Estate Planning Lawyer Vancouver & BC

Protect What
Matters Most
Your Family & Legacy

Thoughtful estate planning gives you peace of mind, protects your loved ones, and ensures your wishes are honoured — on your terms. Winright Law guides Vancouver families through every step.

BC-Licensed Lawyers
Plain-Language Guidance
Personalized Plans
Our Estate Planning Services
Wills Powers of Attorney Representation Agreements Family Trusts Alter Ego Trusts Henson Trusts Corporate Wills Testamentary Trusts
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Estate Planning Is One of the Most Important Things You Can Do for Your Family

Without a plan in place, BC law — not you — decides what happens to your assets, your health care, and your children's future. The right plan avoids that entirely.

Protect Your Assets

Ensure your property, savings, and business interests go to the right people — clearly, legally, and without unnecessary delay or taxes.

Care for Your Loved Ones

Appoint trusted guardians for minor children, protect beneficiaries with special needs, and provide for your spouse without court intervention.

Avoid Family Disputes

A well-drafted will and estate plan prevents costly, emotionally devastating estate litigation — and keeps your legacy intact for generations.

Plan for Incapacity

If you become unable to make decisions, your chosen representative — not a government official — steps in to manage your finances and health care.

Protect Your Business

Business owners need corporate wills and succession plans to ensure operations continue and partners aren't left in a difficult position.

Reduce Probate & Taxes

Strategic use of trusts and beneficiary designations can reduce BC probate fees and tax exposure — leaving more for the people you love.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services in Vancouver, BC

End-to-end estate planning for individuals, families, and business owners across British Columbia. Every plan is built around your unique situation.

01

Wills

Your will is the cornerstone of your estate plan. A properly drafted will ensures your assets are distributed the way you intend, names your executor, and appoints guardians for your children. Not all wills are the same — the right type depends on your family structure, assets, and goals.

Simple Will

Ideal for straightforward estates. Covers asset distribution, executor appointment, and guardian designation clearly and efficiently.

Thorough Will

For complex estates involving multiple properties, blended families, or business interests — with detailed provisions for every scenario.

Secret Trust

Allows a testator to communicate confidential wishes to a trustee without those terms appearing in the public record of the will.

Mutual Wills

Two individuals — typically spouses — agree not to change their wills without consent, providing binding reciprocal protection.

Multiple Wills

Separates assets that require probate from those that don't — a common strategy to reduce BC probate fees for business owners.

Corporate Will

Specifically addresses the succession of shares and business interests held by a corporation, separate from your personal will.

02

Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney authorizes a trusted person to manage your financial affairs if you're unable to do so. Choosing the right type — and understanding its limits — is critical to protecting your interests.

Enduring Power of Attorney

Remains valid even if you become mentally incapacitated — the most common and recommended form for long-term planning in BC.

Springing Power of Attorney

Takes effect only upon a triggering event such as incapacity, providing a safeguard against premature use of your authority.

Effective Upon Signing

Grants authority immediately upon execution — useful for specific transactions or when you'll be temporarily unavailable.

Key Considerations

Choosing your attorney carefully, understanding fiduciary duties, and knowing when to use a co-attorney structure for added protection.

03

Representation Agreements

A Representation Agreement is BC's mechanism for appointing someone to make personal care and health care decisions on your behalf — covering medical treatment, living arrangements, and personal decisions.

Section 7 Agreement

A simpler agreement for routine personal care decisions — can be made even if you have diminished capacity at the time of signing.

Section 9 Agreement

A more comprehensive agreement covering major health care decisions, including consent to or refusal of life-sustaining treatment.

04

Trusts

Trusts are powerful tools for protecting assets, managing tax obligations, and ensuring long-term care for beneficiaries. Winright Law helps you identify the right trust structure for your family's needs.

Alter Ego Trust

For individuals 65+, this trust allows you to transfer assets while retaining full control during your lifetime — and avoids probate on death.

Joint Partner / Spousal Trust

Allows spouses to transfer assets to a trust on a tax-deferred basis — protecting both partners and simplifying estate administration.

Family Trust

Holds assets for the benefit of family members, with flexibility to distribute income and capital across generations tax-efficiently.

Testamentary Trust

Created by your will and takes effect at death — ideal for staged distributions to young beneficiaries or managing ongoing support.

Spendthrift Trust

Protects a beneficiary who may be poor with money or at risk of creditors — the trustee controls distributions rather than the beneficiary.

Henson Trust

Designed for beneficiaries with disabilities — structured so trust assets don't disqualify them from provincial disability benefits.

Ready to Protect Your Family's Future?

A free initial assessment with Winright Law is the first step toward clarity, security, and peace of mind.

Recognized for Excellence in Vancouver Law

Winright Law and founder Winston Kam have been recognized by leading industry authorities for outstanding legal service and innovation.

