Legal and Government Resources for Our Clients: Official BC Sites, Registries and Forms

Most matters we handle pass through a government office, a registry or a court at some point: a title search, a probate form, a tax return, a company filing. This guide brings together the official sites, registries, forms and calculators that come up in our clients' matters, organized by the services we provide.

For each one we explain what it is for, when you are likely to need it, and where we take the work off your hands. It is general information, not legal advice. Every link was opened and checked on October 22, 2026.

How to use this guide

Find the service that matches your matter below. Each section lists the official sources in the order you are likely to meet them, with a line on what each one is and when it comes up, and then sets out where we come in. Links to our own guides go deeper on each topic, and each section ends with links to our service page and to our contact page.

Probate & Estates

When someone dies, the executor named in the will, or an administrator if there is no will, deals with government offices, the court registry and the Canada Revenue Agency. These are the official sources you will meet, in the usual order.

• After a death: wills and estates: the Province's overview of what happens to an estate, with or without a will, and when a grant of probate or administration is needed. When you will meet it: in the first weeks, to see what lies ahead.
• Death certificates: official proof of death, ordered from the Vital Statistics Agency. When you will meet it: early on; banks, insurers, government offices and the court registry ask for it.
• CPP death benefit and survivor's pension: a one-time payment to the estate of an eligible Canada Pension Plan contributor, and a monthly pension for a surviving spouse or common-law partner. When you will meet them: soon after the death; the executor applies for the death benefit.
• Wills Registry: the Vital Statistics Agency's registry of wills notices. When you will meet it: before the probate application, which must include a wills search.
• Supreme Court probate forms: the official forms for applying for a grant, including the notice of proposed application (Form P1) and the submission for estate grant (Form P2). When you will meet it: when the application is prepared, and when the notice goes to beneficiaries and family members at least 21 days before filing.
• Wills, Estates and Succession Act and Probate Fee Act: the laws on an executor's duties, who inherits when there is no will and when an estate can be distributed, and on the fee charged on the value of the estate. When you will meet them: throughout the administration, and when the probate fee is paid.
• Public Guardian and Trustee: grant application review: the provincial office that reviews probate and administration applications where a beneficiary is a minor or may be mentally incapable. When you will meet it: if that applies, the Public Guardian and Trustee must receive notice, and the court cannot issue the grant until it has the Public Guardian and Trustee's comments.
• Guides for making changes to title: the Land Title and Survey Authority's guides, including transmitting a property to a surviving joint tenant or to the executor. When you will meet it: if the person owned real estate in BC, before it is sold or transferred to a beneficiary.
• Doing taxes for someone who died: the CRA's steps for the final return and any estate (T3) returns. When you will meet it: in the months after the death; the due date of the final return depends on the date of death.
• Clearance certificate: a CRA certificate, requested on Form TX19, confirming that the estate's taxes are paid or secured. When you will meet it: before the final distribution, so the executor is not personally liable for unpaid tax.

Where we come in

• We order the wills search and prepare the probate application, the notices and the supporting affidavits.
• We file the application, calculate the probate fee and deal with the court registry until the grant is issued.
• We transfer or sell real estate through the Land Title Office.
• We guide the executor through debts, tax returns, the clearance certificate, the 210-day waiting period, and the final accounts and distribution.

Our guides: a legal checklist for when a parent dies, executor duties step by step, do you need probate in BC? and BC probate forms explained.

All Probate & Estates guides · Our Probate & Estates service · Talk to us

Wills & Estate Planning

A will, an enduring power of attorney and a representation agreement together decide who looks after your affairs if you die or cannot make decisions. These are the official sources behind them.

• Wills, Estates and Succession Act: sets the formal requirements for a valid will, and lets a spouse or child ask the court to vary a will that does not make adequate provision for them. When you will meet it: when you make or change a will.
• Power of Attorney Act: the rules for an enduring power of attorney, which lets someone you choose manage your financial and legal affairs, including if you lose capacity. When you will meet it: when you plan for incapacity alongside your will.
• Representation Agreement Act: the rules for appointing someone to help with or make your health care and personal care decisions. When you will meet it: at the same time.
• Advance care planning: the Province's guide to recording your wishes for future health care, including advance directives. When you will meet it: when you think about the care you would want if you could not speak for yourself.
• Wills Registry: where a wills notice records the location of your original will. When you will meet it: after you sign; filing is optional, but it helps your executor find the will.
• RRSP and RRIF amounts paid on death: when registered retirement savings can pass to a spouse, common-law partner or financially dependent child or grandchild, and how they are reported. When you will meet it: when you name or review the beneficiaries of your registered plans.
• What happens when a TFSA holder dies: the difference between naming your spouse as successor holder and naming a beneficiary. When you will meet it: in the same review.
• Public Guardian and Trustee: adults: the provincial office that investigates reports of abuse, neglect or self-neglect of adults, and can manage an adult's affairs when no one else is available. When you will meet it: if there is no plan in place, or a concern arises about how an attorney or representative is acting.

