Malcolm Soles is a lawyer with Columbia Valley Law Corporation and works from both the Invermere and Golden offices. His practice focuses on estate planning, probate and estate administration, real estate and business law.
Malcolm helps clients plan for the future, complete important transactions and address legal issues before they become disputes. He takes the time to understand what a client is trying to accomplish, explains the relevant considerations in plain language and prepares documents that accurately carry out the client’s intentions.
Estate Planning
Malcolm advises clients on wills, enduring powers of attorney, representation agreements and other estate-planning tools.
A sound estate plan should address more than the distribution of property after death. It should also identify who can manage the client’s financial and legal affairs during incapacity and who can make personal-care and health-care decisions when necessary.
Estate planning may require consideration of:
- Family relationships and responsibilities
- Jointly owned property
- Beneficiary designations
- Businesses and corporate assets
- Real estate
- Trusts for children or other beneficiaries
- Obligations to spouses and children
- The selection of executors, attorneys and representatives
Malcolm helps clients identify these issues and develop plans appropriate to their circumstances. His objective is to produce documents that are legally effective, clearly expressed and practical for the people who may eventually need to rely on them.
Probate and Estate Administration
Malcolm assists executors and administrators throughout the estate-administration process.
His work may include:
- Explaining the personal representative’s duties
- Determining whether an estate grant is required
- Preparing applications for probate or administration
- Identifying and notifying beneficiaries
- Assisting with the collection, transfer or sale of estate assets
- Coordinating the transmission or transfer of real property
- Addressing debts and claims against the estate
- Working with accountants on tax filings and clearance certificates
- Preparing interim and final distributions
- Advising on estate accounts, releases and executor compensation
Acting as an executor can be demanding, particularly when the executor is grieving, lives outside British Columbia or is unfamiliar with the legal process. Malcolm helps personal representatives understand what must be done, which decisions require particular care and when assistance from accountants, financial institutions or other professionals may be needed.
He also advises beneficiaries who have questions about the administration of an estate or the information they should expect to receive.
Real Estate
Malcolm advises clients on residential and commercial real estate transactions and other matters involving the ownership and transfer of land.
His work includes:
- Purchases and sales
- Financing and mortgage transactions
- Transfers between family members
- Joint ownership arrangements
- Title matters
- Easements and covenants
- Residential and commercial property issues
- Estate-related transfers of real property
Real estate transactions can involve significant financial consequences, complicated title documents and obligations that are not apparent from an inspection of the property. Malcolm helps clients understand the documents affecting their land, identify potential problems and complete transactions efficiently.
Business Law
Malcolm assists business owners with incorporations, corporate records, commercial agreements, reorganizations and business transactions.
He works with clients and their accountants or tax advisers to ensure that the legal documents reflect the intended ownership and business structure. His approach emphasizes clear documentation, practical governance and the early identification of issues that might otherwise interfere with a future financing, sale, succession or reorganization.
Practical Advice and Careful Planning
Much of a solicitor’s most valuable work is preventative: a problem identified before closing, an ambiguity removed from an agreement or an estate plan designed to avoid unnecessary uncertainty.
Malcolm recognizes that clients are usually dealing with important life events rather than abstract legal questions. Buying property, preparing a will, administering an estate or organizing a business can carry significant personal and financial consequences. He provides measured advice and helps clients make informed decisions without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.