Service Overview
Focused legal support for estate administration (probate)
Following the loss of a loved one, settling legal and financial affairs can feel overwhelming. Estate administration, often referred to as probate, is the legal process of collecting the deceased person’s assets, dealing with debts and taxes, and ultimately distributing the estate according to the will or Ontario intestacy rules.
Our office provides practical guidance to estate trustees and executors through this process so they can understand their obligations and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
What probate means in Ontario
Probate is the court-supervised process through which the Ontario Superior Court of Justice validates the will and confirms the authority of the estate trustee. That authority is usually evidenced through a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee, which third parties such as banks and land registry offices may require before releasing or transferring assets.
When probate may be required
Formal probate is often needed where the deceased:
- Owned real estate in their sole name
- Held bank accounts or investments above an institution’s release threshold
- Owned shares in a private company
- Left a will that may require judicial validation
Common estate administration support
Our office may assist with:
- Identifying and inventorying estate assets and liabilities
- Preparing and filing the probate application
- Calculating estate administration tax and related filings
- Coordinating tax clearance and final returns
- Advising on transfer and distribution of estate assets
- Preparing estate accounts for beneficiaries
Estate trustees carry fiduciary duties and can face personal exposure if the administration is mishandled. We help clients move through the process carefully and with clearer direction.