Where we come in

• We take your instructions and draft your will, enduring power of attorney and representation agreement to fit your family and your assets.
• We supervise the signing so that each document meets the formal requirements.
• We file the wills notice for you.
• We review your beneficiary designations with you and coordinate with your accountant or financial adviser.

Our guides: estate planning documents in BC, signing and witnessing a valid will, power of attorney vs representation agreement and when to update your will.

All Wills & Estate Planning guides · Our Wills & Estate Planning service · Talk to us

Real Estate

Buying, selling or refinancing a home in BC runs through public registries and two levels of tax, and strata and pre-sale homes have their own rules. These are the official sources, in the order most buyers meet them.

• First Home Savings Account and Home Buyers' Plan: two federal ways to put tax-sheltered savings toward a first home. When you will meet them: while you save for the down payment, and when you withdraw the money before completion.
• BC Assessment: the Crown corporation that values every property in BC each year, with recent sales information. When you will meet it: before you make an offer.
• Search for a title: how to order a title search from the Land Title and Survey Authority, showing the registered owner and any mortgages, liens and other charges. When you will meet it: before you remove subjects; we search title on every purchase.
• Strata Property Act: the law behind the Form B information certificate, strata bylaws, special levies and the contingency reserve fund. When you will meet it: when you buy a strata unit, before you remove subjects.
• Home Buyer Rescission Period: the BC Financial Services Authority's summary of the three-business-day right to cancel most home purchases, and its 0.25% cost. When you will meet it: in the three business days after the seller accepts your offer.
• Consumer Guide to Pre-sale Real Estate Purchases: BCFSA's guide to buying before construction is finished, including the disclosure statement and the seven-day right to cancel. When you will meet it: before and just after you sign a pre-sale contract.
• Property transfer tax and the first time home buyers' program: the tax paid when a transfer is registered, and the exemption for qualifying first-time buyers. When you will meet them: at completion, when the tax return is filed with the transfer.
• First-time home buyers' GST rebate: a federal rebate of GST on a qualifying newly built home. When you will meet it: when you buy a new home from a builder.
• BC Property Connect: an LTSA service that lets owners keep track of updates to their property in one secure account. When you will meet it: after completion, as a guard against title fraud.
• Home owner grant, the speculation and vacancy tax and Vancouver's empty homes tax: the yearly grant and declarations that come with owning a home. When you will meet them: every year after you buy.

Where we come in

• We review the contract of purchase and sale and the strata documents, ideally before you remove subjects.
• We search title and prepare the transfer and your mortgage documents.
• We file the property transfer tax return and claim the exemptions you qualify for.
• We receive the funds from you and your lender into our trust account, settle the statement of adjustments and pay the seller.
• We register the transfer and the mortgage at the Land Title Office and confirm registration after completion.

Our guides: first-time home buyer mistakes, closing costs on a BC home purchase, reviewing strata documents before buying and what your real estate lawyer does before completion day.

All Real Estate guides · Our Real Estate service · Talk to us

Family Law

If you or your children are in danger, call 911.

Separation raises questions about parenting, support, property and debt. These are the official laws, guidelines and courts behind the answers.

• Family Law Act: BC's law on parenting arrangements, guardianship, child and spousal support, and dividing family property and debt, for married and unmarried spouses. When you will meet it: from the day you separate.
• Divorce Act: the federal law on divorce, which applies only to married spouses. When you will meet it: if you are married and want a divorce.
• Federal Child Support Guidelines and child support tables: the rules, and the tables that set the basic amount of child support from the paying parent's income. When you will meet them: when child support is worked out, in an agreement or in court.
• Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines: the formulas lawyers and courts use to estimate the amount and length of spousal support. When you will meet it: when spousal support is in issue.
• Change your marital status: how to tell the CRA you have separated, which can change your Canada child benefit and other credits. When you will meet it: once you have been separated for more than 90 days.
• Getting ready for family court: the Provincial Court's guide to family cases about parenting, support and protection orders. When you will meet it: if your case is in the Provincial Court.
• Supreme Court family forms: the official forms for family cases in the Supreme Court, which grants divorces and divides family property. When you will meet it: if your case is in the Supreme Court.
• BC Family Maintenance Agency: the provincial service that collects child and spousal support under an order or agreement. When you will meet it: if support payments are not made as ordered or agreed.

