Estate planning & probate lawyers in Nova Scotia
Plan with confidence. Protect your life and legacy.
Everyone deserves an estate plan that brings clarity for today and peace of mind for tomorrow. Whether you are preparing a Will, planning your estate, or navigating an estate after the loss of a loved one, we provide thoughtful legal advice tailored to your unique circumstances.
Anne McFarlane, founder of Life & Legacy Law
Helping you navigate life's important decisions
Planning for the future or managing the affairs of a loved one can feel emotional, unfamiliar, and overwhelming. We provide practical, personalized legal advice in all areas of estate law, including estate planning, probate, and estate administration.
Whether you are creating your first Will, updating an existing plan, administering an estate, or looking for clarity around family and asset planning, we are here to help you move forward with confidence, care, and clarity.
Supporting you through every stage of life
Plan For Your Future
Create an individualized estate plan that meets your unique needs and protects you throughout life’s journey.
Protect Your Loved Ones
Ensure the folks who matter most are provided for with properly-prepared estate documents.
Navigate Loss
Receive compassionate guidance and care through probate and estate administration after the loss of a loved one.
Move Forward with Confidence
When you work with us, you can expect to receive clear advice, practical solutions, and genuine support, every step of the way.
Estate Planning
A well-prepared estate plan provides clarity, protection, and peace of mind for you and the people who matter most. We work with clients at all stages of life to create estate plans tailored to their unique needs.
Whether you are starting a family, purchasing property, entering a new relationship, planning for retirement, caring for aging parents, or simply want to ensure your wishes are properly documented, we can help you put the best arrangements in place.
We offer competitive flat-rate pricing for simple estate planning documents, including Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Personal Directives. Packaged pricing is also available for clients preparing multiple documents, as well as for spouses or partners creating mirrored documents.
Some estate planning matters may require more detailed advice, including:
blended family planning;
cottage or vacation property planning;
succession planning for business assets;
planning for loved ones with special needs; and
detailed trust planning.
Probate & Estate Administration
We understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one; we are here to lighten the load with clear legal guidance and support.
We assist executors, administrators, trustees, and surviving loved ones throughout the estate administration process. Our goal is to make the process clear and minimize our clients’ stress from the first step to the final distribution.
Our services include:
probate applications for estates with or without a Will;
guidance for executors and administrators;
planning for the distribution of estates; and
assistance with resolving estate-related disputes.
Two locations to better serve you
Halifax Office
397 Bedford Highway, Suite 311
Halifax, NS B3M 2L3
(902) 399-5040
Elmsdale Office
139 Park Road, Unit 1F
Elmsdale, NS B2S 2L3
(902) 399-5040
Frequently Asked Questions
Estate Planning & Probate in Nova Scotia
Planning for the future often comes with questions; that’s to be expected. Whether you are preparing your first Will, updating your estate plan, or administering the estate of a loved one, we have answered some of the most common questions we hear from clients. If you don't see your question here, we would be happy to schedule a meeting to discuss your situation more thoroughly.
Estate Planning
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Estate planning is a personalized process where we will discuss and plan for who and what is most important to you. This includes a review of your property and financial holdings, as well as your plans for how best to manage them, both for yourself and for your future. We may also discuss succession planning for your business, how to share the family cottage, or how to care for a loved one with special needs.
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Yes; you absolutely should have a Will. Your Will should clearly state who will carry out your wishes, how you want your assets distributed, and how to provide for your loved ones in the way only you know is best.
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You should review your Will and other estate documents regularly to ensure they meet your current needs and wishes. You should consider updating your Will if any of the following life changes take place:
Marriage;
Divorce;
Birth of a child;
Relocation outside the province or country;
Significant change in your financial situation;
Death of your named executor or beneficiaries; or
Your wishes change.
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A Will is a document that states how your property, money, and other assets are distributed after your death. It should also appoint someone to manage your estate (your “executor”) and may include details regarding your funeral wishes, arrangements for your minor children, and even provisions for your pets.
If you get sick, are away for a prolonged period, or if you lose capacity, you may need someone to assist with your decision-making. To protect you during these times, everyone should have documents in place that delegate decision-making for both your personal and financial affairs.
A Power of Attorney is a document that delegates decision-making about your financial and property to someone else. This is a powerful document, as it gives authority over everything you have worked so hard to save.
A Personal Directive delegates decision-making regarding your health and personal care decisions. This document may also specify specific wishes about your care, such as how a chronic illness is managed or how your end-of-life care is treated.
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There is no wrong time to reach out, and we would love to meet with you when you feel ready. We know the process can feel overwhelming, and we really are here to help. Common times our clients contact us include:
When they need help refining their wishes;
When they feel “stuck” and need help organizing their thoughts;
When they are completing financial planning;
When they are planning for retirement.
When they acquire new assets;
When they receive a significant inheritance; or
After their own first-hand experience with an estate administration.
Probate & Estate Administration
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In Nova Scotia, our legislation decides who will receive your assets and who has the best standing to administer your estate if someone dies without a Will. This means you lose control over how your loved ones are cared for once you are no longer here.
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No; not all estates require probate. If probate is required depends on the types of assets in the estate and their value. It will also depend on the individual policies of the institutions that hold financial assets of the estate. If probate is required, we would be happy to assist you with navigating the process.
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How long an estate administration (including probate) will take depends on a number of factors. A typical estate administration is at least 12-18 months, but many estate administrations are ongoing for a number of years. Estates with more diverse assets, higher numbers of beneficiaries, or more complex distributions tend to take longer than more simpler estates. If someone makes a claim against an estate (or sues the estate), it will generally take much longer to complete the administration. We work with executors or administrators to make the estate administration as straightforward as possible.
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The role of an estate lawyer can be quite varied. How much a lawyer will do depends on how much assistance an executor feels they need; this is a completely personal choice. At minimum, a lawyer will assist with the following:
Drafting required court forms;
Communication with the Probate Court;
Advising beneficiaries or heirs of their entitlement under the estate;
Posting the required notice to creditors;
Preparing the estate inventory;
Preparing the final accounting;
Referring to other trusted professionals (accountants, appraisers, financial advisors, etc.); and
The closing of the estate.
Getting Started
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The cost of estate planning depends on your individual circumstances and the documents you require. Every family is unique, and your legal needs may differ from someone else's. During an initial consultation, we take the time to understand your goals, explain your options, and provide clear information about the services that are appropriate for your situation. Our focus is on providing practical, personalized advice that gives you confidence moving forward.
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When your family is grieving, the last thing they need is a difficult estate administration. The very best gift you can give your family is the gift of a detailed estate plan. This will ensure your wishes are met, but will also provide clarity and peace of mind for your loved ones.
Still have questions?
We are here to help.
Everyone’s personal situation is unique; estate planning is not one-size-fits-all. Whether you are creating your first Will, updating an existing estate plan, or administering an estate, we are here to provide clear guidance and personalized legal advice. Every step of the way.
Book a consultation today and take the first step toward protecting what matters most.