Estates

PROBATE

If the deceased has left a Will and you are the executor named in the Will, Metro Law will help you to apply for a Grant of Probate appointing you as the Executor of the Estate.

LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION

If the deceased has left no will, the deceased's next of kin can consent to your application for Letters of Administration which will appoint you the Administrator of the estate.

LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION WITH WILL ANNEXED

If the deceased has left a will - but there is no named executor available - the deceased's next of kin can consent to your application for Letters of Administration with Will Annexed which will appoint you the Administrator of the estate.

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

In all three cases the successful applicant becomes the "personal representative of the estate of the deceased" and the roles are very similar, so for the purposes of this article we will assume you are the "executor" and you are filing for a Grant of Probate.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

Book an appointment and bring along the following items when you come: deceased's original Will (if any), an original Death Certificate; copies of statements for every account held by the deceased; copies of the latest BC Assessment for any real estate; copies of titles and mortgages for land, vehicles and other assets; birth date and place of deceased; names, addresses and postal codes for every executor or beneficiary named in the will and immediate next of kin. See also the Executor's Checklist below.

EXECUTOR'S CHECKLIST

Metro Law Office will take care of the legal requirements of the estate but the executor has a larger list of duties to perform which are summarized in our Executor's Checklist.