Practices

Protect Your Family’s Security with Wills & Estate Planning

Practicing Lawyers:

Kenneth R. Watson

The importance of having an estate plan cannot be overemphasized. It is one of the most significant means you have of protecting your loved ones and easing a difficult time for them. Our lawyers have the experience necessary to create a plan that ensures that your wishes regarding your estate are clear and will be followed. Having an estate plan in place ensures a smooth transition of your assets.

Our estate planning and administration services include the following:

• Wills to ensure that your estate is not distributed according to statute law but is instead dealt with in accordance with your wishes
• Trusts to allow you, either during your lifetime or upon your death, to conserve your assets to benefit designated persons and minimize taxes
• Powers of attorney to authorize trusted others to conduct your financial affairs at the times and in the circumstances you direct
• Working with your accountant and financial advisors to ensure that all tax issues are taken into consideration
• Acting for executors and administrators in estates to obtain probate or administration and fulfill their duties to beneficiaries, creditors and the court

Please contact our office for more information or to book a confidential consultation.

Civil & Commercial Litigation Services in the Kootenays

Practicing Lawyers:

Kenneth R. Watson, Matthew Scheffelmaier, and Peter Beug

We are aware that legal disputes can be stressful and unpredictable and our goal is to achieve a timely and cost-effective resolution whenever possible. Our civil litigation lawyers have the experience to step in and protect our clients’ interests.

Litigation can be a lengthy and costly endeavor. We will advise you of the options that are available to you and assist you to determine a strategy that meets your needs. Once a strategy is in place, we work hard to achieve the desired outcome. We strive to resolve cases through negotiation or mediation in appropriate circumstances. Our experience helps us to judge when to litigate and when to settle. In determining whether to litigate, we work with you to determine if the possible gain outweighs the risks and costs of court proceedings.

Please contact our office for more information or to book a confidential consultation.

Criminal Law and Private Prosecution Services in Kootenays

Extensive Experience in all types of Criminal Law and Private Prosecutions

Practicing Lawyers:

Mason Goulden

Being charged with a criminal offence can lead to serious and long-lasting consequences for a person’s freedom, financial security and personal life. Given the complexity of the criminal justice system, having legal counsel with knowledge of the court process, legal defences, and sentencing is most often the best way to avoid or minimize those consequences.

Watson & Company has legal counsel with extensive experience negotiating resolutions with the Crown and appearing in the Provincial Court, the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the British Columbia Court of Appeal. We provide effective representation in all types of Criminal Code Offenses including:

• Assaults and Sexual Assaults 
• Domestic Violence 
• Homicide 
• Impaired Driving 
• Driving offences 
• Fraud
• Theft 
• Violent offences
• Uttering Threats

If you choose to have us represent you, we will do our utmost to limit the amount of stress and anxiety you may face in the court system, or throughout negotiations, by keeping you informed about your case. We will always work tirelessly to get the best results for our clients in their particular circumstances while holding their information in strict confidence.

Private Prosecutions:

In addition to effectively defending people charged with criminal offences, our lawyers are also experienced in commencing and conducting private prosecutions. We understand that law enforcement agencies often refuse to become involved in matters that they view as being “civil” or “family” matters, even when a criminal act has taken place. We also understand the significant fear and uncertainty that a victim of crime experiences knowing that the perpetrator will not be brought before the court to answer for their actions. Private prosecutions provide recourse for having criminal charges sworn against a person who has committed a criminal offence when the police or RCMP refuse or fail to take action to keep the peace and protect our clients’ safety.

Watson & Company has experienced and knowledgeable legal counsel who are able to assist you in determining whether you have sufficient grounds to bring forward a private prosecution, and if so, we can assist you by applying to the court to have charges laid against the perpetrator of a crime.

Please contact our office for more information or to book a confidential consultation.

Buy or Sell Your Property with Help from a Real Estate Lawyer

Practicing Lawyers:

Kenneth R. Watson and Matthew Scheffelmaier

Residential Property Transactions

There are many things to consider when buying or selling a home. Our real estate lawyers have the necessary experience to guide you through the details of buying, selling or refinancing your property. We represent and advise purchasers, sellers and investors with their transactions including the following:

• Residential purchases and sales
• Condominium purchases and sales
• Leases and related transactions
• Mortgage financing
• New home construction
• Refinancing

Commercial Property Transactions

Our real estate lawyers work hard to close your deal in a manner that is best for your circumstances. We have represented a broad range of clients in the negotiation and completion of many commercial real estate transactions, including the purchase or sale of office buildings, apartment buildings, hotels, and industrial properties.

We will assist you in all of these matters:

• Commercial purchases and sales
• Commercial financing and mortgages
• Commercial leasing
• Construction financing
• Land development
• Condominium developments

Our experience and resources ensure that we are able to competently represent clients with virtually any type of transaction or financing, including negotiating and drafting purchase agreements, drafting a lease, or structuring a joint venture or limited partnership.

Real Estate Development

Our real estate lawyers have experience in a wide range of legal services for development related matters including:

• Preliminary layout approvals
• Real estate disclosure statements
• Joint venture agreements
• Subdivision and rezoning applications
• Easements, covenants and statutory rights of way
• Fee simple and strata lot developments

Our office works with other professionals including surveyors and engineers, as well as municipal, regional and provincial authorities. We represent clients including developers, builders, investors and landlords. Our experience has given us the knowledge required to assist our clients through all phases of development projects including planning, approvals, disclosure, construction, and completion.

Please contact our office for more information or to book a confidential consultation.

Knowledgeable Lawyers to Handle Your Separation, Divorce and Family Legal Matters

Practicing Lawyers:

Alan Perello and Peter Beug

Families often require an objective and professional perspective to help resolve disputes that arise. We are committed to providing such a perspective to ensure a workable resolution and a healthy family life after separation.

We provide a range of family law services and practical experience in dealing with family issues, including:

• Child support
• Spousal support
• Guardianship and parenting time
• Division of property
• Divorce
• Enforcement of court orders and judgments
• Marriage, cohabitation and separation agreements

We understand that in difficult times clients need a lawyer who listens and understands their individual situation. We endeavor to resolve disputes by way of negotiations. If this cannot be accomplished, we will pursue remedies in court.

Please contact our office for more information or to book a confidential consultation.