Experienced Estate Lawyer in Victoria, BC
Planning for your family’s future is one of the most important steps you can take. As an experienced estate lawyer in Victoria BC, I help you protect your assets, document your wishes, and make sure your loved ones are taken care of when you no longer can.
Whether you need a will, a power of attorney, a trust, or help navigating probate after a loss, you will work directly with me, Sunny Tathgar, from your first consultation to the final signed document. No associates, no handoffs, just clear legal guidance tailored to your life and your family.
I serve clients across Victoria, Langford, Sooke, Duncan, and Nanaimo. Every consultation is free, so you can understand your options before committing to anything.
Why Choose Tathgar Law for Estate Planning?
Estate planning is not just about paperwork. It is about making sure the people you care about are protected and that your wishes are carried out exactly as you intended. At Tathgar Law, I provide knowledgeable, personalized service to support you with:
- Custom wills that reflect your wishes and comply with BC law
- Trusts designed to protect your assets, reduce probate fees, and manage how your estate is distributed
- Powers of attorney and representation agreements so someone you trust can make financial and health care decisions on your behalf
- Probate and estate administration guidance for executors and families navigating the court process
- Ongoing legal guidance from a trusted estate lawyer in Victoria BC who knows your file and your family
Every client is unique. I take the time to understand your goals, explain your options in plain language, and create legally sound documents that support your long-term intentions.
Estate Planning Services
Wills
I draft clear, legally binding wills that reflect your values and minimize the risk of disputes. Your will specifies how your assets are distributed, names a guardian for minor children, and appoints an executor to carry out your wishes. Every will I prepare meets the requirements of BC's Wills, Estates and Succession Act.
Trusts
Whether you are considering an alter ego trust, spousal trust, disability trust, or testamentary trust, I will help you determine the best structure to reduce taxes, avoid probate, and manage your estate effectively. Trusts can also protect vulnerable beneficiaries and give you control over how and when your assets are distributed.
Powers of Attorney (POA)
A POA lets you appoint someone to make financial or legal decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. I will guide you through choosing the right attorney, defining their authority, and drafting a POA that suits your needs without giving away more control than you intend.
Representation Agreements (RA)
These legal documents, formerly called living wills, allow you to appoint a representative for health care and personal care decisions if you become incapacitated. I will ensure your medical wishes are clearly documented and legally protected so your family is not left guessing.
Probate & Estate Administration
If you have been named executor of a loved one's estate, I guide you through every step of the probate process in BC. From applying for a Grant of Probate through the Supreme Court of British Columbia to identifying assets, communicating with financial institutions, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries, I help you fulfill your legal duties efficiently and with minimal stress.
Executor Support
Being an executor comes with significant legal responsibilities. I help executors understand their duties, meet filing deadlines, deal with creditors, and distribute assets correctly. Whether the estate is straightforward or complex, you do not have to manage it alone.
When Should You Hire an Estate Lawyer in Victoria BC?
Many people put off estate planning until a major life event forces the conversation. The best time to put your plan in place is before you need it, but these are the moments when hiring an estate lawyer becomes essential:
- Getting married or remarried, especially when blending families or bringing assets into a new household
- Having a child or grandchild, to name guardians and set up financial protections
- Buying a home or acquiring significant assets, which changes how your estate should be structured
- Going through a divorce or separation, which often requires updating wills, POAs, and beneficiary designations
- Starting a business, to ensure your business interests pass smoothly to your chosen successors
- Losing a loved one, when you need help with probate, estate administration, or interpreting an existing will
- Approaching retirement, the ideal time to review your entire estate plan and make sure it still reflects your wishes
If any of these apply to you, a free consultation is the easiest way to understand what documents you need and what it will take to put them in place.
Call for a consultation
Estate legal fees vary depending on the complexity of your situation. A straightforward will costs less than a full estate plan with multiple trusts and POAs. Probate and estate administration fees depend on the size and complexity of the estate. I offer a free consultation so you can understand your options and the likely costs before making any commitment. Call 250.381.4040 to discuss your needs.
You should speak with an estate lawyer when you experience a major life event such as marriage, the birth of a child, buying property, divorce, starting a business, or approaching retirement. You should also hire an estate lawyer if you have been named executor of an estate and need help with probate. If you do not have a will at all, that is reason enough to book a consultation.
A will is a single document that directs how your assets are distributed after death. An estate plan is broader and can include your will, powers of attorney, representation agreements, trusts, beneficiary designations, and tax strategies. Together, these documents cover both what happens after you pass and who makes decisions for you if you become incapacitated.
BC law does not strictly require a lawyer to create a will, but an improperly drafted or witnessed will can be challenged, declared invalid, or fail to carry out your wishes. A lawyer ensures your will complies with the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, reduces the chance of disputes, and covers issues you may not have considered, such as guardian appointments and executor powers.
Not all estates require probate. Small estates, assets held jointly with a right of survivorship, and assets with named beneficiaries such as life insurance or RRSPs may pass outside of probate. However, most financial institutions require a Grant of Probate before releasing significant assets held in the deceased’s name. I can help you determine whether probate is needed and guide you through the process if it is.
Proper planning, including the use of trusts, joint ownership, and beneficiary designations, can reduce or eliminate the need for probate. Probate is a court process that confirms a will is valid and authorizes the executor to administer the estate. It can be time-consuming and expensive, so structuring your assets to minimize probate is one of the most effective ways to preserve wealth for your beneficiaries.
It depends on your situation. A will is essential for most people because it directs asset distribution and names an executor. Trusts offer additional control and asset protection, and can help reduce probate fees and taxes. I can help you assess whether a trust adds value based on your assets, family situation, and goals.
Review your estate plan every 3 to 5 years, or sooner after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary, acquiring or selling significant assets, or changes in BC estate law. An outdated plan can create confusion or fail to reflect your current wishes.
BC probate fees are based on the value of the estate. No probate fee is charged on the first $25,000. The portion from $25,000 to $50,000 is charged at $6 per $1,000, while the portion above $50,000 is charged at $14 per $1,000. For an estate valued at $500,000, the probate fee is about $6,450, plus a $200 court filing fee. Use the BC Probate Fee Calculator to estimate the total.
Your Legacy, Legally Protected
As a dedicated estate lawyer in Victoria BC, my goal is to provide you with a clear, thorough, and compassionate legal experience. Here is what you can expect:
Legal Protection
Every estate plan I prepare is grounded in legal precision, ensuring your documents are valid, enforceable, and built to protect your interests under BC law.
Asset Preservation
I help minimize tax burdens and shield your assets from unnecessary risk, ensuring more of your wealth goes to the people you care about rather than to probate fees and taxes.
Personalized Planning
From wills and trusts to powers of attorney and health care directives, each document is tailored to your unique life, family, and goals. No templates, no cookie-cutter solutions.
Family Harmony
With clear communication and detailed planning, I help reduce the potential for conflict between heirs and ensure your final wishes are followed without ambiguity.
Direct Access to Your Lawyer
When you call Tathgar Law, you speak with me directly. No junior associates, no receptionist screening your questions. You get the same lawyer from consultation to completion.
What Clients are Saying
Don't Leave the Fate of Your Assets Up to Chance: Contact an Estate Lawyer in Victoria BC Today
With compassionate service, legal expertise, and a commitment to excellence, Tathgar Law is here to support you every step of the way.
Book your free consultation today and start building a comprehensive estate plan that brings peace of mind now and protects your loved ones in the future.