Wills, Estates and Trusts

Everyone should have an estate plan in place to ensure a smooth transition of their assets and care for their loved ones. We understand this process can be emotional and is unique for each individual and we know what needs to be done to ensure that your wishes are upheld and your loved ones are protected. 

Our estate planning services cover everything from the creation of your plan to the eventual administration of your estate. While we draft wills for hundreds of clients annually, a comprehensive estate plan is much more than a will - the right plan minimizes taxes and probate fees and represents your wishes both before and after you die.

Our lawyers are adept at understanding your wishes and advising on the best way of proceeding. We know the questions to ask to put the right plan in place for your estate including the following:

• Wills - Making a will is important to ensure that your wishes are carried out by law. If you die without a will, the government distributes your estate according to provincial law.
• Powers of Attorney – This is protection for you in the event that you become unable to make important legal and financial decisions while you are alive. 
• Representation Agreements - This is your appointment of a trusted person to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to because of mental or physical disability.
• Trusts – These are established to preserve assets for a specific purpose such as educating children or caring for someone with special needs or for tax planning purposes. Trusts are created in a way that is tax effective and that ensure funds are protected for the intended purpose.
• Tax Planning – We assist clients with strategies for wealth transfer and business succession to ensure that the plan that is put in place minimizes the tax impact.
• Business Owners – We work closely with owners of businesses of all sizes to develop tax effective succession plans that meet their objectives.
• Planned Giving - Clients often include a charitable aspect to their estate plan. We help by ensuring that the format achieves the clients' personal and tax objectives.

We also collaborate with accountants and financial advisors to ensure a strategy is put in place that is optimal for you and that hopefully avoids family conflicts. When there are legal challenges we have the necessary experience to advocate for our clients through the difficult times.

We can assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our lawyers for more information or a confidential consultation.

Wills, Estates and Trusts Group

Andrew Brunton Bio vCard Email Andrew practices in the areas of business law, real estate law and wills and estates. Andrew received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University in 2002 and his Law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2005. He was called to the bar in Ontario in 2006 and then to the bar in British Columbia in 2008.  More   Bradley Cronquist Bio vCard Email Brad represents a wide variety of individuals and private companies as a real estate development, business law and estate planning lawyer. More   Curtis Darmohray Bio vCard Email People and planning are at the core of every transaction that Curtis Darmohray handles as a business, wills and estates, and real estate lawyer at Pushor Mitchell.   More   James Paterson Bio vCard Email James’ practice includes a wide range of business law matters, real estate law and estate planning. More   Joni Metherell Bio vCard Email Joni’s practice encompasses a range of civil litigation areas, including estate litigation, wills and labour and employment issues, and disputes related to real property. More   Matthew Kraemer Bio vCard Email Matt’s practice is focused on the area of tax law, and includes the areas of business law, tax litigation, trusts and estate planning.   More   Melodie Lind Bio vCard Email What ties together the areas of Melodie’s practice – tax, business, wills, estates and trusts law? A common goal: to provide highly effective, approachable, and accessible legal service to each of her clients, regardless of how complex or technical the issues might be. More   Ronald Solmer Bio vCard Email Ron’s practice areas are primarily business law, real estate law, estate planning and financial institution security. More   Susan Connaghan Bio vCard Email  Sue’s practice deals with all areas of business law, real estate law and estate planning. More   Theresa Arsenault, Q.C. Bio vCard Email One of the most experienced and highly respected lawyers in the Okanagan Valley, Theresa Arsenault, Q.C., specializes in estate planning and trusts, First Nations transactions and land development, and business and real estate law. She is frequently sought out as a speaker on all these topics and more. More   Thomas Fellhauer Bio vCard Email Tom’s practice includes a wide range of tax law matters including tax planning, company law, corporate reorganizations, trusts, estate planning and succession planning for family businesses for clients. He has considerable experience dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency and representing taxpayers in income tax and GST appeals. Tom also advises clients with charitable giving and has established a large number of non-profit societies, registered charities and private foundations. More   Vanessa DeDominicis Bio vCard Email Vanessa practices in the areas of business law, real estate and wills and estates. As a Registered Trade-mark agent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, her business law practice has a specific focus on intellectual property law, including filing Canadian and US trade-mark applications and advising clients on infringement issues. Her real estate practice is expanding to serve purchasers and vendors of freehold property and First Nations Land Developments. More