If you do not have a will, there is legislation that will designate who has an interest in your estate and who gets shares. This may not be what you want to have happen. A Will lets you express your intentions after you are no longer around to direct matters. It can save expensive fees and taxes. A Will is a key financial document. The team at SVR draws upon a wealth of experience and knowledge to help you navigate the many decisions that come with the making of a Will. Our lawyers are ready to assist with:
crafting an estate plan that’s right for you
drafting wills, enduring powers of attorney, personal directives, and trusts
business succession
If you are currently without a Will or would like to update a current Will, our team is ready to meet with you to determine how to best preserve your wealth and your wishes for future generations. We also recommend that you have a Personal Directive to assist with your health decisions and an Enduring Power of Attorney to allow management of your estate if you lose capacity.
When it comes time to administer an estate and carry out the wishes of a loved one, you shouldn’t feel alone. The process can be complicated and overwhelming. We are here to help. SVR’s Estates group regularly provides advice and assistance with a broad range of estate administration issues, including:
Applying for grants of probate or administration
Managing trusts
Passing accounts
Locating and preserving assets
Seeking advice and direction from the Court
Managing conflicts and competing interests
We offer a variety of flexible arrangements to assist you in all stages of the administration of an estate. Please contact us to learn how we can help.
Estates can get messy. Disputes between beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries (often family members) can be highly emotional and highly consequential. SVR’s experienced litigators will dispassionately but vigorously advocate for your rights and interests when such disputes arise. We have acted for clients in various contested matters including:
Validating/contesting a will
Determining a testator’s capacity
Undue influence and unconscionable procurement
improper discharge of personal representative’s duties
Dependent relief claims
Adult interdependent partner and spousal claims
In all matters, our lawyers bring to bear decades of litigation and dispute resolution experience with the objective of working towards a fair resolution in a timely and cost-effective manner. SVR lawyers are also skilled courtroom advocates who, where necessary, will fight to ensure your rights are protected. In addition, we have experience in alternate dispute resolution processes to resolve these disputes.
We also offer mediation services for family and estate disputes with an experienced mediator/arbitrator.
