Practice 07
Wills & Estates
Thoughtful legal guidance in wills, powers of attorney, estate planning, probate applications, and estate administration, helping you protect your legacy, navigate important responsibilities, and provide peace of mind for those who matter most.
What we handle
What this can include
- Wills
- Powers of attorney
- Estate planning
- Estate administration and probate
- Survivorship applications
Overview
Estate planning is about more than preparing documents. It is about making thoughtful decisions about your future, your family, and the way your affairs will be managed when you are no longer able to manage them yourself.
Whether you are putting a plan in place for the years ahead or helping administer the estate of someone close to you, we provide clear, practical legal guidance at every stage. We take the time to understand your circumstances and explain what your documents mean, what decisions need to be made, and what may need to happen next.
A will can set out how you wish your estate to be distributed and who you want to take on important responsibilities. Powers of attorney can address who may make financial or personal care decisions on your behalf during your lifetime. Together with broader estate planning, these documents can help create greater clarity for you and those who may be called upon to act for you.
When a loved one passes away, administering an estate can bring a different set of responsibilities. We assist executors and estate trustees with the legal steps involved, from probate and dealing with estate assets and liabilities to the eventual distribution of the estate, depending on the circumstances.
Sending a message does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Please avoid sensitive details until we confirm we can act for you. Information on this site is general, not legal advice.
Questions
Wills & Estates, answered.
- Do I need a will if my estate is relatively simple?
- A will can be useful regardless of the size of your estate. It allows you to set out how you want your estate to be distributed and who you wish to appoint to administer it. Without a will, the distribution of your estate and the administration of your estate are generally governed by Ontario law, which may not reflect your wishes. If you are unsure whether you need a will or what should be included, we can discuss your circumstances and the options available to you.
- What is a Power of Attorney?
- A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to give another person authority to make certain decisions on your behalf while you are alive. A Power of Attorney for Property generally concerns financial and property matters, while a Power of Attorney for Personal Care concerns personal care decisions. The appropriate documents and provisions depend on your circumstances.
- I have been named an executor. What should I do first?
- Administering an estate can involve a number of legal and practical steps. The appropriate starting point will depend on the circumstances of the estate, the terms of the will, and the assets and liabilities involved. We can assist executors and estate trustees in understanding their responsibilities and the steps that may be required.
- What is probate, and is it always required?
- Probate is the court process through which an estate trustee may obtain a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee. Whether an application is necessary depends on the circumstances of the estate and the assets involved. We can advise you on whether an application may be required and assist with the process where appropriate.
- Can you help with an estate after someone has passed away?
- Yes. We assist with estate administration and can advise on matters such as probate, estate assets and liabilities, required documentation, and distribution of the estate, depending on the circumstances.
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