Wills & Estates
- Wills
- Powers of Attorney
- Corporate Wills
- Living Wills
- Mutual Wills
- Estates
- Estate Litigation
- Rates & Fees
Wills
Initial meeting with you for your instructions, which may include the review of existing wills, providing legal advice and answering questions. Preparation of will and a second meeting with you to review and execute it. Preparation of the affidavits of execution and attending to having them signed and commissioned.
Additional appointments and fees may be necessary for complex wills and/or trust agreements that may be advisable for your particular situation.
Many people have the Will, Powers of Attorney and Living Will done at the same time.
Powers of Attorney
Initial meeting with you to obtain your instructions, provide legal advice and answer questions. The Power of Attorney for Property (sometimes called the financial power of attorney) and the Power of Attorney for Personal Care (sometimes called the health care power of attorney) are discussed and prepared. A second meting with you to review and execute these documents. Preparation of affidavits of execution and attending to have them signed and commissioned.
Corporate Wills
A Corporate Will is a separate Will which deals only with the transfer of the shares, assets, payments of debts, etc. of a personal corporation. It permits the seamless transition of control and smooth operation of a company following the death of the owner. The owner's estate may save substantial monies as a result of having a separate Corporate Will as "probate" fees will not have to be paid with respect to the value of the corporation. The shares are simply transferred by the Estate Trustee to the beneficiary of beneficiaries named in the Will. There is no need to value the company for probate purposes which could involve significant expense and delay.
Living Wills
Instructions to family and physicians regarding your decisions for final care.
Mutual Wills
These wills are usually done for two people giving instructions that cannot be changed without the written consent of the other person.
Estates
After someone dies, the estate needs to be administered, whether or not the deceased person had a Will. Meeting with the person, who is being appointed the Estate Trustee (formerly called executor) in order to determine what needs to be done to administer the estate, including applying for the Government to probate (prove) the will and giving the Estate Trustee the authority to act. Providing legal advice and answering questions on the estate administration including the duties of the estate trustee; gathering and collapsing assets, both those inside and outside the jurisdiction of the will, payment of liabilities and bequests, communicating and obtaining releases from the beneficiaries, as well as preparation of estate trustee accounting if required.
Estate Litigation
Representing your interests in connection with an estate, either as beneficiary, estate trustee, or potential beneficiary advising you about your rights under the laws of Ontario that govern the administration of estates, including the Succession Law Reform Act, The Estates Act, The Trustees Act, and the Family Law Act. Negotiating your position and working with you to obtain the best settlement possible.
Rates and Fees
Please see the page with our Rates and Fees on this site.