Where we come in

• We advise you on parenting, child and spousal support, and dividing property and debt, from the first steps after separation.
• We search title to the family home and gather the financial information the case needs.
• We negotiate for you and draft separation agreements.
• We prepare and file court documents, including divorce applications, and act for you in the Provincial Court and the Supreme Court.

Our guides: first steps after separating, how to get a divorce in BC, how child support is calculated and dividing family property.

All Family Law guides · Our Family Law service · Talk to us

Business Law

Starting and running a company in BC means filings with the Province and the CRA every year, and obligations to the people you employ.

• BC Registries and Online Services: the Province's online service for name requests, incorporations, annual reports and company searches. When you will meet it: when the company is set up, and every year when the annual report is due.
• Business Corporations Act: the law that governs BC companies, their directors, shareholders and records. When you will meet it: from incorporation on.
• Corporations Canada: the federal registry, for companies incorporated under federal law. When you will meet it: if you incorporate federally rather than in BC.
• Transparency register: the record every private BC company must keep of the individuals with significant control over it. When you will meet it: at incorporation, and whenever those individuals change.
• Register for a business number: how to get a CRA business number and the program accounts for GST/HST, payroll and corporate income tax. When you will meet it: when you start doing business.
• Register to collect PST: when a business must register to collect BC provincial sales tax, and how to register through eTaxBC. When you will meet it: before you sell taxable goods or services in BC.
• WorkSafeBC coverage: who needs workers' compensation coverage and how to register. When you will meet it: when you hire your first worker.
• Employment standards: the minimum rules on pay, hours, leave and ending employment. When you will meet it: when you hire, and whenever an employee leaves.
• Pay transparency: BC's pay transparency rules, including pay ranges in job postings and, from November 1, 2026, annual reports by employers with 50 or more employees in BC. When you will meet it: when you advertise a job, and each year once your business reaches that size.

Where we come in

• We incorporate your company and prepare its articles and first resolutions.
• We set up and maintain the minute book, the registers and the transparency register.
• We file annual reports and record changes of directors and shareholders.
• We draft shareholders' agreements and employment agreements.

Our guides: when incorporating makes sense, annual compliance for BC companies, the transparency register and shareholders' agreements.

All Business Law guides · Our Business Law service · Talk to us

Business Purchase & Sale

Buying or selling a business means checking what is being sold, dealing with tax and employees, and transferring licences. These are the official sources involved.

• Request business or organization records: how to obtain a company's summary, filing history and certificate of good standing from BC Registries. When you will meet it: at the start of due diligence, and again before closing.
• Personal Property Registry: the registry of security interests, such as loans secured on equipment and inventory. When you will meet it: in due diligence, to find charges that must be paid out or released at closing.
• PST when buying and selling a business: why a buyer should obtain a PST clearance certificate, and the buyer's liability if it does not. When you will meet it: before closing.
• Buying a business: the CRA's GST/HST rules on a purchase, including the joint election on Form GST44. When you will meet it: when the purchase agreement is drafted, and at closing.
• Selling a business: what a seller must do with the CRA, including closing payroll and GST/HST accounts. When you will meet it: at and after closing.
• Clearance letter: a WorkSafeBC letter confirming whether an employer's account is in good standing. When you will meet it: before closing, to check the seller's account.
• Sale of business: section 97: the Employment Standards Branch's guide to the rule that employment is treated as continuous when a business is sold. When you will meet it: when you decide which employees stay with the business.
• Transfer a liquor licence: how a liquor licence passes to a new owner through the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. When you will meet it: if the business holds a liquor licence.

Where we come in

• We run the company, lien and other searches and coordinate due diligence with your accountant.
• We draft or review the letter of intent and the purchase agreement, whether the deal is for shares or assets.
• We obtain the tax and WorkSafeBC clearances and the consents the deal needs.
• We close the transaction and deliver the closing documents.

Our guides: buying a business: the legal steps, a due diligence checklist and selling your business.

All Business Purchase & Sale guides · Our Business Purchase & Sale service · Talk to us

Litigation

Every dispute has a deadline and a forum. These are the official sources you will meet, from the first deadline to enforcing a judgment.

