We understand how hard it is to probate an intestate estate in Alberta, to serve you better - we've created a table to help provide an overview of all the steps and estimated timeline involved with obtaining a grant of administration.
After the table, we dive deeper into each step - providing an in-depth guide with deeper insights into the forms to be filled, and best practices we've learned over the decades from administering estates in Alberta.
Step No. |
Action |
Form (if applicable) |
Description |
Estimated Time |
1 |
Acquire the Necessary Application Documents |
Form GA1, GA2, GA3, GA5, GA7, GA16 |
Visit the Alberta Courts website to download necessary forms. |
1-2 days |
2 |
Assemble the Relevant Data |
N/A |
Compile details about the deceased, the beneficiaries, and the estate. |
2-4 weeks |
3 |
Fill Out the Application for Grant Form |
Form GA1 |
Complete form GA1 with details regarding the deceased, the applicant, the beneficiaries, and the estate. |
1-3 hours |
4 |
Complete the Estate Inventory Form |
Form GA2 |
Enumerate the estate’s assets and debts. Include comprehensive information on assets and liabilities. |
3-6 hours |
5 |
Announce Notice to Debtors and Claimants |
Form GA15 and GA16 |
Publish a notice in a newspaper to inform potential creditors of the passing and allow them to file claims. |
2-3 weeks |
6 |
Submit the Application |
N/A |
Lodge the application with the Surrogate Court. A filing fee will be applicable. |
1 day |
7 |
Deliver Legally Mandated Notices |
Form GA3 and GA4 |
Send notifications to beneficiaries and certain other parties. |
2-3 days |
8 |
Await the Court’s Response |
N/A |
Wait for the court’s evaluation. The court might request additional documents. |
6 weeks - few months |
9 |
Distribute Notices Regarding Court’s Grant Approval |
Form GA7 |
Communicate the grant approval to all relevant parties. |
1-3 days |
10 |
Execute Your Responsibilities |
N/A |
Administer the estate by settling debts, allocating assets, and finalizing the estate. |
Varies |
Diving Deeper into Each Step
Now that you’ve had a glimpse of the steps involved in obtaining a Grant of Administration in Alberta through the table, let’s delve into the particulars of each step.
This section aims to furnish you with a comprehensive understanding and practical guidance to successfully navigate through the process.
From gathering the essential documents to executing your responsibilities as an administrator, we’ll walk you through what’s involved, share helpful tips, and point out potential pitfalls to avoid. Whether you're unfamiliar with legal terminologies or uncertain about the specific requirements, this in-depth guide is designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed in managing the estate of a loved one.
Acquire the Necessary Application Documents: Navigate to the Alberta Courts website for the essential documents you'll need to download. These are:
- Form GA1: Application for Grant
- Form GA2: Estate Inventory
- Form GA3: Notification for Beneficiaries and Additional Involved Parties
- Form GA5: Sworn Affidavit of Notification
- Form GA7: Notice of Grant Release
- Form GA16: Official Declaration of Notice Publication (if you opt to release a notice to claimants)
- Assemble the Relevant Data: It's essential to compile details about the departed individual, the beneficiaries, and the estate. This encompasses the deceased’s date and location of birth and passing, a death certificate, an exhaustive inventory of their assets and liabilities along with their valuations, and the full names, dates of birth, and addresses of all beneficiaries.
Fill Out the Application for Grant Form (GA1): Utilize this form to submit your application for the grant. It requests data regarding the deceased, the person applying, the beneficiaries, and the estate.
Complete the Estate Inventory Form (GA2): Use this document to enumerate the estate’s assets and debts. It is necessary to include comprehensive information on the deceased’s assets and liabilities, which includes legal descriptions of land, bank account details, financial institutions involved, pertinent interest rates, and accumulated interest since the time of death for bank accounts, investments, credit cards, loans, and so on.
Announce a Notice to Debtors and Claimants in a Newspaper (Form GA15 and GA16): This procedure serves to ensure that any prospective creditors are informed of the passing and are given the opportunity to file their claims.