A Grant of Administration is a document issued by the surrogate court, that empowers a person, referred to as the administrator or personal representative, to oversee and allocate the estate of a deceased individual who passed away without a legally recognized will (intestate).

Generally, the administrator is either the closest living relative or someone the court selects. The Grant of Administration bestows upon the administrator the legal capacity to accumulate the deceased's assets, settle any outstanding liabilities, and allocate the remaining assets in accordance with the intestacy laws.

A Grant of Administration Is Required Under the Following Circumstances:

• The deceased passed away without having a will (intestate).
• The will is not recognized as legitimate, and there lacks a judicial decree that validates the authenticity of the will.
• The will does not name a Personal Representative, or the assigned Personal Representative is either incapable or disinclined to take up the role, and no alternate Personal Representative is outlined or accessible to serve.
• The will fails to address the entirety of the deceased’s estate. (In such a situation, the court issues a Grant of Probate to handle estate property covered by the will and a Grant of Administration for the estate property omitted from the will.)

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.

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.

Submit the Application to the Surrogate Court: After diligently completing all required documents and assembling all the necessary information, you can proceed to lodge the application with the Surrogate Court. A filing fee will be applicable.

Deliver Legally Mandated Notices (Form GA3 and GA4): It's obligatory to send notifications to every beneficiary and certain other parties involved using Form GA3. In cases involving a represented adult under the Public Trustee, a minor, or an individual whose whereabouts are unknown and who has an interest or potential interest in the estate, it is essential to notify the Public Trustee via Form GA4.

Anticipate the Court’s Response: Following the submission of your application, be prepared to await the court’s evaluation. The court might request supplementary documents or information.

Distribute Notices Regarding the Court’s Grant Approval (Form GA7): After the grant is approved by the court, it is necessary to communicate this to all parties who need to be informed by utilizing Form GA7.

Execute Your Responsibilities: Upon receipt of the grant, you may commence the administration of the estate. This entails settling any debts, allocating assets as per legal requirements, and finalizing the estate.

You Don’t Have to Go Through Probate Alone.

Navigating through the intricate steps involved in securing a Grant of Administration can be an overwhelming undertaking, especially when dealing with the loss of a loved one.

The probate process calls for an array of paperwork, adherence to rigid deadlines, and a thorough grasp of Alberta's Estate Administration Act - but it's not something that you need to go through alone.

At ClearEstate, we comprehend the nuances of estate management and we are dedicated to steering you effortlessly through each phase of the probate process. We offer a complimentary consultation during which we can explore your specific circumstances, address any queries you might have, and lay out the clear path to which we can facilitate your acquisition of a Grant of Administration.

Our professionals are wholeheartedly devoted to ensuring the estate in question is handled with utmost accountability and that the beneficiaries acquire what is rightfully theirs. Our support is extended to you in this trying period, to alleviate the strain you might be experiencing.

We encourage you to take the step to connect with us without delay and secure your free consultation. Let us be the compass guiding you through this labyrinthine procedure with tranquility and assurance. Bear in mind, this is not a burden you have to bear in by yourself.

Book your free consultation today.