vcc.ca
OADM 1260: Wills and Probates for Legal Administrative Assistants
Effective date
September 2025
Department
Legal Administrative Assistant
School
Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
Description
This course covers the preparation of wills and codicils, and the documents necessary to apply for grants of Letters Probate and Letters of Administration. Students prepare documents acceptable for filing at the Probate Registry, and for the transmission and distribution of estates; they also prepare correspondence and documents while learning legal vocabulary.
Credits
3.5
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
OADM 1150.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Communicate effectively, using the language, theory and precedents appropriate to wills and estates
- Analyze and solve wills and estates issues independently and collaboratively
- Identify the statutes, both provincial and federal, that apply to wills and estates
- Understand the differences between probate and administration, and different Acts and procedures that apply to each
- Create accurate correspondence and documents for the preparation of wills and codicils, applications for letters probate, letters of administration with and without will annexed, and transmission and transfer of the deceased's assets
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 25
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 45
Total Hours: 70
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 45
Total Hours: 70
Instructional Strategies
This course emphasizes practical skills training, including keyboarding and transcription. Students will work individually and in groups in a computer lab. Theory is presented in lectures, videos, and demonstrations. Both practical and theoretical knowledge may be supported with field trips to Law Courts and law offices.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C+
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
30 |
communication, simulations, reflections |
|
Project |
10 |
Project assignment |
|
Other |
5 |
Timed Typing test |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
30 |
2 Theory quizzes, each worth 15% |
|
Final Exam |
25 |
Practical examination |
Course topics
- Trusts
- Testamentary trusts
- Wills and codicils
- Drafting wills and codicils
- Affidavits in estate work
- Estate handling model
- Confirmation and notification
- Valuation
- Application
- Distribution
- Probate with minor beneficiaries
- Administration with will annexed
- Administration
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.