Craig Vander Zee

Craig is a partner in the Trusts & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution Groups at Torkin Manes LLP and is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Estates and Trusts Law. His practice includes all aspects of estate, trust, capacity, fiduciary and power of attorney disputes and litigation for clients consisting of individuals, trust companies, government agencies and other organizations.

He provides counsel on, amongst other things, the rights and obligations of estate trustees, estate trustees during litigation, trustees, attorneys for property or care, and guardians, and the rights and entitlements of beneficiaries. His extensive experience includes matters involving powers of attorney, estate administration, probate applications, passing of accounts, the appointment or removal of estate trustees, trustees or guardians, the validity or interpretation of wills, capacity, undue influence, guardianship, estate or trust claims, breaches of trust, claims against an estate including dependant support claims, minors and the incapable.

Craig is also a very experienced Estate Mediator.

He is a past Chair of the Trusts and Estates Section of the Ontario Bar Association and a past member of the Executive (Toronto Branch) of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). He was also a member of the Advisory Group for the Law Commission of Ontario Project on the Law as it Affects Older Adults.

Craig has represented clients before all levels of Court in Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada, the trial and appellate Courts of Alberta and various tribunals and boards.

In addition to his ranking in Chambers High Net Worth (in the area of Private Wealth Disputes), Canada (Band 1), Craig is also ranked in Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and The Best Lawyers in Canada (in the area of Trusts and Estates).