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Estate Planning And Probate Lawyers in Nanaimo, BC: 2026 rankings

8 estate planning and probate lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Nanaimo: Althouse Notary Corp, LFR Score 58/100; 4.8★ from 99 Google reviews.

  2. 2

    Most-reviewed: Warsh Law, 64 Google reviews at 4.4★, the most of 8 ranked after Althouse Notary Corp; ranked #2.

Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

8 Nanaimo estate planning and probate lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. The median Google rating is 4.5★ across 8 rated law firms.

Top 8 estate planning and probate lawyers in Nanaimo at a glance

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

Top 8 estate planning and probate lawyers in Nanaimo at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inNotable for
1Althouse Notary Corp584.8★ (99)NanaimoTop score
2Warsh Law564.4★ (64)NanaimoMost reviews
3Krog & Company Lawyers544.3★ (32)Nanaimo—
4Johnston Franklin Bishop534.5★ (23)Nanaimo—
5Strain & Co524.3★ (23)Nanaimo—
6Mid Island Law525.0★ (10)Nanaimo—
7Merrill, Long and Co.494.0★ (4)Nanaimo—
8Thomas & Co445.0★ (3)Parksville, 32 km away—

All 8 estate planning and probate lawyers in Nanaimo, in rank order

Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

Scores below: based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.

  1. Ranked #1 in Nanaimo

    #1 Althouse Notary Corp

    Based in Nanaimo

    58/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 99 Google reviews, the most in Nanaimo.

    • 4.8★ from 99 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Tue 9 AM–5 PM · Wed closed · Thu–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    2133 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H8
    View profile for Althouse Notary Corp(250) 754-1363

  2. #2 Warsh Law

    Based in Nanaimo

    56/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.4★ from 64 Google reviews.

    • 4.4★ from 64 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    335 Wesley St #109, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T5
    View profile for Warsh Law(250) 741-0003

  5. #5 Strain & Co

    Based in Nanaimo

    52/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 23 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

    • 4.3★ from 23 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon closed · Tue 10 AM–4 PM · Wed closed · Thu–Fri 10 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    75 Front St Unit 103, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H9
    View profile for Strain & Co(250) 753-0860

  6. #6 Mid Island Law

    Based in Nanaimo

    52/100LFR Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.

    • 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1611 Bowen Rd #3, Nanaimo, BC V9S 1G5
    View profile for Mid Island Law(236) 239-6773

  7. #7 Merrill, Long and Co.

    Based in Nanaimo

    49/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Civil law attorney”.

    • 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    201 Milton St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2K5
    View profile for Merrill, Long and Co.(250) 754-4441

  8. #8 Thomas & Co

    Based in Parksville, 32 km away

    44/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    162 Harrison Ave, Parksville, BC V9P 2H6
    View profile for Thomas & Co(250) 954-3554

How we ranked Nanaimo estate planning and probate lawyers

We scored 8 Nanaimo estate planning and probate lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

LFR Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Nanaimo data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Bar status10%An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded)Not yet collected
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the listMeasured
Recency10%Share of reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability5%Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7Measured
Practice focus15%How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity5%An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same)Measured
Law Firms Ranked reviews10%Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there areMeasured

How to choose an estate planning lawyer

  1. Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
  2. Ask how many estate planning and probate matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
  3. Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
  4. Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
  5. Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
  6. Ask what the flat fee includes: funding a trust, updates after life changes, and signing with witnesses.
  7. Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.

Questions to ask an estate planning lawyer

  • How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
  • How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
  • Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
  • Do I need a trust, or is a will enough for me?
  • What does probate usually cost here, and how long does it take?
  • Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?

Terms explained

Contingency fee
A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
Retainer
Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
Flat fee
One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
Limited-scope representation
Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
Statute of limitations
The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
Good standing
A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
Law society
The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
Board certification
Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
Attorney–client privilege
The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
Conflict check
The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
Pro bono
Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Legal aid
Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.

Estate planning and probate lawyers in Nanaimo: frequently asked questions

Which estate planning lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Nanaimo?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked estate planning lawyer in Nanaimo, BC is Althouse Notary Corp with an LFR Score of 58/100. It has 4.8★ from 99 Google reviews. Warsh Law (#2) and Krog & Company Lawyers (#3) follow. We ranked 8 estate planning and probate lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many estate planning and probate lawyers are there in Nanaimo?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 8 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Nanaimo, BC. 7 of them are based in Nanaimo; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.

What Google rating do Nanaimo estate planning and probate lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 8 rated estate planning and probate lawyers in Nanaimo is 4.5★, with a median of 23 reviews. Althouse Notary Corp has the most, 99 reviews, and ranks #1. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does LawFirmsRanked rank estate planning and probate lawyers?

Each estate planning lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do estate planning and probate lawyers outside Nanaimo count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 40 km of the Nanaimo city centre, our service radius for estate planning and probate lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.

Can estate planning and probate lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?

No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.

How do estate planning and probate lawyers in Nanaimo, BC charge?

Wills and powers of attorney are often a flat fee; estate administration is billed hourly or as a percentage the court may review. Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.

What happens if someone dies without a will?

Provincial law decides who inherits, usually the spouse and children in set shares, and a court appoints an administrator. A will lets you decide instead. This is general information, not legal advice.

How is this list of estate planning and probate lawyers in Nanaimo, BC ranked?

By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.

Does a lawyer need an office in Nanaimo?

No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your province (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some province). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.

Update log for Nanaimo

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 8 estate planning and probate lawyers serving Nanaimo.

More estate planning and probate lawyers and Nanaimo pages