Planning your estate gives you an opportunity to make your wishes clear and consider the people who depend on you. A will can identify who should receive your property and who you want to administer your estate.
Gurizzan Law helps clients approach wills and estate matters with care and clarity. Whether you are preparing a will, reviewing an existing plan, or dealing with an estate after a death, we can help you understand the steps involved.
A will allows you to specify how your estate should be distributed after your death and name an estate trustee, commonly called an executor, to manage it. It can help clarify your wishes, provide for loved ones and reduce uncertainty for your family.
If you die without a valid will, Ontario’s intestacy laws determine who inherits your estate and in what proportions. These rules may not reflect your wishes. Common-law partners do not automatically inherit under these rules, although other legal rights or claims may apply.
A will takes effect after your death and directs how your estate is managed and distributed. A power of attorney authorizes someone to make certain decisions on your behalf while you are alive. Ontario has separate powers of attorney for property and personal care, and their authority ends when you die.
No. Probate is a court process that confirms an estate trustee’s authority and, where applicable, the validity of a will. Whether it is required depends on the estate’s assets, how they are owned and the requirements of institutions holding them. A lawyer can help determine whether an application is needed.