Wills & Estates

Learn More About Wills & Estates

Wills

Personal Directives

Power of Attorney

Having a Will means having a say in how your family will be taken care of financially after you pass away. Having a Will enables you to maintain control over management and distribution of your assets after death. If you have children of the age of minority, having a Will also means ensuring that people of your choosing take care of your children after death.

To ensure that your Will does what you intend it to do, we urge you to meet with a Wills and Estates lawyer who can properly advise you on the law applicable to your situation and help you draft your Will in accordance with your needs. You may have obligations to Dependents; you may have assets that call for special consideration; you may have conditions upon which you would want your assets to be distributed amongst your loved ones. Everyone’s situation is unique and preparation of a Will must be approached as such. A cookie-cutter approach is not only inappropriate but can and often does lead to prolonged and expensive court battles for those you leave behind.

Anna Shulman has been practicing in the area of Wills and Estates for over 20 years and she welcomes you to use our expertise in this area of law. With our free half hour initial consultation and competitive rates, your questions will be answered, legal issues explained and estate planning needs met in a professional and friendly environment.

Personal Directive is a document in which you give legal authority to a trusted person or persons to make decisions of a personal, non-financial nature on your behalf, in the event you lose the mental capacity to make such decisions for yourself. Personal Directive comes into effect upon mental incapacity and enables your appointed person, referred to as Agent, to step in without delay and ensure that you and your personal affairs are looked after. Your appointed Agent has the authority to make health-care decisions on your behalf and determine the best possible care for you, including your accommodations and activities. Your Agent also has the authority to deal with any legal matters on your behalf that are not directly related to your finances.

If you do not have a Personal Directive and lose the capacity to make sound decisions regarding your person, a court application would be required for someone to obtain the authority to make the decisions for you. This may be someone you do not trust or a person who does not have your best interests at heart. That is why we urge you to have a Personal Directive prepared; it will ensure that you have a trusted person of your choosing in your corner when you need them. We welcome you to use the expertise of our lawyers at Capital City Law to have your questions regarding Personal Directive answered and the document prepared.

Power of Attorney is a document in which you give legal authority to a trusted person or persons to make financial decisions on your behalf and manage your finances during your lifetime. This document is important if you lose the capacity to manage your finances or are unable to attend to your financial matters personally, as it ensures that someone you trust manages your financial affairs for your benefit and in such manner as instructed in the Power of Attorney document.

If you do not have a Power of Attorney and lose the capacity to make sound decisions regarding your finances, a court application would be required for someone to obtain the authority to make the financial decisions for you. This may be someone you do not trust or a person who does not have your and your family’s best interests at heart. That is why we urge you to have a Power of Attorney prepared; it will ensure that you have a trusted person of your choosing in your corner when and if the need arises. We welcome you to use the expertise of our lawyers at Capital City Law to have your questions regarding Power of Attorney answered and the document prepared.

Grant of Probate

Grant of Administration

Losing a loved one is often a painful time of mourning. If you have been appointed as Executor in the deceased’s Will, in addition to dealing with emotions around loss, you will have the responsibility of administering the deceased’s estate and may need to apply to court to Probate the Will. Application for Probate is essentially an application to validate the Will and enable you to have access to the estate assets.

A court application for Probate can be a confusing and daunting process. Anna Shulman has been practicing in the area of Wills and Estates for over 20 years and she welcomes you to use her expertise. She approaches each client with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity. We offer a free half hour consultation to help you determine whether a Grant of Probate is required, as well as explain the application process, take you through all steps in making the application and answer any questions you may have.

Losing a loved one is often a painful time of mourning. When your loved one dies without a Will, in addition to dealing with emotions around loss, you may have to apply to court for a Grand of Administration. This application appoints a formal representative with the authority to administer the estate.

A court application for Grant of Administration can be a confusing and daunting process. Anna Shulman has been practicing in the area of Wills and Estates for over 20 years and she welcomes you to use her expertise. She approaches each client with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity. We offer a free half hour consultation to help you determine whether a Grant of Administration is required, as well as explain the application process, take you through all steps in making the application and answer any questions you may have.

Estate Administration

As the Executor or Administrator of the estate, you have a legal obligation to fulfil your duties to the required legal standards. It becomes your job to do the following:

Make funeral arrangements;

Notify the appropriate authorities about the deceased’s passing;

Ascertain the assets and debts of the estate;

Ensure that the assets are kept safe;

Deal with all just debts of the estate;

Determine appropriate beneficiaries of the estate;

Liquidate estate assets (where required);

Deal with any taxation matters pertaining to the estate;

Contact all appropriate persons, like spouses, children and beneficiaries of the estate;

Distribute the estate in accordance with the legal requirements.

Administering an estate can often be a daunting and confusing endeavour, especially if at the same time you are dealing with the emotions surrounding loss of a loved one. Anna Shulman has been practicing in the area of Wills and Estates for over 20 years and she welcomes you to use her expertise. She approaches each client with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity. We offer a free half hour consultation to explain your duties and obligations to you and answer any questions you may have regarding estate administration.

Capital City Law provides thorough, professional, and results-oriented legal guidance in all areas of estate and personal planning. Organizing your financial and personal affairs is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and those you care about. Proper estate planning ensures that your wishes are respected, your assets are protected, and your loved ones are supported during times that can otherwise be uncertain or difficult.

Our experienced lawyers guide clients through estate planning and estate administration matters with clarity, sensitivity, and care. We assist individuals and families in preparing carefully structured legal documents that reflect their wishes and take effect both during their lifetime and after death, providing continuity, clarity, and peace of mind. We take the time to understand our clients’ personal circumstances, family dynamics and long-term objectives so that each plan reflects their values and promotes their family’s well-being.

Estate planning extends beyond the preparation of a Will. While a Will determines how assets are distributed, who will manage the estate and who will care for minor children after the testator’s death, additional documents such as Power of Attorney and Personal Directive ensure that trusted individuals can make financial and personal decisions if capacity is lost. Without proper planning, loved ones may be forced to seek court intervention, resulting in delays, unnecessary expense and outcomes that may not align with your intentions. These situations are largely preventable with careful estate planning.

We also provide guidance and representation in estate administration matters. Whether an Executor requires a Grant of Probate, an Administrator must be appointed where there is no Will, or assistance is needed to properly carry out estate responsibilities, we support our clients through each stage of the process. Our approach emphasizes transparency, efficiency, and practical solutions. We keep our fees very reasonable because we do not charge our clients based on the value of the estate.

Our Wills & Estates Services Include:

Preparation of Wills.
Preparation of Powers of Attorney.
Preparation of Personal Directives.
Court applications for Grants of Probate.
Court applications for Grants of Administration.
Administration of Estates.

At Capital City Law, we understand that estate planning and estate administration matters are deeply personal and often arise during sensitive moments. Our approach is driven by professionalism, clarity, and respect for our clients’ wishes. We are committed to providing practical, reliable legal guidance that protects your assets, supports you and your loved ones, and gives you confidence that your affairs are properly organized.

Whether you are planning ahead or managing an estate, we are here to guide you through the process with care, transparency, and diligence.

Contact Us

Need to speak to an Edmonton Wills & Estates lawyer right away?

If you have questions about your will, estate planning, or the administration of an estate, it’s important to seek guidance from a knowledgeable lawyer. Contact our office to discuss your situation and ensure your interests are properly protected.