Guiding Clients Through Complex Estate Issues

If you recently lost a loved one in Richmond, British Columbia, you deserve the chance to grieve without worrying about how the estate is handled. If you’re concerned that the estate planning documents are not valid or were not followed by the executor, contact our Richmond law office for help investigating your claims.

When you hire Lam Legal Trial Lawyers, you’ll work closely with a team that genuinely cares about your case outcome, so we’ll listen to your description of events and offer our guidance during the consultation. Call today to discuss your next steps with our estate lawyers.

What Causes Estate Disputes?

One of the most common reasons family members dispute an estate is a lack of an estate plan. When people pass away without wills or trusts in place, the family must rely on the courts to determine who gets which assets, often leading to arguments during an emotionally charged situation.

Of course, even when there’s an estate plan, estate disputes often occur. This is because the laws surrounding wills and trusts are complex, and the overwhelming emotions a person experiences while grieving can make them act out in ways they normally wouldn’t. They may feel their loved one was unfair with their inheritance or that other family members are trying to get more than their fair share of assets.

Aside from complicated family dynamics, there may be issues with estate planning documents. These include undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, or outdated terms that don’t reflect the person’s wishes when they passed away. We can help with these concerns.

What Kinds of Estate Disputes Can We Handle?

Our trusted lawyers have won numerous cases involving British Columbia estates, so we’ll take on your estate dispute with ease. The following are some of the conflicts we regularly resolve for clients:

• Will variation
• Capacity claims
• Breach of trust
• Undue influence

We realize these and other types of disputes are sensitive in nature, especially when you suspect someone in your family is to blame for wrongdoing. However, you deserve to know the truth and ensure your loved one’s assets are distributed according to their wishes, and we can help. Contact us to learn more.

Who Can You Hold Responsible for Estate Issues?

If you’re at the beginning stages of your estate dispute, we recommend you contact our British Columbia law office for help determining how to proceed. If you’re unsure who to bring your case against, we’ll review your concerns before advising you.

Your reason for bringing a legal claim will determine who to bring the claim against. For example, suppose you believe the executor of your loved one’s estate ignored the interests of the beneficiaries. In that case, you can file a lawsuit with the court to remove them and appoint an administrator in their place. 

If you think someone had undue influence on your loved one, pressuring them to write a new will that benefits the person in question, you can request an investigation. Additionally, if you think your deceased family member was to blame, you can ask our team to review the estate planning documents to ensure they adhere to British Columbia’s Wills, Estate, and Succession Act. We can also talk to medical professionals to determine if your loved one was in the right mental state when they wrote their will.

How Can Richmond Estate Litigation Lawyers Assist You?

Our compassionate Richmond estate litigation lawyers understand that many of these issues involve family members who have sadly found themselves adversaries of other loved ones. While we will always be staunch advocates for our clients, you can depend on our team to treat your case with sensitivity and empathy since we realize you’re likely still grieving.

If you’re ready to get answers to your legal concerns, you need help from a lawyer with your best interests in mind. Call our Richmond law office at 604-800-0774 to schedule a free consultation with our compassionate lawyers.