When you think of what will happen to your assets and belongings after you die, you may have in mind a particular person who is very fond of a special heirloom, or grandchildren you want to reward for completing their education. Perhaps you expect to leave a little...
Estate Administration
Small mistakes on probate applications add months to wait
The probate process in Ontario is typically long, sometimes taking as long as a year. Often, much of that time involves waiting for the administrative offices of the estate court to catch up on its paperwork. In fact, many families are increasingly frustrated when...
Spare your loved ones from litigation to obtain digital assets
Thirty years ago, many people did not expect so much of their lives would be bound to the digital world. Nevertheless, countless people now store their photos, investments, bank information and other personal information online. When they pass away, it often causes...
Estate plans and the financial fallout of current events
2020 has been a challenging year in many ways. In addition to everything else, large numbers of people have sustained financial losses from which they may never recover.Something you may need to consider is that your estate plan requires changes to keep up with the...
Is a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee always needed?
When a loved one passes away, they ordinarily leave behind assets, debts and other property that need to be distributed, disposed of or otherwise handled. Probate may be necessary in order to accomplish these and other tasks, which requires a Certificate of...
Without a will, estate administration could get complicated
Some people don't think they have enough assets to have to worry about a will. Others simply never get around to creating one. Whatever the case, matters can quickly become complicated if you pass away without a valid will.In such cases, Ontario intestacy rules will...
An outdated will can present challenges in estate administration
Being an executor or power of attorney often comes with its challenges. Outdated estate plans can make the process particularly tricky, in part because the wishes outlined in the legal documents may not align with what the deceased communicated to...
What does estate planning have to do with your business?
Running a successful business takes a great deal of commitment and work. If you are one of the lucky ones whose business has withstood the test of time, you more than likely want to make sure that it outlasts you. Perhaps you made arrangements within the company to...
Understanding the differences between probate and trust administration
When an individual dies, probate is the court process through which the decedent's estate's execution begins. However, if the individual has chosen to use a trust as part of his or her estate plans, trust administration may also take place alongside the...
Preparing real estate investments for estate administration
Major purchases, such as real estate, have many implications on the buyer's finances and lifestyle. These implications continue even after the owner passes away, as real estate investments must be considered as part of the estate planning and estate administration...