Sundeep S. Grewal
Founder · Barrister & Solicitor
Has appeared in the Provincial and Supreme Courts of BC, from chambers applications to contested trials.
Full profileProbate & estates · Abbotsford, BC
Probate and estate lawyers in Abbotsford, BC
Named as an executor, or worried about how an estate is being handled? Our Abbotsford estate lawyers help families across the Fraser Valley, including Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack and Aldergrove, apply for probate, settle estates and resolve will disputes, from our office on South Fraser Way.
- Office at #104-32615 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford
- Probate, estate administration and will disputes
- Meet in person, by phone or by video
Book an estate consultation in Abbotsford
Tell us a little about the estate and we'll be in touch to arrange a time.
Probate in Abbotsford
Applying for probate when the estate is in Abbotsford
Probate is the BC Supreme Court process that confirms a will and gives the executor authority to deal with the estate. Abbotsford has its own Supreme Court registry at the Abbotsford Law Courts, 32375 Veterans Way, which serves families across the central Fraser Valley.
Most probate applications are decided on the documents, so you rarely need to attend court. If there is no will, a family member applies for a grant of administration instead, and the estate is shared under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act.
- Locate the will and confirm who the executor is
- Give notice to the beneficiaries and others entitled
- Prepare the application, including a list of the estate's assets and debts
- File with the Supreme Court of BC and pay the probate fees
- Receive the grant, then gather assets, pay debts and distribute the estate
Costs
Probate fees in BC
Probate fees are set by the province under the Probate Fee Act, so they are the same for an estate in Abbotsford as anywhere else in BC. They are based on the value of the estate and are paid when the application is filed.
| Value of the estate | Fee |
|---|---|
| $25,000 or less | No fee |
| $25,001 to $50,000 | $6 for each $1,000 (or part) over $25,000 |
| Over $50,000 | $150, plus $14 for each $1,000 (or part) over $50,000 |
Example: for an estate worth $500,000, the probate fee is $6,450 ($150 for the portion between $25,000 and $50,000, plus $6,300 for the $450,000 above $50,000).
Fees are based on assets that pass through the estate. Some assets, such as property held in joint tenancy or accounts with a named beneficiary, usually pass outside it. A separate court filing fee also applies.
Probate fee calculator
Enter the estimated value of the estate to see the provincial probate fee.
Estimated probate fee
$6,450
An estimate only, based on the Probate Fee Act rates. Legal fees and the court filing fee are separate.
Estate litigation in Abbotsford
When a will seems unfair or an estate is not being handled properly, the deadlines are short. These are the disputes our estate litigation lawyers handle most often:
- Wills variation claims by a spouse or child who was left out or treated unfairly (WESA section 60)
- Starting a wills variation claim within 180 days of the grant of probate
- Challenging a will for lack of mental capacity, undue influence or improper signing
- Filing a notice of dispute to stop a grant of probate while concerns are raised
- Removing or replacing an executor who is not acting properly
- Asking an executor for estate accounts and information about delays
- Trust litigation, and disputes over farm property, joint bank accounts and other assets held outside the will
- Defending executors against claims brought by beneficiaries
How we help Abbotsford executors and families
Whether the estate is simple or contested, we handle the legal work and explain each step in plain language.
Applying for probate
Preparing and filing your application in the Supreme Court of BC.
Estates without a will
Applying to administer the estate when someone dies without a will.
Interpreting the will
Explaining what the will and related documents mean for the executor.
Assets and distribution
Identifying, valuing and distributing estate assets correctly.
Debts and creditor claims
Managing the estate's debts and claims from creditors.
Disagreements among beneficiaries
Resolving conflict early, before it delays the estate.
Probate and estate questions from Abbotsford families
Probate is a BC Supreme Court application. Abbotsford has a Supreme Court registry at the Abbotsford Law Courts, 32375 Veterans Way. We prepare and file the application for you, and most are decided without a court appearance.
A wills variation claim must be started within 180 days after the grant of probate, and the executor must be served within 30 days after that. Other challenges have their own limits, so get advice as soon as you have concerns.
Not always. It depends on what the person owned and how it was held. Banks and the land title office often require a grant before they release or transfer assets. We can tell you at your consultation whether the estate needs one.
There are two parts: the provincial probate fee, which depends on the value of the estate (see the fee table and calculator above), and legal fees. We explain the expected costs at your first consultation.
Yes. Our Abbotsford office is at Office 1211, #104-32615 South Fraser Way. You can also meet us at our Surrey or Vancouver office, or by phone or video from anywhere in BC.
Estate lawyers near Abbotsford
Meet with a probate or estate lawyer in Abbotsford, or at one of our other offices. Phone and video meetings are available anywhere in British Columbia.
Probate lawyer in Abbotsford
Helping executors and families across the Fraser Valley, including Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack.
Office 1211, #104-32615 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1X8 Abbotsford probate lawyersProbate lawyer in Surrey
Helping executors and families in Surrey, Delta, Langley and White Rock.
#208-5455 152 Street, Surrey, BC V3S 5A5 Surrey probate lawyersProbate lawyer in Vancouver
Helping executors and families in Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond.
#1300, 1500 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6G 2Z6 Vancouver officeTalk to an estate lawyer in Abbotsford
Book a consultation and we’ll explain what the estate needs, or where you stand in a dispute. Office at #104-32615 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford.