Quick Verdict
- One80 Law is Best for Full-Service Estate Management from Application to Final Distribution, rated 4.7 stars across 265 Google reviews.
- Summit Legal Group suits executors who want flat-rate grant applications backed by an in-house Certified Executor Advisor.
- The Last Word Wills and Estates Law is an estates-focused Firm for uncontested files, with an A+ BBB rating.
- None of the three publishes a probate dollar figure, so every comparison here rests on scope, access, and track record.
One80 Law comes out ahead in this three-way comparison of Calgary probate lawyers for 2026, followed closely by Summit Legal Group and The Last Word Wills and Estates Law. One80 wins on scope: it stays on the estate from the grant application through final distribution and accounting, and it works virtually across three provinces.
Summit Legal Group and The Last Word cover narrower probate scopes than One80. Summit pairs five lawyers with an executor advisor for fixed-fee applications, while The Last Word centres its practice on wills and estates.
How These Three Firms Were Compared
Each executor needs a probate lawyer that fits one specific estate, so five factors drove this comparison:
- Scope: Whether the firm handles only the grant or the full administration that follows.
- Fee transparency: Whether the firm explains its billing model before you call.
- Access: Virtual meetings, remote signing, and office locations.
- Client evidence: Google review volume and consistency, plus any public complaints.
- Credentials: Founding year, team depth, and third-party recognition.
Each lawyer’s practising status can be confirmed in the Law Society of Alberta’s public directory, which lists enrolment year and any discipline history since 2015.
At a Glance: One80 Law vs Summit Legal Group vs The Last Word
| Factor | One80 Law | Summit Legal Group | The Last Word |
| Best for | Best for Full-Service Estate Management from Application to Final Distribution | Flat-rate grant applications | Uncontested estates, estates focus |
| Founded | 2018 | 2015 | 2015 |
| Probate scope | Application to final accounting | Grant applications, resealing, advisory | Probate and administration grants |
| Estate litigation advertised | No | No | No |
| Published probate fee | No (fixed fee, quoted) | No (flat rates, quoted) | No |
| Meeting model | Virtual-first, in person when preferred | Southeast Calgary office | Downtown Southeast Calgary office |
| Public rating | 4.7 (265 Google, Birdeye) | 4.9 (602 Google, Birdeye) | 5.0 (8 reviews, TrustAnalytica) |
The Three Calgary Probate Firms, Profiled
1. One80 Law – Best for full-service estate management from application to final distribution
One80 Law carries Calgary estates through probate applications, executor support, estate administration, and final accounting and reporting. Catherine Young, a barrister and solicitor called to the Alberta bar in 2007 and admitted in British Columbia in 2021.
One80’s end-to-end estate scope earns it the top spot, since a grant-only quote leaves tax filings and beneficiary accounting to the executor.
Our Good Life’s 2026 executor ranking calls One80 Law the best overall full-service fit, describing its coverage as running from application through final distribution and accounting.
Google reviewers give One80 an average of 4.7 out of 5 across 265 reviews, as compiled by Birdeye. A client who had recently lost her husband and called about filing probate described the experience this way:
“They were so kind and compassionate to me at one of the worst times in my life.”- Marie Kean,5⭐on Google review via Birdeye (2026)
One80 Law Group reports a 2021 CommunityVotes Calgary Platinum award for CommunityVotes Calgary named One80 Law Group Platinum for Estate Lawyers in 2021. Blue Sky Calgary’s 2026 roundup of Calgary wills lawyers adds that the firm “has offered virtual legal services” since 2018.
What Stands Out:
- One firm accountable from grant application to final distribution
- Remote signing for executors outside Calgary
- Serves clients in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario for estates holding BC or Ontario property
Points to Consider:
- Fixed fees are quoted per estate, with no published figure
- A one-lawyer firm, so confirm who appears in court if a dispute arises
Who It Suits: Executors who want a single firm to own the estate from first filing to final release.
Contact:
Address: Suite 101, 2410 1 Street SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1P6
Phone: 587-880-2260
2. Summit Legal Group – Best for flat-rate grants with executor advisor support
Summit Legal Group offers estate assessment, will examination, grant of probate and administration applications, resealing of grants, and advisory work for executors and beneficiaries. Sean V. Green founded the Firm in 2015, and five lawyers now sit on its team.
Summit Legal Group employs a Certified Executor Advisor, Craig A. Gorham, as its Manager of Wills and Estates, helping personal representatives work through their duties.
Summit’s review base is the largest of the three, at 4.9 stars from 602 Google reviews on Birdeye. Lawyer Mark K. Kiggundu is recognised for Corporate Law since 2025.
What Stands Out:
- Flat-rate fees for most services, quoted with no obligation
- In-house Certified Executor Advisor
- Handles resealing of grants issued in other jurisdictions
Points to Consider:
- No estate litigation advertised
- Office-based model in southeast Calgary
- No published probate dollar figure
Who It Suits: Executors of straightforward estates who want a fixed price and practical help with their duties.
