One of the most frequent and emotional questions we hear from beneficiaries is this: how long does the executor have to distribute the estate. Some people are waiting for financial stability. Others are waiting for closure. Executors meanwhile are often just trying to...
When a person prepares a will, they usually name an executor who will manage their estate. Often the will also names an alternate executor in case the first one cannot or does not want to act. But many families face a different situation. Sometimes a will says nothing...
Joint accounts are often set up with good intentions. A parent wants to make life easier for an adult child. A spouse wants to simplify access to money. Someone experiencing declining health wants help paying bills. At first glance, adding another person to a bank...
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...
When a person dies without a will, they are said to have died intestate. Without a will, there is no executor named to handle the estate. Yet, someone still needs legal authority to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute what remains to the rightful heirs. In...
Probate a Lost or Missing Will in Ontario When someone passes away, families often look to the will for guidance. But what happens if the will is missing, destroyed, or cannot be found? In Ontario, it is still possible to probate a lost will, but the process...
