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...
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)...
Acting as an estate trustee is a serious responsibility – and Ontario courts are increasingly willing to hold trustees personally accountable when they fail to uphold their fiduciary duties. In some cases, trustees have been removed from their role or ordered to...
Safeguarding Digital Legacies: Protecting and Managing Digital Assets in Ontario Estate Planning In today’s digital age, our lives are increasingly entwined with technology. From social media accounts to online banking, digital assets have become an integral...
When a person dies without a Will, called “intestate”, the Ontario Succession Law Reform Act sets out how the deceased’s estate is distributed. Legally Married? Common law spouses do not apply If you are legally married and do not have any children, your spouse is...
