Executor Advisory
Guiding Edmonton’s Executors with Confidence, Clarity and Care
As Edmonton’s trusted estate lawyers, Forum Estates LLP combines deep provincial insight, technological efficiency, and compassionate counsel to guide executors every step of the way.
What Being an Executor Really Means
As executor, or “personal representative” under Alberta law, you’ll:
- Obtain the death certificate and locate the original will
- Apply for probate.
- File the deceased’s final T1 and post-mortem trust (T3) returns
- Notify creditors, discharge debts, and secure estate assets
- Oversee distributions and account for payments to beneficiaries
- Secure, catalogue, and value all assets (including digital, crypto, real estate, business interests)
What’s New in 2025 That
Matters to Executors
Trust Reporting and
Bare Trust Relief
For trusts with tax-year endings on or after December 31, 2023, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has implemented enhanced trust-reporting rules, which now generally require an annual T3 return and Schedule 15, declaring beneficial ownership, for most express trusts. Accurate assessment and documentation remain crucial to avoid penalties.
Surrogate Digital Service
Streamlines Probate
Since its launch in June 2022, Alberta’s Surrogate Digital Service (SDS) has revolutionized probate. As of mid-2025, powered by mandates for e-filings, most grant-of-probate applications are now completed in just 2–4 weeks, a major improvement over paper-based waits of several months. Our Edmonton-based team files daily using SDS, avoiding typical rejections and delays.
Updated Executor Compensation Guidelines
- Value of the estate
- Level of care and responsibility required
- Complexity and extent of the executor's work, time involved, problems encountered, and amount of revenue received and disbursements made
- Executor's skill, ability, and specialized knowledge
- 3–5 % on the first $250,000 of estate value
- 2–4 % on the next $250,000
- 0.5–3 % on remaining estate value
- Additional 4–6 % on estate income and 0.3–0.6 % for asset management.
Pitfalls Executors Commonly Face
| Risk | Impact | How Forum Estates Safeguards You |
|---|---|---|
| Missed tax deadlines | Penalties, interest, and personal liability | We handle T1/T3 with tax pros and obtain clearance certificates |
| Forgotten digital/crypto assets | Value loss or disputes | Asset review with forensic and tech tools |
| Early distributions | Exposure to unpaid debts/taxes | Structured release plans and legal advice |
| Poor recordkeeping | Beneficiary disputes or court removal | We supply audit-ready digital ledgers and receipts |
| Out-of-province executor issues | Bonds, residency tax risks | Local backup options; bond guidance; estate residency planning |
Our Six-Step Executor
Empowerment Framework
Initial Intake and Personal Mapping
We clarify your duties, timeline expectations, and stakeholder sensitivities; then, we provide a custom executor checklist, digital task tracker, and FAQ guide.
Probate and T3 Strategy
We prepare and file probate applications electronically; evaluate trust filing obligations; coordinate tax returns with advisors; and apply for clearance certificates.
Debt Settlement and Creditors Process
Property Distribution and Accounting
We manage distributions, obtain beneficiary releases, and compile a final account statement.
Completion and Closing Support
Why Edmonton Chooses Forum Estates LLP
Local Depth, National Standards
Familiar with Edmonton’s court systems, CRA patterns, and Alberta trust law; supported by national legal research.
Close Partnerships
We coordinate with accountants, financial advisors, real estate agents, and forensic experts to manage complexity.
Transparent, Flat-Fee Options
From simple to high-value estates, we propose fee ranges with no hidden costs, milestones clearly defined.
Word from a Client
I don’t know what I’d have done without them”
FAQS
1. Can an executor also be a beneficiary of the estate?
Yes. In fact, it is common for executors also to be beneficiaries. Many testators appoint trusted family members. The key is that the executor must act in the best interest of the entire estate, regardless of their own inheritance or personal interests.
2. What risks does an executor face if they make a mistake?
Executors can be held personally liable for financial losses, tax errors, or improper distributions. For example, distributing assets before paying taxes may result in out-of-pocket costs. Legal advice and careful record-keeping protect executors from unintended consequences.
3. What records should an executor keep during administration?
4. What would happen when an executor does not wish to do it?
Before applying to probate, an executor can renounce the office even before the grant by signing a deed of renunciation. If they have already initiated the process of administering the estate, they may require the court’s permission to resign. In this type of condition, an alternative executor or administrator appointed by the courts will come in.
5. Who is an executor and what does the executor do?
An executor is an individual specified in a will who is responsible for managing the deceased person’s property. They have the responsibility of identifying the will, probate application, settling the debts, paying taxes and allocating the assets to the beneficiaries. It is a trustee position which involves orderliness, hard work and fairness.
6. What if the executor lives outside Alberta?
7. How long does the executor have to administer the estate?
8. Do executors get paid for their work in Alberta?
Yes. Reasonable compensation is due to executors and can be fixed by will or by the Surrogate Rules in Alberta. In many cases, the rate of compensation would be between 3 and 5 per cent of the amount of the estate, as the degree of difficulty increases or time decreases.
9. Is it possible to have multiple executors?
Indeed. Several executors may perform jointly. Co-executors have to collaborate; they have to make decisions. Although this provides checks and balances, it may also be slow when there is a dispute. People should be selected on the basis of communication aspects.
10. Is an executor allowed to make decisions without conferring on beneficiaries?
Although there are actions that the executor does not require permission to undertake, they are required to maintain reasonable information for the beneficiaries. When there is transparency, there are no conflicts. Major decisions, including those concerning distributions, should be explained and reported in writing.
11. What should be the initial step of an executor when a person passes away?
The executor is expected to secure the property belonging to the deceased, locate the will, obtain the death certificate, and make funeral arrangements. Then, they will examine the contents of the estate, inform the involved persons and decide whether the probate is needed. Individuals should get professional advice early enough.
12. Should an executor engage the services of a lawyer or an accountant?
It is recommended that legal or financial assistance be sought when the estate is large, complex or if there is a dispute. Laywers help with probate, conflict and lawsuits. Accountants render the right tax returns. When professionals are hired, the executor is also safeguarded against any personal liability and the time-consuming settlement of the estate.
