Estate and Insurance Dispute Lawyers for the Tri-Cities and Fraser Valley

If a will cut you out, an insurer denied your claim, or you were hurt on someone else's property, we take your side. Pay in fixed phases you can stop at any time, or on contingency when the case is strong. We are your steady representation when matters are contested.

We work with clients in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Langley and Mission, from our office in Coquitlam.

We Help With

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Contested wills and WESA variation

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Disinheritance and unfair wills

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Dealing with an executor or trustee

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Property transferred before death

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Denied long-term disability claims

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Denied life insurance and death benefits

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Slip, fall and liability injury (non-motor vehicle)

Contested Wills and Estate Disputes

BC lets a spouse or child ask the court to change a will that doesn’t provide for them fairly. This is called wills variation. You have 180 days from the grant of probate to start the claim, plus 30 days to serve it.

We also act when an executor won’t share information or pay out the estate, or when property was moved to someone else while the person was still alive.

Estates with no will cause the most disputes. A clear will lowers the odds your own family ends up in court.

180 days

from the grant of probate to start a claim

+30 days

to serve it

Denied Disability and Life Insurance Claims

Insurers deny long-term disability claims for many reasons, like missing medical records or a view that you can still do some other job. The same goes for life insurance and death benefits.

Your time to sue is short: often 1 year from the denial, sometimes 2, depending on the policy. Check the date on your letter and call us.

These files usually run on contingency. You pay no legal fee up front, and our fee comes from what we recover.

1–2 years

to sue after a denial, depending on the policy

legal fee up front on contingency

Slip, Fall and Other Injuries (Non-Motor Vehicle)

If you were hurt because an owner didn’t keep their property reasonably safe, you may have a claim. You generally have 2 years to start it.

We take these claims on contingency, up to 40% of what’s recovered under Law Society of BC rules. We don’t take car accident claims. Those go through ICBC’s Enhanced Care system.

2 years

generally, to start a claim

Up to 40%

contingency cap under Law Society of BC rules

Two Ways to Pay

You choose how to pay, and both options are priced up front.

Option A

Pay as It Progresses, Stop Any Time.

Fixed fee by phase

Assess

Merits opinion and demand letter.

$1,500–3,500

Commence

Pleadings filed and served.

$2,500–5,000

Discovery

Documents and examinations.

$4,000–8,000

Mediation

Preparation and attendance.

$3,000–5,000

Trial

Preparation and hearing.

by quote

Option B

Paid From the Recovery, Strong Cases Only.

Contingency

Estate & Inheritance

Contested wills, WESA variation.

25–33%

Disability & Life Insurance

Denied LTD, death benefit.

25–35%

Injury, non-motor vehicle

Slip, fall and liability claims.

25–40%

The percentage scales with the stage at which the case resolves. Percentages are maximums under Law Society of British Columbia rules.

Why Clients Choose Spraggs Law

4.6

Read our 151 reviews

Know the cost before you commit.

Each phase is quoted and agreed in writing, so there’s no open-ended bill. On contingency, the percentage is set in writing and capped by Law Society of BC rules. See the full pricing menu.

Talk to a lawyer without the lawyer-talk.

Court cases move slowly and the paperwork piles up. We tell you where things stand at each stage and what comes next.

Trust a name your neighbours already know.

Your case goes to senior lawyers led by Thomas L. Spraggs, KC, a title only about 3% of BC lawyers hold. We’ve represented clients at every level of court.

4.6

Read our 151 reviews

Dispute Questions

How long do I have to contest a will in BC?

For a wills variation claim, 180 days from the grant of probate, plus 30 days to serve the claim. Other challenges have different deadlines, so call early.

Who can challenge a will in BC?

A spouse or child can ask the court to vary a will. Others can challenge whether a will is valid at all, for example if the person lacked mental capacity or was pressured into it.

What does contingency mean?

Our fee comes out of the money recovered. The percentage depends on the stage the case resolves at, and Law Society of BC rules set the maximum. Court fees and other costs are separate.

My disability claim was denied. What should I do?

Keep the denial letter and your policy, and note the date on the letter. The clock to sue may already be running. Book a consultation and bring both.

Can I stop partway through?

Yes. Fixed phases are quoted and agreed before each one begins, and you can stop at any stage.

Do you take car accident claims?

No. Motor-vehicle injuries in BC go through ICBC’s Enhanced Care system.

Let us size your matter

Our initial consultation is a flat $300 plus tax, focused and under one hour. If you retain us, the fee is credited toward your retainer.