403-283-8018
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1109 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary, AB T2E 3K3
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348 14 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Z7
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[email protected]
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Mon–Fri: 8:30AM – 5:00PM
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Osuji & Smith Lawyers
ESTABLISHED EXCELLENCE

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Wills & Estate Planning Hero | Osuji & Smith Lawyers
Wills & Estate Planning Calgary — Osuji & Smith
Calgary's Estate Planning Lawyers

Wills, Estates & Succession Planning

Helping individuals, families, and business owners across Alberta plan with clarity and purpose — before the moment arrives when a plan becomes urgent.

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Multi-OfficeCalgary · Toronto · Vancouver · Dubai
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45+Years of Service
200+ Combined Experience
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Wills & Estate Planning Main | Osuji & Smith Lawyers

Who We Help

We act for individuals, couples, business owners, and families at every stage of life across Alberta. Estate planning is not only for the wealthy or the elderly. If you own anything, care for anyone, or have views about what should happen to either, a plan is worth having.

Most people put off estate planning because it requires thinking about things that are uncomfortable to think about. The families who come to us having already lost someone without a plan in place understand the cost of that delay better than anyone. We would rather help you before that moment arrives.

9+ Consecutive Years Independently Recognised
Our Approach

Planning With Clarity and Purpose

Estate planning is more than a set of documents. It is the answer to the questions your family should not have to answer without you — what happens to your assets, who makes decisions when you cannot, and how the people you care about navigate a transition that will already be difficult.

At Osuji & Smith, we have been serving the residents of Calgary, Airdrie and Red Deer in Alberta for over 45 years. Our friendly staff is committed to providing personalized estate planning and estate administration services. Our expertise in estate planning can help you not only save on taxes, but also safeguard your wealth for your beneficiaries.

Hiring an estate planning lawyer at Osuji & Smith means drawing on a full team. We collaborate internally to ensure your estate plan is integrated with your business, family, and legal circumstances — leaving nothing unaddressed.

Our Services

Estate Planning Services We Provide

Wills

A will is the document that gives your wishes legal force after you are gone. Without one, Alberta's intestacy rules determine what happens to your estate — and those rules may not reflect what you would have chosen. We draft wills that are clear, legally sound, and built around your specific circumstances.

Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney authorises someone you trust to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself. Choosing the right person and drafting the document correctly matters as much as having one at all. We ensure the authority granted reflects exactly what you intend.

Personal Directives

A personal directive covers healthcare and personal decisions in circumstances where you cannot communicate your wishes yourself. It gives the people responsible for your care a clear, legally recognised set of instructions — and removes the burden of guessing from the people who care about you most.

Estate Administration & Probate

When someone passes away, the process of administering their estate involves the court, financial institutions, and beneficiaries — often while family members are grieving and under pressure. We guide executors through every stage of the probate process so the people closest to the situation can focus on what matters most.

Trust Arrangements

For clients with more complex estate planning needs, trust arrangements can provide greater control over how and when assets are distributed. We advise on the structures available under Alberta law and draft trust documents that reflect your intentions precisely.

Estate Disputes

When an estate is contested — over the validity of a will, the conduct of an executor, or the rights of a beneficiary — the legal process can strain family relationships already under pressure. We represent clients in estate disputes with the care these situations require, pursuing resolution efficiently and without unnecessary escalation where possible.

Business Succession Planning

For business owners, estate planning and succession planning are the same conversation. Who takes over the business, how ownership transfers, and what happens to the value you have built requires both legal precision and commercial understanding. We structure transitions that protect the business and the people depending on it.

The Importance of Wills

Do You Have a Will in Place?

If not, you are not alone. Reports say that 50% of Canadians don't have one. Although this statistic seems very high, it's not surprising. In this country, the average age is 40, so the effort of preparing a will when young and healthy can feel like an unnecessary task. Plus, thinking about your own mortality and picturing your loved ones in a world without you is not exactly an uplifting experience.

We get it.

