Estate Law Blog - Expert Insights for Ontario

Jul 18

CRA Clearance Certificates: Why Ontario Executors Shouldn't Distribute Without One

A CRA clearance certificate protects Ontario executors from personal tax liability. Learn what it is, when to apply with form TX19, and how to use holdbacks.

8 min read

Jul 9

Removing or Replacing an Executor in Ontario: A Beneficiary's Guide

Is your estate's executor not doing their job? A beneficiary's guide to removing or replacing an executor in Ontario - the grounds, the steps, and the costs.

7 min read

Jun 30

Distributing an Estate in Ontario: Interim Payments, Final Distribution, and Releases

Distributing an estate in Ontario: interim vs final payments, the 6-month dependant window, CRA clearance, releases, holdbacks, plus a clear worked example.

7 min read

Jun 16

Can You Say No to Being an Executor in Ontario? Renouncing and Stepping Down

Can you say no to being an executor in Ontario? Yes. Learn how to renounce before you start, what intermeddling means, and how to step down after you begin.

7 min read

Jun 2

Small Estate Probate in Ontario: The Simplified Process for Estates of $150,000 or Less

A plain-English guide to Ontario's small estate process for estates of $150,000 or less: what qualifies, the Small Estate Certificate, fees, and the steps.

8 min read

May 19

Taxes at Death in Ontario: Capital Gains, RRSPs, and the Deemed Disposition Explained

Taxes at death in Ontario explained simply: no inheritance tax, the deemed disposition, capital gains, the principal residence exemption and RRSP rollovers.

8 min read

Apr 28

Dependant Support Claims in Ontario: What Happens When Family Is Left Out

Left out of a will in Ontario, or a common-law partner facing no inheritance? Learn how dependant support claims work, who qualifies, and the 6-month deadline.

7 min read

Apr 7

Paying Debts and Notifying Creditors of an Estate in Ontario

Paying estate debts in Ontario: why to pay before distributing, how to notify creditors, the order of payment, insolvent estates, and a worked example.

7 min read

Mar 17

Can an Executor Be Held Personally Liable in Ontario? How to Protect Yourself

Can an executor be held personally liable in Ontario? Yes, in specific cases. Learn the risks and a practical checklist to protect yourself as estate trustee.

7 min read

Feb 24

How to Apply for Probate in Ontario: A Step-by-Step Guide

A clear, step-by-step guide to applying for probate in Ontario: gathering documents, completing the forms, paying Estate Administration Tax, and filing.

8 min read

Feb 3

How to Reduce Probate Fees in Ontario: Legal Strategies That Actually Work

Reduce probate fees in Ontario the legal way: beneficiary designations, joint ownership, multiple wills, gifting and insurance - plus the real risks to avoid.

8 min read

Jan 13

Undue Influence and Will Challenges in Ontario: What You Need to Know

Worried a loved one's will was changed under pressure? Learn what undue influence means in Ontario, the red flags, who must prove it, and what evidence helps.

7 min read

Dec 9

Opening and Managing an Estate Bank Account in Ontario

Learn how to open and manage an estate bank account in Ontario: what the bank needs, what flows through it, record-keeping tips, and a worked example.

7 min read

Nov 18

Executor Compensation in Ontario: How Much Do Executors Get Paid?

How much do executors get paid in Ontario? Learn the roughly 2.5% x 4 compensation guideline, the 'about 5%' rule of thumb, and the five factors courts use.

7 min read

Oct 28

How Long Does Probate Take in Ontario? Timelines and What Causes Delays

Honest probate timelines for Ontario: how long document prep and court processing really take, what causes delays, and practical tips to speed things up.

8 min read

Oct 7

The Final Tax Return in Ontario: An Executor's Guide to the Terminal Return

The terminal T1 return in Ontario explained for executors: who files it, the filing deadline, what income and the deemed disposition go on it, plus clearance.

8 min read

Sep 16

How to Contest a Will in Ontario: Grounds, Process, and Time Limits

Thinking of contesting a will in Ontario? Learn who can challenge a will, the legal grounds, how the process starts, who must prove what, and the time limits.

8 min read

Aug 27

How to Value an Estate in Ontario: Listing Assets, Debts, and the Estate Inventory

How to value an estate in Ontario: build a date-of-death inventory of assets and debts, see what counts for probate fees, and follow a clear worked example.

7 min read

Aug 6

Just Named an Executor in Ontario? Your First 10 Steps

Just named an executor in Ontario? You can handle it gradually, not all at once. These are the first 10 practical steps for a new estate trustee, plus a realistic timeline.

7 min read

Jul 15

When Is Probate Required in Ontario? (And When You Can Skip It)

A plain-English guide to when probate is required in Ontario, which assets need it, which ones skip it, and how to find out for your own family situation.

8 min read

Probate Costs

Jan 11

Ontario Probate Fees Calculator 2025 - Calculate Your Costs

Calculate Ontario probate fees (estate administration tax) with our interactive calculator. Learn about costs, exemptions, and ways to minimize probate fees.

6 min read

Jan 10

Executor Responsibilities in Ontario: Your Complete Checklist

Being named as an executor in Ontario? Learn your legal duties, responsibilities, and step-by-step guide to properly administering an estate.

12 min read