Lam Legal Trial Lawyers

04/22/2026

A BC court recently ordered an assistant to return $5.1 million after finding undue influence over her boss.

The facts are unusual, but the legal issue is one we see come up in different forms all the time: when does a major transfer stop looking like a true gift and start looking like something the law should unwind?

That question can arise in estate disputes over gifts, joint accounts, or will changes. It can also arise in certain business disputes where one person becomes heavily dependent on another.

We started a discussion on Reddit about the case and what it means:

Explore this post and more from the canadianlaw community

04/15/2026

Our lawyer, Anita Szabo, K.C. answers municipal law questions at the 2026 Local Government Compliance & Enforcement Association (LGCEA) Annual Training Conference in Nanaimo, British Columbia today and tomorrow.

If you have municipal bylaw prosecution or other legal issues related to a city or township, join Ms. Szabo’s Municipal Learning Seminars by reaching out to [email protected] or https://lamlegal.ca/municipal-law/

04/14/2026

If you’ve been left out of a will, you may still have legal options in British Columbia.

Many people don’t realize that biological children can challenge an estate plan that disinherits them—especially if the will isn’t considered fair or adequate under the law.

In this article, we break down:
• When a will can be challenged
• What courts look at in BC estate disputes
• Practical steps if you’ve been disinherited

Estate conflicts are complex, but understanding your rights is the first step.

Read more:

Do you need help challenging a will that disinherits you under WESA? Contact our Vancouver estate litigation lawyers for a free consultation.

04/08/2026

Contract disputes can drain time, cash, and focus—especially when you’re trying to run a business. If you’re dealing with a breach of contract (or want to prevent one), here are practical steps that can protect you in BC:

- Write contracts in plain, precise language (define key terms)

- Add dispute-resolution clauses (mediation/arbitration + BC governing law/jurisdiction)

- If a dispute starts: preserve evidence—contract, amendments, emails, meeting notes, timelines

- Negotiate with a plan (objectives + bottom line + document offers)

- Consider mediation or arbitration to resolve efficiently

- Prevent repeat issues with regular contract reviews and better communication

We wrote a clear guide for Vancouver/BC businesses on how to reduce risk, respond strategically, and protect your position. Read it here:

How can businesses defend themselves in contract disputes? Discover effective strategies and consult a lawyer for personalized guidance.

04/08/2026

When the stakes are high, the right legal strategy matters.

03/30/2026

Contract disputes can drain time, cash, and focus—especially when you’re trying to run a business. If you’re dealing with a breach of contract (or want to prevent one), here are practical steps that can protect you in BC:

- Write contracts in plain, precise language (define key terms) 

- Add dispute-resolution clauses (mediation/arbitration + BC governing law/jurisdiction) 

- If a dispute starts: preserve evidence—contract, amendments, emails, meeting notes, timelines 

- Negotiate with a plan (objectives + bottom line + document offers) 

- Consider mediation or arbitration to resolve efficiently 

- Prevent repeat issues with regular contract reviews and better communication 

We wrote a clear guide for Vancouver/BC businesses on how to reduce risk, respond strategically, and protect your position. Read it here:

How can businesses defend themselves in contract disputes? Discover effective strategies and consult a lawyer for personalized guidance.

03/13/2026

A major shift is coming to construction law in British Columbia.

The Construction Prompt Payment Act will introduce strict payment timelines and fast dispute resolution once it comes into force.

For contractors, developers, and trades, this could significantly change how payment disputes are handled.

Understanding the new system now can help businesses avoid costly disputes later.

Swipe through to learn how the new law will work.

03/12/2026

A major shift is coming to construction law in British Columbia.

The Construction Prompt Payment Act will introduce strict payment timelines and fast dispute resolution once it comes into force.

For contractors, developers, and trades, this could significantly change how payment disputes are handled.

Understanding the new system now can help businesses avoid costly disputes later.

Swipe through to learn how the new law will work.

03/05/2026

BC Court overturns will in $5M estate dispute

A recent BC Court of Appeal case shows how carefully courts examine wills when there are concerns about how they were prepared.

In Kroeger v. Bush Estate, a woman’s estate (worth about $5 million) was originally meant to be divided equally among 18 nieces and nephews.

But a later will dramatically changed that:

• Most beneficiaries received $5,000
• One niece (who held power of attorney) and her siblings received the remaining estate — about $1.2 million each. 

The Court of Appeal found there were “suspicious circumstances,” including the beneficiary’s involvement in preparing the will and the lack of evidence the deceased understood the magnitude of the estate.

Because of that, the Court ruled the later will was not valid, and the estate will instead be distributed under the earlier will. 

Cases like this show how estate disputes can arise when there are questions about how a will was prepared, whether the will-maker understood its contents, or whether suspicious circumstances were present.

What do you think — should courts scrutinize situations like this more closely when a beneficiary is involved in preparing a will?

02/24/2026

Have you been waiting to collect on a debt? There are limitation periods at play and you can’t wait too long. The debtor’s excuses, making your business wait, can make your debt uncollectable. Take a look at our new video on limitation issues related to uncollected debts.

02/22/2026

Bumped into the amazing Cynthia Lam at GBC Law, who runs a solicitor’s practice a seat away at the Nimesh Patel show.

We can’t do it all as a litigation-focused firm, so we’re happy to refer to Cynthia when our clients need that support.