A Power of Attorney is one of the most important legal documents an Ontario resident can have — and one of the most commonly misunderstood. It is not about hiring a lawyer. It is about choosing a trusted person to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. That person...
What Makes a Will Invalid in Ontario? A will can be challenged or found to be invalid in Ontario where there is a legally recognized problem with how it was created, whether the testator had the legal capacity to make it, whether it truly reflects what the testator freely intended, or whether it meets the...
What Happens if an Executor Doesn’t Do Their Job in Ontario? When someone dies, the executor (known in Ontario as an Estate Trustee) is responsible for administering the estate according to the deceased’s wishes and Ontario law. Beneficiaries often assume the executor has complete control over the estate and can take as long as they...
Can I Write My Own Will in Ontario? What You Need to Know The short answer is yes — you can write your own will in Ontario. Ontario law does not require you to use a lawyer. But “can” and “should” are different questions. A will that is technically permitted but poorly prepared can still...
One of the most misunderstood aspects of estate planning in Ontario is which assets are subject to probate — and which pass directly to beneficiaries without ever touching the Estate Administration Tax. The answer matters for two reasons. First, it affects how much the estate pays in probate fees. Second, it affects which assets your...
If you’ve been named executor of an estate in Ontario, you are probably asking yourself: do I actually need to hire a lawyer for this, or can I handle it myself? The straightforward answer is: you are not legally required to hire a lawyer to apply for probate in Ontario. An executor can prepare and...
Probate Fees in Ontario: What Executors Will Pay in 2025 One of the most common questions executors ask before starting the probate process is: how much is this going to cost? In Ontario, the answer depends largely on the size of the estate — specifically, its value at the date of death. Ontario charges what...
How Long Does Probate Take in Ontario? When a loved one passes away, one of the first questions families ask is: how long will this take? If you are an executor dealing with probate in Ontario, you need a realistic picture of the timeline — because managing an estate while grieving requires knowing what to...
Settling an Estate in Ontario? When a loved one dies, families are suddenly asked to make decisions while navigating unfamiliar legal steps. If you’ve been named executor (legally, an “estate trustee with a will”) or you’re stepping in because there’s no will (often called an “estate trustee without a will”), this guide explains—in clear, practical...
In today’s digital age, individuals maintain dozens—if not hundreds—of online accounts. Yet, the vast majority of Canadians have not accounted for their digital footprint in their estate plans. What happens to your photos on Google Drive? Your PayPal balance? Your cryptocurrency wallet? Without clear legal instructions, families can be locked out of valuable or sentimental...