Biography
Eleanor is a recognized wills and estates lawyer who takes a forward-thinking approach to the practice of estate law. Eleanor utilizes her deep knowledge of the practice area to craft personalized legal solutions that combine creativity with strategy. From personal estate planning to navigating high-conflict estate disputes, Eleanor is committed to empowering her clients during the legal process. She wants her clients to have a comprehensive understanding of their legal issues and their rights and responsibilities as they engage with the legal process. Eleanor also understands the sensitive nature of estate law and strives to bring both empathy and pragmatism to her work. Upon graduating from law school, Eleanor received the Faculty of Law Silver Medallion and has since obtained the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation.
Estate Planning: Eleanor develops personalized estate, succession, and incapacity documents. She prepares wills, powers of attorney, and personal directives, as well as guardianship and trusteeship applications and plans.
Estate Administration: Eleanor prepares probate and grant of administration applications and advises executors and beneficiaries through the estate administration process.
Estate Litigation and Dispute Resolution: Eleanor assists clients to resolve disputes on the validity and interpretation of wills. She advises clients with respect to estate accounting and handles issues relating to the decisions of executors and conflicts arising from the administration of estates and trusts. Eleanor represents clients in capacity and undue influence estate challenges and dependency claims for financial maintenance and support from estates. She also represents clients in contentious adult guardianship and trusteeship matters.
Access to Justice: Eleanor is an advocate for access to justice. She is a director for the board of Pro Bono Law Alberta and a founding director of the Great Bar Band Battle Society. Since 2016, the Great Bar Band Battle Society has donated over $150,000 to support local access to justice organizations, including Calgary Legal Guidance, Student Legal Assistance, and Pro Bono Law Alberta.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, (Anthropology, Political Science), University of Alberta, 2007
- Master of Arts (Cultural Anthropology), University of Victoria, 2010
- Juris Doctor, University of Calgary, 2015, Dean’s List; Faculty of Law Silver Medallion (Campbell McLaurin Achievement Award)
Professional Memberships
- Law Society of Alberta (2016)
- Canadian Bar Association
- Calgary Bar Association
- Association of Women Lawyers
- STEP Canada Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
You Need a Will? There Is a Way!
September 9, 2021
Estate planning is important to make sure your assets will be managed in the way you want after death. This article goes over the most important documents, including your will, power of attorney, and a personal directive.
Continue ReadingCarbert Waite LLP Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada for 2022
August 31, 2021
Matthew Bobawasky and Eleanor Carlson have been awarded with Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Continue ReadingWhat is the Cost of a Probate Lawyer?
February 8, 2021
In Alberta, probate is the court processes that prove the validity of a will and provides the power and control to the executor (also known as a personal representative) to act on the instructions left in the will. To apply for probate of an estate, the individual seeking to be…
Continue ReadingCarbert Waite January 28, 2021 Employment Law Webinar
February 3, 2021
On January 28, 2021 team members from Carbert Waite’s Employment Law group hosted a webinar on current employment law issues, focusing on: Top Employment Cases from 2020 Mandatory Vaccinations in the Workplace Bill 47: Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act The webinar was moderated by Dylan Snowdon, who was…
Continue ReadingWhat Is Probate and Do I Need a Probate Lawyer?
October 13, 2020
Author: Eleanor Carlson I have been named executor of an estate in Alberta – What is probate and do I need a probate lawyer? In Alberta, probate is the court processes that prove the validity of a will and provides the power and control to the executor (also known as…
Continue ReadingRule of Convenience
May 11, 2018
Agreeing to take on the role of personal representative (aka an executor) of an estate can be a big decision and in many circumstances, one that should not be taken lightly. This is particularly so as a personal representative has many legal responsibilities with respect to the estate he or…
Continue ReadingEleanor Carlson in Advisor.ca
May 4, 2018
Eleanor Carlson in Advisor.ca Carbert Waite LLP associate Eleanor Carlson was recently quoted about the responsibilities of an executor in an Advisor.ca article on what happens when an estate gets reopened. See the article here.
Continue ReadingEleanor Carlson in Dote Magazine
October 30, 2017
Eleanor Carlson in Dote Magazine Eleanor Carlson, an associate with Carbert Waite LLP, was interviewed by Dote Magazine on the matter of creating wills & estates. See the article here.
Continue ReadingPersonal Injury Law Update: Dismissals for Long Delay (“Drop Dead Rule”)
July 26, 2016
The Alberta Rules of Court require a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit to advance an action towards trial. If a plaintiff does not “significantly advance” the action for three years, the Court must dismiss the action for “long delay” on application by the defendant. This is colloquially known as the…
Continue ReadingA Contract by Any Other Name: Hole v Hole, 2016 ABCA 34 (CanLII)
July 26, 2016
It may be trite to state that contracts are essential to business relations. It is a common perception that the words in a contract are determinative in understanding the parties’ rights and obligations. However, the words in the contract are sometimes just the starting point.
Continue Reading