Wills and Estates
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the last thing you should worry about is whether their wishes will be carried out correctly. Our team takes the time to understand your family dynamics, financial landscape, and personal values, so we can craft an estate plan that not only reflects your intentions but also minimizes the risk of future disputes.
Our process begins with a comprehensive review of your assets and objectives. We walk you through the options: simple wills, testamentary trusts, discretionary family trusts, and beyond. At each stage, we explain how each vehicle can protect your estate from unnecessary taxes, creditor claims, or unintended beneficiaries.
We will work with your financial and tax advisors to coordinate estate-freezing techniques, charitable giving provisions, and staggered inheritance schedules, ensuring that your legacy endures exactly as you envision.
When it comes time to administer an estate, many executors find the legal requirements and creditor notice deadlines overwhelming. As administration counsel, we step in to guide or assume the executor role, handling probate applications, asset valuations, creditor outreach, and final distributions with meticulous care. You can lean on us to keep the process moving smoothly while your family focuses on what truly matters.
Estate disputes can be emotionally charged and legally complex. Whether the conflict involves Will interpretation, allegations of undue influence, executor misconduct, or dependents’ relief claims under the Succession Law Reform Act, our litigators bring both compassion and tenacity to the table. We combine rigorous case preparation with document analysis, expert reports, and strategic pleadings with a measured courtroom presence aimed at resolving disputes efficiently and fairly.
Our comprehensive wills and estates services include:
- Customized will drafting, review, and updating to reflect life changes.
- Powers of attorney and personal directives to safeguard your decision-making.
- Testamentary and inter-vivos trust creation for tax and asset protection.
- Estate administration counsel or full executor/trustee services on your behalf.
- Guidance on probate filings, creditor claims, and asset distribution logistics.
- Representation in contested estates, including will challenges, trustee/executor disputes, and dependent support applications.
With Sutherland Law’s wills and estates team, you will have a resolute partner who anticipates challenges, simplifies the complex, and protects your family’s future every step of the way.