4× Winner
Top Choice Real Estate Law Firm
Top Choice Awards — Vancouver
Recognition
Best Business Lawyers in Vancouver
Three Best Rated
Award
Canadian Excellence Award
Canadian Excellence
2023
Top Growing Companies
Globe & Mail
Nomination
Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers
Canadian Lawyer Magazine
Accredited
BBB A+ Accreditation
Better Business Bureau
Recognition
4 Best Real Estate Lawyers Vancouver
The Best Vancouver
Feature
Featured — Made in Canada
Made in CA Platform
Top Choice Awards
Three Best Rated
Globe & Mail
Canadian Lawyer
BBB Accredited

Trusted by Vancouver Families

Our clients' peace of mind is our measure of success. Here's what Vancouver families say about working with Winright Law.

"Winright Law made what felt like an overwhelming process completely manageable. They explained everything in plain language and we left feeling confident our family is protected. Highly recommend to anyone needing estate planning in Vancouver."

SM
Sarah M.
G Google Review

"Professional, thorough, and incredibly responsive. We had a complex situation involving a family trust and corporate will — they handled it all expertly. I felt completely supported from first call to final signing."

DL
David L.
G Google Review

"After my father passed without a will, our family went through a very difficult time. Winright Law helped us navigate the estate and I vowed to get my own plan in order. They were compassionate, efficient, and thorough."

RC
Rachel C.
G Google Review

"As a business owner, I needed more than a basic will. Winright Law set up a proper corporate will and family trust structure. They were knowledgeable, practical, and helped me understand exactly what I was signing."

JT
James T.
G Google Review

"We set up a Henson Trust for our daughter through Winright Law and the care and attention they brought to this sensitive matter was exceptional. They truly understood what was at stake for our family's future."

KW
Karen & Paul W.
G Google Review

"Quick to respond, easy to work with, and very reasonably priced for the quality of service. My representation agreement and powers of attorney were done professionally and explained thoroughly. Will be back for future needs."

MN
Michael N.
G Google Review

Estate Planning You Can Trust, Advice You Can Understand

We work with business owners, families, and individuals across Vancouver and BC to build estate plans that actually work.

Boutique BC Law Firm

Focused exclusively on serving BC clients — we know local law, local courts, and local needs inside out.

Plain-Language Guidance

No legal jargon. We explain your options clearly so you can make confident decisions for yourself and your family.

Personalized to Your Situation

No cookie-cutter plans. Every engagement starts with listening — your goals, your family, your concerns.

Efficient & Responsive Process

We respect your time. Most estate plans are completed efficiently with minimal back-and-forth.

Estate Planning Matters More Than You Think

  • ~56% of Canadians do not have a current, valid will
  • WESA BC's Wills, Estates and Succession Act governs what happens without a valid will
  • 1.4% BC probate fee on estates over $50,000 — trusts can reduce or eliminate this
  • $0 cost to your family of a well-structured estate plan vs. years of litigation

Estate Planning FAQs

Answers to the questions we hear most from Vancouver and BC clients.

How much does estate planning cost in BC? +
Costs vary based on complexity. A straightforward will and POA may start from a few hundred dollars, while a comprehensive plan with trusts and corporate documents will be higher. Winright Law provides transparent fee information before you engage — no surprises.
What is the difference between a will and a trust? +
A will takes effect upon death and typically passes through probate (a public court process). A trust can be set up during your lifetime or upon death, and can help avoid probate, maintain privacy, protect assets from creditors, and manage long-term distributions.
Do I need a Power of Attorney if I already have a will? +
Yes. A will only takes effect after death. A Power of Attorney is essential while you're alive — it authorizes someone you trust to manage your finances if you're incapacitated. Without one, your family may need to apply to the BC courts for a Committee.
What is a Representation Agreement in BC? +
A Representation Agreement is BC's version of a personal care and health care directive. It appoints a representative to make decisions about your medical treatment and personal care if you're unable to do so — separate from a Power of Attorney, which covers financial matters only.
What happens if I die without a will in BC? +
You are said to die "intestate." BC's Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA) determines how your estate is distributed — which may not reflect your wishes. Unmarried partners or stepchildren may receive nothing, and the court appoints an administrator, not someone you chose.
Can I reduce BC probate fees with a trust? +
Yes. Assets held in certain trusts (like an Alter Ego or Joint Partner Trust) do not form part of your estate for probate purposes, significantly reducing BC probate fees — currently 1.4% on the value of your estate above $50,000. Multiple wills are another strategy for business owners.
When should I update my estate plan? +
Review your estate plan after any major life event — marriage, separation, the birth of a child, acquiring property, or starting a business. We generally recommend a review every 3–5 years even without major changes, as laws and tax rules evolve.
What is a Henson Trust and who needs one? +
A Henson Trust is a discretionary trust for beneficiaries with disabilities. By giving the trustee full discretion over distributions, trust assets don't count as the beneficiary's property — meaning they remain eligible for BC disability benefits while still benefiting from inherited wealth.

Visit Us in Vancouver

Our team is based in Vancouver and serves clients across British Columbia. We welcome in-person consultations at our Broadway office.

  • Address Suite 621 — 550 W Broadway
    Vancouver, BC  V5Z 0E9
  • Phone 604 559 2529
  • Office Hours Monday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Your Family Deserves a
Plan That Works

Don't leave your most important decisions to chance — or to the courts. Book a free initial assessment with Winright Law and leave with a clear path forward.

604 559 2529  ·  [email protected]  ·  Suite 621 – 550 W Broadway, Vancouver BC
Book a Free Initial Assessment