But we cannot stress this enough; doing your due diligence and preparing your will should be a top priority. When families are left to deal with the aftermath of an unplanned estate, there can be various obstacles along the way.

We have been helping hard-working Calgarians with wills and estate matters for over forty years. Our friendly and experienced team are here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of establishing a will.

At Osuji & Smith, we tailor our estate planning and estate administration to our clients' unique circumstances, goals, and plans.

What Happens If I Don't Have a Will?

Although we don't want to scare you, it is crucial to understand that the following scenarios are not uncommon when an individual passes away without a will or planned estate:

  • Death freezes your assets
  • Your spouse and children may have to move out of the family home
  • Your partner may get nothing
  • The government becomes involved in your children's personal and financial lives
  • Your death may spark a family feud
  • All your possessions may go to someone you barely know

Protect Your Future With an Estate Lawyer in Your Corner

Planning your estate and organizing your affairs is one of the best ways to take care of your family and your assets. Osuji & Smith estate lawyers are here to help you plan ahead. Do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding your estate planning, or if you would like to schedule a consultation.

Estate Planning Services

Calgary Lawyers Planning Your Estate

At Osuji & Smith, we have been serving the residents of Calgary, Airdrie and Red Deer in Alberta for over 45 years. Our friendly staff is committed to providing personalized estate planning and estate administration services. Our expertise in estate planning can help you not only save on taxes, but also safeguard your wealth for your beneficiaries.

We take the time and effort required in drafting a will that sets out your objectives free from misinterpretation and possible invalidations. We can also review your existing will and recommend changes to suit your current situation.

Our estate planning services include:

  • Drafting wills free from misinterpretation and possible invalidations
  • Reviewing your existing will and recommending changes
  • Validating a holographic (handwritten) will, according to your wishes
  • Creating an estate trust (testamentary trust)
  • Creating trusts for minor beneficiaries
  • Drafting appointments of trustees and guardians
  • Business succession — transfer of your corporate assets and shares

Enduring Power of Attorney

Our lawyers advise proactively on enduring powers of attorney (EPA), which designates a person to make necessary financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated due to illness or disability. We believe in planning ahead by asking questions and ensuring that your wishes are clearly outlined.

Personal Directive

A personal directive designates a person chosen by you to act as your agent if you are incapacitated, to make medical and personal care decisions on your behalf. These legal documents are drafted after a detailed discussion with you. Our service is client-focused and friendly, as matters of advanced care planning and medical directives require a kind approach.

Personal Directives & Enduring Power of Attorney

Choosing Someone to Make Decisions on Your Behalf

What would happen if you were to fall ill and unable to make decisions on your behalf? Who would step in to make choices surrounding your health and your estate?

Life can change at any moment.

By asking yourself difficult questions about your future, you are protecting your family from heartbreak and stress if you unexpectedly fall ill or become injured. Our services are client-focused. We take a kind approach in planning and preparing matters such as personal directives and enduring power of attorney because we understand how overwhelming this process can feel.

What Is an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)?

Enduring power of attorney (EPA) is an agreement between you and someone you trust that would allow them to make critical financial decisions on your behalf if you were no longer able to do so. Our lawyers advise clients to be proactive in designating this vital role, as planning ahead can save a significant amount of stress and emotional turmoil.

If you do not have an agreement in place, a friend or family member would have to go to court to become your trustee. This can be a very costly and time-consuming process, and the responsibility may be taken up by someone you may not want in the role.

At the end of the day, an EPA is an integral part of estate planning. It is essential to give a great deal of thought and consideration in establishing this critical document's details. Our team of trusted Calgary estate lawyers are here to help.

What About Personal Directives?

We often hear questions regarding the differences between a personal directive and an enduring power of attorney. Here in Alberta, we do not have a living will — we have personal directives. These important legal documents will outline your wishes if you ever suffer from a severe injury or illness.

This sounds very similar to an EPA, but with a personal directive, the individual you appoint could make decisions regarding:

  • Medical treatments
  • Where and who you would want to live with
  • Choices regarding your recreation, employment, and education

In short, all decisions regarding matters that are not financial would be outlined in a personal directive.