• Limitation Act: most claims must be started within two years after the day the claim is discovered. When you will meet it: first, as soon as a dispute arises.
• ICBC claims: how to report a crash and make a claim with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. When you will meet it: after a motor vehicle crash.
• Residential Tenancy Branch dispute resolution: how landlords and tenants apply to resolve disputes over rent, deposits, repairs and ending a tenancy. When you will meet it: in most residential tenancy disputes.
• Civil Resolution Tribunal: BC's online tribunal for small claims up to $5,000, most strata disputes and some motor vehicle accident claims. When you will meet it: when your dispute falls within its jurisdiction.
• Getting ready for small claims court: the Provincial Court's guide for claims from $5,001 to $35,000. When you will meet it: if your claim is in that range.
• Supreme Court of British Columbia: the province's superior trial court, which hears larger civil claims. When you will meet it: for claims over $35,000 and many other civil matters.
• Supreme Court Civil Rules: the procedure for Supreme Court cases, from the notice of civil claim through document disclosure to trial. When you will meet it: once a claim is started or served.
• Court Services Online: the Province's service for searching court files and filing documents electronically. When you will meet it: while the case is under way.
• Court Order Enforcement Act: the law on enforcing a judgment, including garnishing wages or bank accounts and registering the judgment against land. When you will meet it: after judgment, if the other side does not pay.
• Court of Appeal for British Columbia: hears appeals from the Supreme Court and some tribunals. When you will meet it: if a decision is appealed; strict deadlines apply.

Where we come in

• We assess your claim or defence and identify the deadlines that apply.
• We send and answer demand letters and negotiate settlements.
• We draft and file pleadings and take the case through document disclosure, examinations and applications.
• We represent you at mediations, hearings and trial.
• We enforce the judgment if the other side does not pay.

Our guides: CRT, small claims or Supreme Court?, the two-year limitation period, served with a notice of civil claim and enforcing a judgment.

All Litigation guides · Our Litigation service · Talk to us

Notarization

Documents for use abroad, land title forms and declarations often need a lawyer's or notary's signature, and documents going outside Canada may then need authenticating. Ask the receiving country or organization what it needs before you book.

• Guide to the Authentication of Documents: the Province's program for authenticating BC public documents for use outside Canada. When you will meet it: after a document is notarized, if the receiving country needs it authenticated.
• The Apostille Convention: since January 11, 2024, documents authenticated in Canada can carry an apostille, which member countries accept without a further consulate step. When you will meet it: if the document is going to a member country.
• Authentication of documents: Global Affairs Canada's service, with a guide to finding the right authority for your document. When you will meet it: if your document was issued by a federal authority, or you are not sure where to send it.
• Foreign representatives in Canada: the list of embassies and consulates in Canada. When you will meet it: if the receiving country is not a member of the Convention, or asks for a consulate step or a certified translation.
• Order certificates and copies: how to order BC birth, marriage and death certificates from the Vital Statistics Agency. When you will meet it: when a foreign authority asks for an official certificate, which may then need authenticating.
• Land title forms: the LTSA's forms, such as the transfer (Form A) and the mortgage (Form B), which an individual signs before an officer such as a lawyer or notary. When you will meet it: when you sign a transfer or a mortgage, including from outside BC.

Where we come in

• We witness signatures and notarize documents, certified true copies and affidavits.
• We take statutory declarations.
• We witness and certify signatures on land title forms.
• We tell you whether a document needs an apostille, authentication or a consulate step before it goes abroad.

Our guides: getting an apostille for BC documents, notary public services in BC and what to bring to a notary appointment.

All Notarization guides · Our Notarization service · Talk to us

Laws and court decisions

When a letter, a form or a court document refers to a law or a decision, these are the official places to read it.

• BC Laws: the official source of current BC statutes and regulations. Look up the Act a letter or form refers to, such as the Strata Property Act.
• Justice Laws Website: the official source of federal Acts and regulations, such as the Divorce Act and the Income Tax Act.
• CanLII: a database of Canadian court and tribunal decisions, searchable by name or keyword. Clients use it to read a decision in their own case, or one their case relies on.
• BC Courts judgments: decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of British Columbia, searchable by keyword, date or court.

Verify our lawyers

Every lawyer practising in British Columbia must be a member of the Law Society of British Columbia, which keeps a public directory of its members. You can use the Law Society's lawyer directory to confirm the standing of our lawyers, Naushad Ahmed and Nouredeen Abouhamra. Their backgrounds and calls to the bar are on our About Us page.

Talk to us

Bring us in before you sign a contract, a separation agreement or a release; when a deadline is close; when you have been served with court papers or a demand letter; and whenever your home, an estate or a business is at stake. We handle the steps described in this guide and tell you which of them need your decision.

Call 604-259-2844 or send us a message to arrange a consultation at our Vancouver office. On our contact page you can also text, chat or email us.