Contact:
Address: #200, 30 Glendeer Circle SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2Z7
Phone: 587-356-0356
3. The Last Word Wills and Estates Law – Best for uncontested estates, estates focus
The Last Word Wills and Estates Law focuses on wills and estates work from its downtown Southeast Calgary office . The firm says we prepare and submit these applications every day. For both grants of probate and grants of administration.
Craig Tervit founded the firm in 2015 after coming to Calgary for the University of Calgary’s combined Law/MBA program. It has been BBB Accredited since January 2017 and holds an A+ BBB rating.
A Google reviewer using the name Local expert raised concerns about billing and communication, reporting that:
“He went silent for weeks during a time-sensitive legal matter, ignoring my inquiries”- Local expert, 1⭐on Google (2026)
What Stands Out:
- Estates focus covering wills, planning, and administration
- BBB Accredited since 2017
- Handles both probate and intestate grant applications
Points to Consider:
- Smallest public review base of the three
- No published fees and no estate litigation advertised
Who It Suits: Executors of uncontested estates who prefer a wills-and-estates specialist.
Contact:
Address: #500, 110 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0T1
Phone: 403-805-2921
- Head-to-Head: Scope of Service
Service scope separates these three Calgary probate firms more than price does. The Government of Alberta now has four main tasks to satisfy its debts and obligations: identify assets and liabilities, administer the estate, pay its debts, and distribute and account for it.
A grant application covers only part of a personal representative’s duties, and the remainder includes tax filings. The Canada Revenue Agency warns that a representative who distributes without a clearance certificate can be personally liable for unpaid tax up to the value of the assets distributed, with assessments taking up to 120 days once all documents are in.
Each firm handles post-grant administration differently:
- One80 Law lists final accounting and reporting as part of its probate service.
- Summit Legal Group offers estate administration advisory plus executor advisor support.
- The Last Word prepares and files grant applications and handles estate administration matters.
- Head-to-Head: Fees and Billing
Alberta caps the court fee for a grant at $525 for estates over $250,000, according to the Government of Alberta’s court fee schedule. Smaller estates pay as little as $35.
None of the three firms publishes a probate legal fee, and each uses a different billing approach. One80 bills a fixed fee quoted per estate, Summit advertises flat rates for most services, and The Last Word publishes no fee information and invites executors to book a consultation.
Ask each firm to put three things in writing: what the fee covers, what triggers extra charges, and how billing changes if a beneficiary disputes the will.
- Head-to-Head: Access and Timelines
One80 is the only virtual-first option of the three, with remote signing and in-person meetings when preferred. Summit works from southeast Calgary and The Last Word from downtown, which suits executors who want face-to-face meetings.
Alberta requires lawyers to use its Surrogate Digital Service for every application it can process, so the filing step is equally digital at all three firms.
Alberta sets no fixed deadline for finishing an estate. ClearEstate notes that executors “generally have up to a year” as a rule of thumb, with complex estates often taking longer.
Which Firm Fits Your Estate?
Estate type decides the right Calgary probate lawyer:
- If you live outside Calgary or want one firm through final accounting: One80 Law, with remote signing and service across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.
- If you want a flat rate and hands-on help with executor duties: Summit Legal Group and its Certified Executor Advisor.
- If your estate is simple and you prefer an estates-focused specialist: The Last Word Wills and Estates Law.
- If you expect a will challenge: None of these three advertises estate litigation, so ask who would handle a dispute before you sign.
Common Questions About Calgary Probate Lawyers
Which Calgary probate lawyer is best for a full estate administration?
One80 Law fits best when you want one firm from the grant application through final accounting. Summit and The Last Word both handle grant applications, with published services centred on filings and advisory work.
How much does probate cost in Calgary?
The court fee runs from $35 to $525 by estate value, and legal fees come on top. None of these three firms publish a probate figure, so request a written quote.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for probate in Alberta?
No, Alberta residents named on the application can file for a grant themselves through the Surrogate Digital Service. A lawyer adds value when the estate holds real estate, a business, property in another province, or a likely dispute.
How much can an executor charge in Alberta?
Executor compensation must be fair and reasonable, and courts often refer to guideline percentages. ClearEstate cites guidelines of 3% to 5% on the first $250,000 of the estate’s value, though they are not mandatory.
What if the will is challenged?
The Court of King’s Bench offers surrogate case conferences at any stage of estate litigation, according to Alberta Courts. None of the three firms here advertises estate litigation, so confirm referral arrangements early.
The Bottom Line
Among these three Calgary probate lawyers, One80 Law leads for executors who want full estate management from application to final distribution, delivered virtually.
Summit Legal Group is the stronger pick for flat-rate grants with advisor support, and The Last Word suits simple estates handled by a specialist.
Whichever firm you call, get the scope and billing in writing before the grant application is filed.
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