How much are probate fees in British Columbia?

Nothing on the first $25,000; $6 per $1,000 from $25,000 to $50,000; and $14 per $1,000 (1.4%) above $50,000. A $500,000 estate pays about $6,450, with no upper cap.

How long does BC probate take?

A grant is usually issued within several weeks to a few months after the 21-day notice period and a complete application. Full administration commonly takes a year or more.

Are electronic wills legal in BC?

Yes. WESA permits electronic wills signed and witnessed remotely by video and stored digitally, alongside traditional printed wills.

Probate in British Columbia: Fees, Timelines, and Process

Probate in British Columbia is governed by the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA) and handled by the Supreme Court. BC charges probate fees based on the value of the estate, with the first $25,000 exempt. This is general information, not legal advice — consult a lawyer in your province.

How does probate work in British Columbia?

In BC the executor applies to the Supreme Court for a grant of probate, which confirms the will is valid and that the executor has authority to administer the estate. Where there is no will, the court grants letters of administration instead.

Before applying, the executor must give notice to beneficiaries and intestate heirs and wait at least 21 days. BC also maintains a Wills Registry through Vital Statistics, and a wills search is required as part of the application.

How much are BC probate fees?

BC charges no fee on the first $25,000 of an estate. From $25,000 to $50,000 the rate is $6 per $1,000, and above $50,000 it is $14 per $1,000 (1.4%). A small administration fee also applies to larger estates.

So a $500,000 estate pays roughly $6,450 in probate fees. There is no upper cap, which is why reducing the probated value can matter for larger estates.

How long does probate take in British Columbia?

After the mandatory 21-day notice period, the court typically issues a grant within several weeks to a few months, depending on the registry's workload and whether the application is complete.

Administering the whole estate usually takes a year or more, particularly when the executor waits for the CRA clearance certificate and the statutory period for wills-variation claims to pass.

What is a wills-variation claim in BC?

BC is distinctive: under WESA a spouse or child can ask the court to vary a will if it does not make adequate provision for them, even if the will is otherwise valid. The claim must generally be filed within 180 days of the grant of probate.

This gives BC courts broad power to rewrite a will's distribution for fairness, so leaving a spouse or child out of a BC will should be done carefully and with legal advice.

Can BC wills be electronic?

Yes. BC was an early adopter of electronic wills under WESA, allowing wills to be signed and witnessed remotely by video and stored in electronic form, in addition to traditional printed and witnessed wills.

iFinallyWill produces BC-specific wills and powers of attorney with the correct signing instructions for the province, plus lifetime updates and a money-back guarantee. For wills-variation risk or complex estates, also consult a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

How much are probate fees in British Columbia?: Nothing on the first $25,000; $6 per $1,000 from $25,000 to $50,000; and $14 per $1,000 (1.4%) above $50,000. A $500,000 estate pays about $6,450, with no upper cap.
How long does BC probate take?: A grant is usually issued within several weeks to a few months after the 21-day notice period and a complete application. Full administration commonly takes a year or more.
What is a wills-variation claim?: Under WESA a spouse or child can ask a BC court to vary a will that does not adequately provide for them, generally within 180 days of the grant of probate. It is unique to British Columbia.
Are electronic wills legal in BC?: Yes. WESA permits electronic wills signed and witnessed remotely by video and stored digitally, alongside traditional printed wills.