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 · Surrey, BC
Probate and estate lawyers in Surrey, BC
Named as an executor, or worried about how an estate is being handled? Our Surrey estate lawyers help families in Surrey, White Rock, Delta and Langley apply for probate, settle estates and resolve will disputes, from our office on 152 Street in South Surrey.
- Office at #208-5455 152 Street, Surrey
- Probate, estate administration and will disputes
- Meet in person, by phone or by video
Book an estate consultation in Surrey
Tell us a little about the estate and we'll be in touch to arrange a time.
Probate in Surrey
Applying for probate when the estate is in Surrey
Probate is the BC Supreme Court process that confirms a will and gives the executor authority to deal with the estate. Surrey does not have a Supreme Court registry of its own: the courthouse on 57 Avenue hears Provincial Court matters only. The nearest Supreme Court registry for Surrey families is the New Westminster Law Courts at 651 Carnarvon Street.
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 Surrey 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 Surrey
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 when a will is unfair to a spouse or child (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
- Disputes over joint bank accounts, real estate and other assets held outside the will
- Defending executors against claims brought by beneficiaries
How we help Surrey 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 Surrey families
Probate is a BC Supreme Court application. Surrey has no Supreme Court registry, so most Surrey applications go to the New Westminster Law Courts registry at 651 Carnarvon Street. 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 Surrey office is at #208-5455 152 Street. You can also meet us at our Abbotsford or Vancouver office, or by phone or video from anywhere in BC.
Estate lawyers near Surrey
Meet with a probate or estate lawyer in Surrey, 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 Surrey
Book a consultation and we’ll explain what the estate needs, or where you stand in a dispute. Office at #208-5455 152 Street, Surrey.