Experienced Estate Litigators
Richter Trial Lawyers | thegoodfirm has experienced estate litigators who have over 25 years of experience in helping clients with estate litigation in Vancouver. Our firm handles many legal challenges that can arise in a trust or estate at the BC Supreme Court, the BC Court of Appeal, and through mediated settlements. Let our expertise work for you.
Why do you need an Estate Litigation Lawyer?
A trust or the estate of a loved one can be a contentious issue amongst family members. Disputes may arise over the validity of will, disinheriting of a sibling or relative, or a family member’s handling of a deceased’s person estate. Getting legal advice at the outset can help make sure your rights are protected. Under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, there are crucial time limits that apply to starting a wills variation claim, contesting a will and administering an estate. Some of the situations our lawyers can advise and represent you include:
- Where an executor in a will does not file for probate
- Where a family member has a will but will not share it or apply for probate
- You are unsure if you are included in a loved one’s will
- You want information about how an executor is handling the administration of an estate
- A loved one transferred property to another family member before passing
- A will is ambiguous or unclear
- You have been left out of a will or disinherited
- You believe a loved one’s will was the result of undue influence
- You believe there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the preparation of a will
- You believe a family member lacked the mental capacity to make a will
Every situation is unique and we encourage you to contact us for a consultation with one of our lawyers to explain the law, how it applies to your situation and what your options are.
How We Can Help
Our firm has extensive experiences handling estate litigation matters at the BC Supreme Court, the BC Court of Appeal and in alternative dispute resolution . Our work includes opposing and applying for applications for probate, wills variation claims, applications to be appointed executor or have an executor removed, defending claims made against executors, beneficiaries or estates, applying for proof of a will in solemn form; claims involving competing wills, and recovering missing assets.
One of our most notable decisions is McBride v. Voth 2010 BCSC 443 (CanLII), a case in which our firm acted for the beneficiaries. Since 2010, McBride v. Voth has been referred to in other estate decisions 38 times including:
- Turpin v. Turpin Estate, 2019 BCSC 150
- Peterson v. Welwood, 2018 BCSC 1379
- Williams v. Williams Estate, 2018 BCSC 711
- Enns v. Gordon Estate, 2018 BCSC 705
- Lamperstorfer v. Plett, 2018 BCSC 89
- Eastman v. Eastman Estate, 2016 BCSC 1728
- Scott-Polson v. Lupkoski 2013 BCCA 428
- Moore v. Drummond, 2013 BCSC 1762
- McMain v. Leblanc, 2013 BCSC 891
- Scott-Polson v. Henley, 2013 BCSC 247
- Gray v. Gray, 2012 BCSC 1310
- Dunsdon v. Dunsdon, 2012 BCSC 1274
- O’Hara v. Chipilski Estate, 2012 BCSC 1135