Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966)

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966) is a commonly used form within Alberta. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966)

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966):

• This form pertains to the State of Alberta

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Alberta’s Form GA3 - Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966) up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct Alberta form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Alberta probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form GA3, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in AB are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form GA3 online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form GA3 witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966) to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

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Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Alberta.

5 reasons you should submit GA3 as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster Alberta can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Alberta. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of Alberta is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Alberta probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Alberta probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form GA3, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966) is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some Alberta probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Alberta.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form GA3 - Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966) f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Alberta probate court office.

Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966) is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Alberta-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Alberta Form GA3 - Notice To Beneficiaries And Other Interested Parties (Cts12966). You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

CTS12966 Rev. 2022-06Page 1 of 4 Public (when completed) Form GA 3 Notice to Beneficiaries and Other Interested Parties Court File Number Clerk's Stamp Address for Service and Contact Information for Party Filing this Document Address City or Town Province Postal Code Date of Death Judicial Centre Court Court of King's Bench of Alberta (Surrogate Matter) Estate Name Name of Recipient of Notice The Estate Administration Act and the Surrogate Rules require grant applicants to notify beneficiaries and certain other parties with interests in the Deceased’s estate. You are one of the persons entitled to be notified. You can contact the Applicant(s), name(s) of applicant(s) or lawyer(s) at name of law firm(s), if applicable , Phone for any further information you may need. Date yyyy-mm-ddName(s) of Applicant(s)Signature , 1. Beneficiary - Non-residuary Gifts Not applicable You are named as a non-residuary beneficiary in the will of the Deceased. The will gives you A grant has been applied for by the Applicant(s). Once the Court issues the grant, the Applicant(s) must collect in the estate property, pay the debts, complete the administration of the estate and anything else required of the Applicant(s). The Applicant(s) will then be able to distribute your gift to you if it is not needed to pay the debts and expenses of the estate. Distribution of the estate may be delayed if a claim is made against the estate under the Family Property Act or Part 5 of the Wills and Succession Act. Applicants have certain duties under the Estate Administration Act, including requirements to communicate regularly with beneficiaries and to maintain proper financial records. If you believe that the Applicant(s) is (are) not complying with any of their duties under that Act, first try to resolve the matter through discussion with the Applicant(s). If you are unable to resolve the matter, you or your lawyer may apply to the Court, which may provide a remedy if it is satisfied that the Applicant(s) is (are) not complying with their duties. CTS12966 Rev. 2022-06Page 2 of 4 Public (when completed) 2. Residuary Beneficiary Not applicable You are named as a residuary beneficiary in the will of the Deceased. The will gives you A grant has been applied for by the Applicant(s). Enclosed with this notice are copies of the grant application (Form GA1) and the inventory (Form GA2) prepared by the Applicant(s). The inventory is for your information and reference. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself as to the accuracy and completeness of the inventory. The Court does not review the content of the inventory. Once the Court issues the grant, the Applicant(s) must collect in the estate property, pay the debts, complete the administration of the estate and anything else required of the Applicant(s). The Applicant(s) will then be able to distribute your gift to you if it is not needed to pay the debts and expenses of the estate. Distribution of the estate may be delayed if a claim is made against the estate under the Family Property Act or Part 5 of the Wills and Succession Act. Applicants have certain duties under the Estate Administration Act, including requirements to communicate regularly with beneficiaries and to maintain proper financial records. If you believe that the Applicant(s) is (are) not complying with any of their duties under that Act, first try to resolve the matter through discussion with the Applicant(s). If you are unable to resolve the matter, you or your lawyer may apply to the Court, which may provide a remedy if it is satisfied that the Applicant(s) is (are) not complying with their duties. 3. Beneficiary on Intestacy Not applicable The Deceased died without leaving a will. Part 3 of the Wills and Succession Act determines which relatives of the Deceased inherit the estate. You are one of the relatives entitled to inherit the Deceased’s estate. The Act entitles you to receive A grant has been applied for by the Applicant(s). Enclosed with this notice is a copy of the grant application (Form GA1) and the inventory (Form GA2) prepared by the Applicant(s). The inventory is for your information and reference. It is the responsibility of the beneficiaries and other parties receiving this notice to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy and completeness of the inventory. The Court does not review the content of the inventory. Once the Court issues the grant, the Applicant(s) must collect in the estate property, pay the debts, complete the administration of the estate and anything else required of the Applicant(s). The Applicant(s) will then be able to distribute your gift to you if it is not needed to pay the debts and expenses of the estate. Distribution of the estate may be delayed if a claim is made against the estate under the Family Property Act or Part 5 of the Wills and Succession Act. Applicants have certain duties under the Estate Administration Act, including requirements to communicate regularly with beneficiaries and to maintain proper financial records. If you believe that the Applicant(s) is (are) not complying with any of their duties under that Act, first try to resolve the matter through discussion with the Applicant(s). If you are unable to resolve the matter, you or your lawyer may apply to the Court, which may provide a remedy if it is satisfied that the Applicant(s) is (are) not complying with their duties. 