Estate Services

The creation of an Estate Plan and a Will is a necessary but sometimes uncomfortable undertaking. Most people don’t want to think about what will happen to their families and loved ones if they are no longer able to take care of them. One of the kindest things you can do for your loved ones is to leave clear, unambiguous instruction about how to move forward should you become ill, incapacitated or pass away. 

Ellis Legal Group can help you articulate your final wishes, put a plan in place, and assist in the administration and distribution of your estate when the time comes.

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Planning for Your Family’s Future 

Planning your estate is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your family. Our experienced team at Ellis Legal Group can help ensure your loved ones are fully protected and your wishes are carried out and in the event of your incapacity or death. 

Estate planning goes beyond just drafting a Will, there are many aspects to be considered including health, finances, tax planning, and who will carry out your wishes when you no longer can. 

• Will: the cornerstone of an estate plan to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes upon your death. Without a Will, your property may not be dispersed as you had intended. Wills can be drawn up without the benefit of a lawyer but a more holistic estate plan that takes into account such implications as tax issues and changing life circumstances will ensure your assets are managed in the most effective way possible. 
  
  
• Power of Attorney: allows you to assign a person or persons the authority to manage your assets should you become unable to do so yourself due to illness or incapacitation. A Power of Attorney must be drawn up while you are still able to understand the decisions you are making and the consequences of these decisions. 
  
  
• Personal Directive: assigns a designated person or persons to make decisions of a personal nature, including health care decisions, and to ensure any medical treatment is carried out according to your wishes should you become too ill to make those decisions yourself. A Personal Directive also allows you to communicate your preferences for health care treatment options to both family members and health care providers. 
  
  

Finalizing the affairs of a loved one can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with grief and loss.     Our lawyers at Ellis Legal Group can assist both beneficiaries and estate administrators following the passing of a loved one. We help them understand their roles and assist them in handling it as efficiently and effectively as possible. Our guidance, advice and practical solutions can ease the burden to you and your loved ones prior to, during, and following this emotionally challenging time.

Creating Your Estate Plan

Leaving your loved ones with everything they need to carry out your final wishes is truly the greatest final gift you can give them. Our lawyers at Ellis Legal Group provide information, education, support and solutions to ensure your Estate Plan is clear, enforceable and reflects your vision. 

We offer fair and affordable pricing, and special rates for existing clients. Wills are charged a flat rate fee in most cases, and we would be happy to discuss Estate Plan pricing during your free, 30-minute consultation. 

Estate Plans and Wills will require review and revision as life circumstances change. Marriage, separation, death, children, aging, etc. can all affect, and may necessitate a revision of, your Estate Plan. We are always available to answer questions and make any updates as required.

Planning For Your Family’s Well Being

Estate Plans and Wills become your voice when you are no longer able to speak for yourself. It can be difficult to think about what your wishes are in the event of illness, incapacity or death, and the lawyers at Ellis Legal Group can help you work through the discomfort.

Family structures and dynamics today are unique and can be complex. How you plan and prepare your estate will have a significant effect on the loved ones you leave behind. 

Our lawyers will guide and advise you to create an Estate Plan and Will that ensures the assets you’ve accumulated through a lifetime of hard work end up exactly where you intended, and that any potential for conflict during your incapacity, or following your death, are minimized. 

Much of our Wills and Estate planning work comes from our family law clients following a life change such as marriage, cohabitation, divorce or separation. They are concerned about being able to provide security for their loved ones should they die or become ill, and they entrust us at Ellis Legal Group to ensure their wishes are clearly articulated and will be upheld by the courts.

Securing Your Family’s Assets: Our Process

If you’ve been wondering about planning your estate or having a Will drafted, Ellis Legal Group is here to help. We provide a free, 30-minute consultation and can answer any questions you may have. 

• Initial consultation: we explain the estate planning documents, how they work and why they are important. While most people understand the purpose of a Will, they may not be as familiar with the accompanying Personal Directive and Power of Attorney documents. 
  
  If you choose to move forward following our initial discussion, we follow up with a questionnaire and retainer agreement. Once we receive the completed questionnaire and agreement from you, we follow up via phone if we require additional information. We then prepare the documents and send them back to you for review and approval. 
  
  
• In-person consultation: once you have approved the estate plan documents, we book an appointment to meet in person to sign the documents.
  
  Estate Administration occurs after an individual has died and normally the personal representative (the Executor) named in the Will or a close family member, retains our services to assist in the process of obtaining a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Administration and in the distribution of the deceased party’s estate. Ellis Legal Group will provide legal counsel, guide the process, and manage all of the paperwork to ensure the terms of the Estate Plan are followed, and to represent your interests should the Will be challenged. 
  
  

During our free 30-minute telephone consultation we provide you with an overview of the process and the information we will require to proceed.  During our more comprehensive in-person consultation, we will get into the specifics, discuss any concerns, request any information we will ultimately require, and identify options for proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to get a Grant of Probate? 

A: It may take a number of months, subject to processing times of the Court. However, there are also a number of other factors to consider, including the amount of time it takes to gather the necessary information and to serve beneficiaries and other interested parties.  Upon consideration of all of those factors, your lawyer will be able to provide a better estimate of timeline.

Q: What is the difference between a grant of probate and a grant of administration? 

A: If the deceased party dies with a Will, the personal representative named in that Will is entitled to apply for a Grant of Probate. If the deceased party dies without a Will, you may be able to apply for a Grant of Administration. Both grants allow the representative to take control of and distribute their loved one’s estate.

Our Practice is Dedicated to Family Law

Let us be your greatest asset during times of family transition. Ellis Legal Group takes a client-centered approach by educating our clients on family law, guiding you through a range of legal options, and customizing solutions to meet your unique needs. Being client-centered also means we do everything in a caring and supportive manner and with the utmost professionalism and integrity. Serving Calgary, Okotoks and surrounding areas.