Alberta GA Forms — Fact‑Pattern Checklist (Self‑Represented Applicants)
Map your facts to the exact GA forms typically required for a non‑contentious Surrogate application. Use with the official Government of Alberta GA PDFs.
A) Core: valid Will, all adult beneficiaries, no caveat Core: Will, adult beneficiaries, no caveat
For instance, Alex dies in Calgary leaving a properly signed Will that names Jamie as executor and leaves the residue to two adult children. No one has filed a caveat. Jamie completes GA1 selecting Probate, lists all estate assets and debts at date of death on GA2, serves each beneficiary with GA3, and then swears a separate GA5 for each person served. Because the Will was witnessed, one witness swears GA8; if it’s a holograph Will or there’s no witness affidavit, use GA9 instead. After the Grant issues, Jamie sends GA7 to those entitled to notice.
· GA1 — Grant Application (select Probate)
· GA2 — Inventory (assets, debts, net at date of death)
· GA3 — Notice to Beneficiaries & Interested Parties (serve all entitled persons)
· GA5 — Affidavit of Service (one per recipient served)
· GA8 — Affidavit of Witness to a Will (or GA9 if holograph/missing witness)
· GA7 — Notice of Grant Issuing (post‑grant)
B) Executor declines or competing priority Executor declines / competing priority
For instance, the Will names Morgan as executor, but Morgan has moved overseas and declines. The alternate executor, Priya, wants to apply. Morgan signs GA11 (Renunciation) to step aside. If the Will named only Morgan and no alternate, Morgan could sign GA13 (Nomination) authorizing Priya to apply. If Morgan is unsure and wants to keep the right to apply later, they could file GA12 (Reservation). If the registry requires a bond, beneficiaries may sign GA14 to waive or reduce it. Priya still files the core GA1/GA2/GA3/GA5 package as in the core scenario.
· GA11 — Renunciation (each person with equal/greater priority stepping aside)
· GA13 — Nomination (priority person nominates the applicant)
· GA12 — Reservation (person keeps right to apply later)
· GA14 — Beneficiary’s Consent to Waive/Reduce Bond (if bonding would otherwise be required)
C) Intestacy (no Will)
For instance, Riley dies in Red Deer without a Will, leaving a spouse and one adult child. The spouse applies using GA1 but selects Administration rather than Probate. GA2 sets out assets and debts. The spouse serves GA3 on the adult child (and anyone else entitled) and files GA5 to prove service. If both spouse and adult child have equal priority and only one will apply, the other signs GA11 (Renunciation) or GA13 (Nomination). If a bond would otherwise be required, consider GA14 to waive or reduce it.
· GA1 — Grant Application (select Administration)
· GA2 — Inventory; GA3 — Notices; GA5 — Proof of service
· GA11/GA13 among equal‑priority applicants (e.g., multiple adult children)
· GA14 — Bond waiver/reduction consents (if applicable)
D) Minor or incapable beneficiary/heir Minors/incapable interests
For instance, Taylor’s Will gives 25% to a grandchild who is 13, or an intestacy leaves a 10‑year‑old with a share. The applicant serves GA4 (Notice to the Public Trustee) because a minor or an incapable person has an interest, and swears GA5 to prove that service. If funds will be held for a minor, additional MP forms (outside the GA set) may be needed once the Grant is issued and money is moving. Core forms (GA1/GA2/GA3/GA5) still apply.
· GA4 — Notice to the Public Trustee (always when minors/incapable persons have an interest)
· GA5 — Affidavit of Service (for GA4)
· If property must be held for a minor, consider MP forms in addition to GA forms (MP1–MP7)
E) Evidence wrinkles Other triggers
For instance, Jordan left a holograph Will written and signed entirely in their own handwriting, with no witnesses. The applicant files GA9 (Affidavit of Handwriting) from someone who knows Jordan’s handwriting, instead of GA8. Or, if the Will is in another language, a qualified translator swears GA10 confirming a true and accurate translation. The rest of the application proceeds with GA1/GA2/GA3/GA5 as usual.
· Holograph Will or no witness affidavit available → GA9 (Handwriting) instead of GA8
· Non‑English Will → GA10 (Translator’s Affidavit)
F) Trusteeship under the Will (post‑grant)
· GA20 — Affidavit of Trustee (status/accounting)
· GA18 — Renunciation of Trusteeship (if a named trustee will not act)
G) Creditor‑notice workflow (optional risk management)
Creditor-notice workflow (optional risk management)
For instance, the estate includes a small business and unknown trade creditors are possible. To manage risk, the executor publishes a GA15 Notice to Creditors & Claimants in a local newspaper (or other acceptable venue), then swears GA16 attaching proof of publication. If any creditor files a claim, that creditor can swear GA17 explaining the amount and basis of the claim; the executor reviews and addresses it before distribution.
· GA15 — Notice to Creditors & Claimants (publication)
· GA16 — Statutory Declaration of Publication (attach proof)
· GA17 — Statutory Declaration by Creditors & Claimants (if claims submitted)
H) After the Grant
For instance, once the Court issues the Grant, the executor circulates GA7 (Notice of Grant Issuing) to those previously served so they have official confirmation and can coordinate with the executor regarding next steps and distribution timing.
· GA7 — Notice of Grant Issuing (send to recipients)
I) Red flags that pause/complicate files
For instance, a sibling filed a caveat yesterday; the registry will halt the application until that dispute is addressed. Or the Will requires a beneficiary to survive by 30 days but GA1 omits that—expect a return for correction unless the Irregularities section explains the variance. If two adult children both have priority and neither provided GA11/GA13, clerks may return the file to resolve priority or obtain the right renunciations/nomination. Always use current GA forms, not legacy NC forms.
· Caveat or competing application on file → process halts until resolved
· Name/AKA mismatches, survivorship clause in Will not mirrored in GA1, missing renunciations
· Explain irregularities clearly in GA1 and attach GA11/GA13/GA4/GA5 as needed
· Always use current GA forms (legacy NC forms are obsolete)