Service Overview
Focused legal support for wills
A will is a legal document that sets out how a person’s estate, including assets, property, and personal belongings, should be handled after death. It also allows the testator to appoint an executor and identify the beneficiaries who should inherit from the estate.
If a person dies without a will, the estate is generally dealt with under Ontario’s intestacy rules. That can create delay, added expense, and results that may not reflect the person’s actual wishes.
Why a will matters
A properly prepared will can help with:
- Giving you control over who receives your assets and in what shares
- Appointing an executor to manage the estate and carry out the terms of the will
- Naming a guardian for minor children
- Reducing the chance of disputes among family members
- Avoiding unintended results under Ontario’s intestacy rules
Common planning points when preparing a will
Preparing a will often involves reviewing your assets, liabilities, intended beneficiaries, and the people you want to trust with important responsibilities. That may include:
- Choosing primary and alternate beneficiaries
- Appointing an executor and alternate executor
- Considering guardianship arrangements for minor children
- Reviewing major assets such as real estate, investments, business interests, and personal property
- Updating prior wills where circumstances have changed
Formal and holograph wills
In Ontario, wills are commonly prepared as formal wills signed before two witnesses. Handwritten holograph wills may also be recognized in some situations, but they can create avoidable risk if the wording is unclear or the document is not prepared properly.
Our office helps clients prepare wills with attention to clarity, legal validity, and the practical issues that may affect the administration of the estate later.