These programs examine estate administration procedures for “standard” estates and highlight potential issues for estates with unique considerations; identify common challenges and traps in estate administration; explore ethical issues that can arise during estate administration; and consider communication and client relationship management skills/techniques.  The total running time for each presentation ranges between 53 minutes to 1 hour, 32 minutes.

Designed for newly called lawyers, or for those looking to revisit the basics, this presentation explores the grant application process in estate administration matters. Topics include required information during the grant application; relevant surrogate forms; and applicable legislation. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program on October 26, 2023 as part of our Practice Foundations: Estate Administration program.  Total running time is 1 hour, 32 minutes.

Explore amendments to the Surrogate Rules and Surrogate Forms and how the changes impact your wills and estates practice. Review the role of the court, the role of the clerks, and the new process for online grant applications and issuance. This on-demand program originally broadcast on June 17, 2022. Total running time is 3 hours, 14 minutes.

Consider best practices in an estate administration practice. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person session on April 29, 2022, as part of our Managing Wills and Estates Matters program. Total running time is 49 minutes.

Explore in-depth issues relating to estate planning and estate administration. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program on April 29, 2022. Total running time for each presentation is approximately 45 minutes. Each presentation in this program is available for individual purchase.

In this presentation, Jason Sweeney discusses the personal representative's duty to account, forms of accounts, types of accounting, and what must be proven. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program in November 2016.

Review key aspects of estate administration, from documents and timelines, to some of the common issues lawyers face in a typical (non-contested) estate. Learn strategies for informal administration of estates, develop an awareness of basic tax matters that affect estates, and more. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program in November 2016.

In this presentation, David Koski discusses the general duties and core tasks of personal representatives, such as identifying estate assets and liabilities, administering and managing the estate, and satisfying debts and obligations of the estate. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program in November 2016.

In this presentation, Predrag Tomic discusses grant applications, including expedited and limited grants of administration, and identifies strategies for dealing with unusual situations in estate administration, such as a missing will or beneficiary. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program in November 2016.  

In this presentation, Michael Klaray discusses drafting to avoid problems associated with having multiple executors. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program in November 2016.

In this presentation, S. Dane ZoBell discusses select tax issues in estate administration. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program in November 2016.

This presentation discusses the business of law and client management as it applies to an estate administration practice. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program in November 2016.

The Alberta Wills and Estates Practice Manual is a comprehensive resource for any wills and estates practitioner. Chock-full of essential information and helpful tips, this two-part manual contains information on estate planning and administration. Whether you are drafting a will or probating one, this manual is a go-to resource.

This paper explores the nuts and bolts of grant applications including determining whether to use the Surrogate Digital Service or the paper-based GA forms. It focuses on the information that courts require during the grant application such as the name(s) of the deceased; applicant(s) and priority to apply; wills and codicils marked for identification; beneficiaries; intended recipients of void and revoked gifts; potential claimants; assets and liabilities of the deceased; oaths, affirmations, and certifications; filing, serving, and awaiting the court’s decision; applicable legislation; and relevant surrogate forms. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Practice Foundations: Estate Administration program in Edmonton on October 26, 2023.

Using the author’s experiences over the years, this paper considers best practices in an estate administration practice. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Managing Wills and Estates Matters program in Banff on April 29, 2022.

Personal representatives often reach out to estate practitioners for advice and guidance. This paper aims to familiarize readers with some of the challenges faced by personal representatives and provide an overview of the general duties and core tasks of personal representatives. It includes a basic review of estate administration fundamentals, and then discusses, in detail, the core tasks of personal representatives, including: identifying the estate assets and liabilities; administering and managing the estate; satisfying debts and obligations of the estate; and distributing and accounting for the administration of the estate. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Estate Administration Fundamentals program held in Edmonton on November 30, 2016 and in Calgary on December 7, 2016.