Although Personal Directives and EPA Seem Similar

Individually, they both play an essential and unique role in estate planning. If you are ready to begin making arrangements for your EPA and personal directives, your dedicated estate lawyers are here to guide you through the process.

Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding personal directives & enduring power of attorney. Call us at 403-283-8018 or fill out the online contact form for more details.

Estate Administration & Probate

Probate Lawyers Calgary

When someone passes away, a probate lawyer (also known as an estate lawyer or estate attorney) plays a vital role in settling the departed person's final affairs. From offering legal advice to communicating with beneficiaries, probate lawyers will ensure the estate is divided and appropriately distributed.

Osuji & Smith's probate services are made specifically for the residents of Calgary and the surrounding communities. Our probate lawyers understand that the responsibility of administering an estate after losing a loved one can be extremely stressful and emotional. We will ensure you and your family are well taken care of during this delicate time.

Our legal team's friendly and results-driven approach has already helped many clients discharge their legal obligations efficiently and smoothly. Our experienced team offers you support and guidance to organize, identify possible problems, and execute your loved one's estate as smoothly as possible.

Legal counsel is essential to the probating process. This court-supervised process involves all the steps of settling the deceased estate. Even if an estate is prepared with care and organization, it can still become complicated for the family members involved. From family tensions to outstanding debts, there can be many factors that prevent this process from happening with ease.

Fortunately, probate lawyers have education and experience to deal with the probating process's various steps, including:

  • Estate planning
  • Estate administration
  • Letters of administration
  • Representing beneficiaries, executors and administrators
  • Protecting the above parties from lawsuit claims
  • Dealing with decedent's debts

Addressing Issues of Estate Litigation

Our estate lawyers are competent and experienced in handling estate litigation cases. Our service is focused on finding cost-effective solutions for you. If you think that a will has not been drafted correctly or has inconsistencies, our lawyers can advise you about the next steps regarding a contested will. We also closely assess disputes arising out of disinheritance. We represent beneficiaries, executors and administrators, depending upon the facts of the case.

Letters of Administration

When someone dies intestate, meaning without a will, the court grants an individual the power to administer the estate, called a Letter of Administration. If you know someone who has died without a will, we can help obtain the Letter of Administration and identify who can apply for this letter.

Searching for a Probate Lawyer?

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is a painful and stressful experience. By seeking the help of an experienced Calgary probate lawyer, your family will have the support and knowledge to handle estate matters efficiently. Our team of experienced professionals are here to answer any of your estate-related questions and will provide the best level of care in settling your loved one's estate.

When to Start

The Right Time Is Before You Need It

The right time to do your estate planning is before you need it. We have seen clients forced to take action because a health event forces the conversation, a business transition changes what their plan needs to account for, or a family circumstance shifts who should be named in their documents.

We also review and update existing plans when life changes — through marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the acquisition of significant assets, or the death of someone named in your current documents. An estate plan that reflected your life five years ago may not reflect it today.

Starting This Conversation Costs Nothing But Time

If you have been putting off estate planning, or if your existing plan has not been reviewed in several years, speak with us. We will give you a clear picture of what you have, what you are missing, and what putting a proper plan in place actually involves.

The Advantage

The Collective Intelligence Advantage

Estate planning intersects with more areas of law than most clients expect. A business owner's estate plan requires corporate law input. A blended family's plan may require family law considerations. An estate with international assets requires immigration and cross-border legal awareness.

At Osuji & Smith, your estate planning lawyer works within a firm covering business and corporate law, family law, real estate, civil litigation, and immigration. When your plan requires that wider view, the expertise is already here.

Starting This Conversation Costs Nothing But Time

Talk to Us First

If you have been putting off estate planning, or if your existing plan has not been reviewed in several years, speak with us. We will give you a clear picture of what you have, what you are missing, and what putting a proper plan in place actually involves.

Request an Estate Planning Consultation

Or call us directly 403.283.8018

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