Help Christie and her sons navigate an estate battle

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

My name is Christie Hayes and I find myself and my children, Austin Seich-Hayes and Tristan Hayes-Thorne in a difficult situation that I never anticipated following the passing of my beloved parents, Vant and Ethel Hayes of Breton, Alberta. Both were well known in Breton and Drayton Valley Areas, with their trout farm (Mountain View) and Vant was instrumental in keeping Black History alive, not only in the Breton (Keystone Area) but in the province of Alberta.

All thee of us have very strong ties to the Breton. I am the youngest daughter of Vant and Ethel, while Austin is part of the Staudt Family, with his great-grandparents being Harry and Kathleen Staudt of Breton.

We are faced with a challenging legal battle over my parents estate, as other parties involved are trying to get my name off of title of the farm, which Vant and Ethel owned. This has not only been an emotional rollercoaster, but it has also placed an immense financial burden on me and my family as I work to secure what was my parents wishes. This battle started in 2023 and still continues. There was multiple will changes done to my dad’s estate documents before his passing, all which lined up with myself, multiple other family members and family friends having concerns about his state of mind, there has been impersonation of my father before and after his passing and a pantheon of other legal issues. My mom Ethel, told me to never remove my name from title of the farm, even once she came to live with us in Innisfail, Alberta, after my father’s passing.

We are determined to honour my parent’s wishes and ensure that their legacy is preserved, as they instructed me to do from the time I was about 9 years old. This means the farm, which I sit on title of. My parents added me to title in 2022. However, navigating the complexities of estate law has proven to be more challenging than I could have imagined. The legal fees associated with this fight are mounting, and are reaching out for your support to help cover these expenses.

The funds raised through this campaign will go directly towards legal expenses. The lawyers that I have been working with specializes in estate disputes and are currently guiding us through this process. I want to ensure that my parents’ wishes are respected and that we can honour their memory without the overwhelming stress of financial strain. Should there be funds leftover, said funds will be donated equally to The Vant Hayes Memorial Scholarship Fund and local animal shelters in the Breton and Central Alberta Area.

Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in our ability to navigate this difficult time. Your support means the world to me, and I am incredibly grateful for any help you can provide, whether it’s a donation or simply sharing my story with others.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Your kindness and generosity will help us find peace of mind during this challenging chapter of our lives.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Christie Hayes, Austin Seich-Hayes and Tristan Hayes-Thorne