Many families are surprised to learn that a document that does not meet Ontario’s formal will requirements may still be recognized by the courts. This issue often arises when a loved one passes away leaving behind an unsigned draft, a handwritten note, or even an...
Few legal disputes are as personal and emotional as challenging a will. Contesting a will in Ontario can affect family relationships, financial legacies, and the administration of an estate. Understanding when and how a will can be challenged helps set...
Appointed to manage the estate of a loved one, an executor in Ontario has both authority and legal duty — and with that comes potential risk. Acting without proper guidance can expose an executor to delays, disputes, or even personal liability. At Kimel Law Group, we...
In contested estate matters, time doesn’t stand still just because a legal dispute is unfolding. Assets may need protection, bills must be paid, tax filings are due — yet no one may have legal authority to act. That’s where an Estate Trustee During Litigation (ETDL)...
In Ontario estate litigation, one of the most contentious issues beneficiaries face is what to do with real estate held in the estate — particularly when they don’t agree. Whether it’s the family home, a cottage, or an investment property, conflicts often arise when...
Administering an estate isn’t a suggestion — it’s a legal obligation. And when a trustee fails to fulfill that obligation, the court has no issue stepping in. The Ontario Superior Court’s decision in Hockney v. Kneeland, 2025 ONSC 1309, makes it clear: executors who...
