Estate Planning & Estate Administration Lawyers in Lethbridge


Helping you plan for the future and settle estates with clarity, confidence, and care.

Estate planning and administration are more than legal tasks. They help protect your family, your wishes, and your legacy. At LETOURNEAU LLP, we help people in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta get ready for the future with solid estate plans and guide them through the legal steps after a loss.

Planning ahead gives you control and peace of mind. You do not have to wait until you are older or feel completely ready. Life is unpredictable, so having your legal affairs in order now helps you and your loved ones in the future.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of making decisions about what will happen to your property, personal belongings, and care if you become unable to make decisions or after you die.

Good estate planning usually includes:
  • A Will
  • An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA)
  • A Personal Directive
These documents work together to make sure your wishes are known and followed.

Why You Should Plan Now

Many people put off estate planning because they think:
  • “I’m too young.”
  • “I won’t die for years.”
  • “I don’t have enough assets yet.”
But delays can create real problems for your family, including:
  • Confusion about your wishes
  • Disagreements among family members
  • Extra legal costs
  • Court involvement that could have been avoided
Estate planning is for everyone, not just for the wealthy or elderly. It protects your rights and gives your loved ones clear direction when they need it most.

Key Estate Planning Documents

Wills

A will is a legal document that explains:
  • How your property and assets should be distributed after you die
  • Who you want to handle your estate (executor)
  • How you want personal items distributed
  • Who should care for your minor children, if applicable
If you do not have a will, Alberta law decides how your property is divided, which may not match what you want.

Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA)

An enduring power of attorney lets you choose a trusted person to make financial and legal decisions for you if you are unable to do so.

If you do not have an EPOA, your family might need to go to court to have someone appointed for you. This process can be expensive, take a lot of time, and cause stress.

An EPOA is important because incapacity (due to injury or illness) can happen at any age.

Personal Directives

A personal directive lets you choose someone to make health care and personal care decisions if you can’t speak for yourself.

This can cover:
  • Medical treatment preferences
  • Long-term care choices
  • Daily care and living arrangements
If you do not have a personal directive, your family may find it hard to make decisions when times are stressful.

Estate Administration and Probate in Alberta

When someone dies, there are legal steps that must be followed to deal with their estate. This process is called estate administration, and in some cases it includes applying for probate.

Probate is a court process that confirms the validity of a will and gives the executor legal authority to act. Not every estate requires probate, but many do — especially when there is real estate, financial accounts, or significant assets.
  • Estate administration can involve:
  • Identifying and securing estate assets
  • Paying debts and taxes
  • Applying for probate, if required
  • Communicating with beneficiaries
  • Distributing property according to the will or Alberta law
Executors are often surprised by how much responsibility the role involves. We help executors and families understand their duties, meet legal requirements, and avoid mistakes that can delay the estate or create personal liability.

If you are an executor:
You do not have to handle estate administration on your own. Executors can be personally responsible for mistakes. Getting legal guidance early can help protect you and keep the process on track.

How We Help You Plan and Administer an Estate

Estate Planning Services

We work with you to:
  • Identify your goals and concerns
  • Create a will that reflects your wishes
  • Set up an enduring power of attorney
  • Prepare a personal directive
  • Update your plan when things change (marriage, children, assets, etc.)
We take a practical approach and adjust our advice to fit your needs. We explain your options in clear, simple language.

Estate Administration Services

We assist executors and families with:
We help ease your burden during a hard time and guide you through each step of the process.

Common Questions People Ask

Do I really need a will?
Yes. A will is the foundation of a good estate plan. If you do not have one, provincial laws decide how your assets are shared, which may not match what you want.

Can I change my estate plan later?
Yes. Your will, EPOA, and personal directive can be updated if your life changes (marriage, divorce, children, new assets, etc.).

What happens if someone dies without a will?
Alberta’s laws of intestacy will apply. These rules decide who receives your assets, which may not match your wishes. It can also slow down the estate process and increase costs.

Why Estate Planning Is Not Just for “Old” People

Planning ahead is a responsible choice. Anyone over 18 can benefit from having:
  • A clearly written will
  • Someone chosen to handle finances if they cannot act
  • Someone trusted to make personal care decisions
Many problems families face after a death are due to a lack of planning, not a lack of love.

How to Get Started

The estate planning process usually includes:
  1. 1. Initial Meeting: We talk about your goals and life situation.
  2. 2. Drafting Documents: We prepare wills, EPOAs, and personal directives.
  3. 3. Review: We go over everything with you so you fully understand it.
  4. 4. Signing and Storing: We help you sign and safely store your documents.
Planning your estate now gives you peace of mind and helps your family avoid confusion in the future.

Speak With a Lethbridge Estate Planning & Administration Lawyer

If you want to protect your wishes and help your loved ones, contact LETOURNEAU LLP. Better yet, complete our online Estate Planning Intake Form, or our online Estate Administration Intake Form.  We can help you:
  • Prepare or update your will
  • Set up an enduring power of attorney
  • Create a personal directive
  • Navigate estate administration after a loved one’s death
Planning well today can help prevent confusion and conflict in the future.