family, criminal, civil litigation and estate law firm with offices in Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver, BC. Founded by Jasdeep Aujla, the firm serves English, Hindi and Punjabi speaking clients and d…

Family LawFamily LawCriminal DefenceCriminal DefenceReal Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Ali Legal

3 lawyers

Ali Legal is a law firm in downtown Vancouver, BC, focused mainly on family law matters such as divorce, custody, child and spousal support, and property division. The firm also handles wills, trusts and estate admini…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate LawPersonal InjuryPersonal Injury

Alice Huynh Law Corporation is a Vancouver and Burnaby law practice offering family law, civil litigation, estate litigation, and wills and estates services. The firm provides legal services in Vietnamese in addition …

Family LawFamily LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Alliance Lawyers Oberoi Haban Malli LLP is a full-service law firm based in downtown Langley, BC, serving individuals, families, and businesses across the Lower Mainland and the province. The firm practices civil liti…

Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionAdministrative & Regulatory LawAdministrative & Regulatory LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawReal Estate LawReal Estate Law

Alpine Legal Services Law Corporation is a real estate, wills and estates, and business law firm based in Chilliwack, BC, with satellite offices in Langley, Surrey and Abbotsford serving the Fraser Valley. Founded by …

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawNotary & Commissioner ServicesNotary & Commissioner Services

Altro LLP

9 lawyers · Est. 1988

Altro LLP is a cross-border tax and estate planning firm founded in 1988 that serves Canadian and American clients from offices in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver as well as several U.S. Sun Belt states. Its…

Tax LawTax LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

Aman Cheema Law Corporation is a Surrey firm founded by Aman Cheema, offering legal services in family law, criminal defense, corporate law, and personal injury, along with civil, administrative, immigration, real est…

Family LawFamily LawCriminal DefenceCriminal DefenceBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawPersonal InjuryPersonal Injury

Andersen Paul Law is a small boutique family law firm in Vancouver, working in association with Mackoff Mohamed Barristers & Solicitors. It focuses on family law, family mediation, wills and estates, and estate litiga…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Anthony L. Shiau, Barrister & Solicitor is a sole law practice based in Burnaby, BC, run out of a home office with full building amenities. Anthony Shiau has practiced since 2006 across real estate, corporate, commerc…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsFamily LawFamily Law

Apna Law LLP

6 lawyers · Est. 2018

Apna Law LLP is a Burnaby, BC firm founded in 2018 by James Gill and Jasroop Grewal, with a second office in Calgary, AB. Its lawyers handle family law, estate litigation, civil litigation, personal injury, and mediat…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsPersonal InjuryPersonal InjuryLegal aidLegal Aid

Arcstone Law Corporation is a boutique law firm in downtown Vancouver offering business, real estate, employment, immigration, and wills and estate planning services. It's a licensed law corporation under the Legal Pr…

Business & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawReal Estate LawReal Estate LawEmployment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour LawImmigration LawImmigration Law

Arora Zbar LLP

8 lawyers

Arora Zbar LLP is a Vancouver and Surrey law firm focused on real estate, business and corporate law, estate planning, and civil litigation, advising clients on transactions, dispute resolution, and estate administrat…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Artha Law

2 lawyers

Artha Law is a Surrey, British Columbia firm founded by Digvijay S. Chauhan, focused on making legal services accessible to newcomers to Canada. It practises real estate, immigration, civil litigation, family law, wil…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawImmigration LawImmigration LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFamily LawFamily Law

Ascendancy Law Corp. is a general practice law firm in Burnaby, BC, serving individuals and businesses in real estate, corporate, commercial, wills and estates, and family law. It offers services in English and Canton…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Ashdin Law

2 lawyers · Est. 2018

Ashdin Law is a boutique law firm in Port Coquitlam focused on corporate law, including tax reorganizations, and estate planning, including succession and personal planning. It's run by a husband-and-wife legal team w…

Business & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Assist Legal

2 lawyers

Assist Legal, also operating as DSK Law Corporation, is a Vancouver law firm offering cost-efficient legal services with a free initial consultation. The firm practises personal injury, family, estate, and commercial …

Personal InjuryPersonal InjuryFamily LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

ATA Law Corporation is a boutique law firm in central Richmond, BC, that has served its community for over a decade. It practices family law, wills and estates, and real estate transactions, charging a flat fee for mo…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate Law