The Department of Justice is making it easier for legal professionals to conduct estate searches. Beginning July 18, 2016, lawyers, their assistants, and paralegals will be able to remotely access the Estate Management System.
Previously, these documents were only available at probate offices around the province, requiring them to be physically retrieved. The initial access of this system will make available many actual filed estate documents, including wills. While all new estates are being added to the system, scanning and uploading of older documents is ongoing.
Legal professionals wishing to access this data can contact the Department of Justice at EMAOnline@novascotia.ca. You will be asked to review and sign a user agreement and submit payment of an annual fee of $100.00; a user ID and password will then be provided.