4. Intended Recipient of Void Gift Not applicable to this notice recipient You are named as a beneficiary in the will of the Deceased. A grant has been applied for by the Applicant(s). The will gives you CTS12966 Rev. 2022-06Page 3 of 4 Public (when completed) The gift made to you is void because: This is a residuary gift. Copies of the grant application (Form GA1) and inventory (Form GA2) prepared by the Applicant(s) are enclosed. This is a specific gift. You are a witness to the will. At the time the will was made, you were the spouse or adult interdependent partner of a witness to the will. The will was made on or after February 1, 2012 and you signed the will on behalf of the Deceased. The will was made on or after February 1, 2012 and you were the spouse or adult interdependent partner of a person who signed the will on behalf of the Deceased. The will was made on or after February 1, 2012 and you were an interpreter who provided translation services in respect of making the will. The will was made on or after February 1, 2012 and you were the spouse or adult interdependent partner of an interpreter who provided translation services in respect of making the will. You may make an application to the Court to validate the gift made to you. You must begin any application within 6 months after the date the Court issues the grant. The personal representative is required to notify you using Form GA7 when the Court issues the grant. You may wish to consult with your own lawyers for advice on how to proceed. 5. Intended Recipient of Revoked Gift Not applicable to this notice recipient You are named as a beneficiary in the will of the Deceased. The will gives you A grant has been applied for by the Applicant(s). Unless the Court, in interpreting the will, finds the Deceased had a contrary intention, the gift to you is deemed to be revoked by section 25 of the Wills and Succession Act because: This is a specific gift. This is a residuary gift. Copies of the grant application (Form GA1) and inventory (Form GA2) prepared by the Applicant(s) are enclosed. At a time on or after February 1, 2012, and after the will was made, your marriage to the Deceased was terminated by a divorce judgment. At a time on or after February 1, 2012, and after the will was made, your marriage to the Deceased was found by a court to be void. At a time on or after February 1, 2012, and after the will was made, you ceased to be the adult interdependent partner of the Deceased. You may apply to the Court to have the will interpreted if you believe the gift to you should not be revoked. You may wish to consult with your own lawyers for advice on how to proceed. CTS12966 Rev. 2022-06Page 4 of 4 Public (when completed) 6. Family member with a potential claim against the estate under Part 5 of the Wills and Succession Act Not applicable to this notice recipient You may be entitled to make a claim for maintenance and support from the Deceased’s estate. Part 5, Division 2 of the Wills and Succession Act allows the following persons to apply to the court to receive more or all of the estate: a. who was under 18 years of age at the time of the Deceased’s death, b. in respect of whom the Deceased, during life, demonstrated a settled intention to treat as the Deceased’s own child, c. whose primary home, since birth or for at least 2 years immediately before the grandparent’s death, was with the grandparent, and d. whose primary financial support, since birth or for at least 2 years immediately before the grandparent’s death, was provided by the grandparent. The Court can change the distribution of the estate and give you more or all of the estate if the Court decides you are a qualified applicant and the circumstances warrant it. You should begin your application to change the distribution of the estate within 6 months after the date on which the Court issues the grant. After that, the Applicant(s) may distribute the estate property and you can only apply to change the distribution if the Court lets you. You can then only ask for some or all of the property in the estate that is still undistributed at that time. The personal representative is required to notify you using Form GA7 when the Court issues the grant. Enclosed with this notice is a copy of the grant application (Form GA1) and the inventory (Form GA2) prepared by the Applicant(s). The inventory is for your information and reference. It is the responsibility of the beneficiaries and other parties receiving this notice to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy and completeness of the inventory. The Court does not review the content of the inventory. If you want to take this further, you must act immediately. You may wish to consult a lawyer for advice on how to proceed. ● a spouse or adult interdependent partner of the Deceased; ● a child of the Deceased who is under 18 years at the time of the Deceased’s death; ● a child of the Deceased who is at least 18 years of age at the time of the Deceased’s death and unable to earn a livelihood by reason of mental or physical disability; ● a child of the Deceased who, at the time of the Deceased’s death, is at least 18 but under 22 years of age and unable to withdraw from their parents’ charge because the child is attending school full-time; ● a grandchild or great-grandchild of the Deceased 7. Person with a Potential Claim Against the Estate Under the Family Property Act Not applicable to this notice recipient You may have a claim under the Family Property Act on the property in the estate. This must be addressed before the estate can be distributed. The Family Property Act gives rights to a spouse, adult interdependent partner, former spouse, or former adult interdependent partner in certain circumstances and the law requires that notice be given to you because you are the spouse, adult interdependent partner, former spouse, or former adult interdependent partner and you have not been given all the property in the estate. You must begin any application within 6 months after the date on which the Court issues the grant. The personal representative is required to notify you using Form GA7 when the Court issues the grant. However, there are other time limits in the Family Property Act which may mean that you have less than 6 months. Enclosed with this notice is a copy of the grant application (Form GA1) and the inventory (Form GA2) prepared by the Applicant(s). The inventory is for your information and reference. It is the responsibility of the beneficiaries and other parties receiving this notice to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy and completeness of the inventory. The Court does not review the content of the inventory. You may wish to consult a lawyer for advice on how to proceed.