What are Interim Distributions? An interim distribution is a partial distribution of the estate to beneficiaries before administration is finalized. The Essence of Interim Distributions The key to successful interim distributions of estates is balancing competing considerations reasonably. Deciding whether…
How much does Litigation Cost? When you step into a legal battle, you're in for some spending. But how much exactly? Let's dive deep into the world of litigation expenses and see what's driving those costs. We'll also explore how…
Why Do It Yourself Probate is Risky We all want to save money. That is both understandable and prudent for an estate trustee. The key is not 'do I want to save money' but 'what is the best way to…
Bonding Probate Applications Either posting a bond or getting a Court order to dispense with a bond is a fundamental aspect of many probate applications in Ontario. The purposes of bonding estate trustees The purpose of requiring the applicant for…
How to find the Original Will There is no centralized or mandatory registry of Wills in Ontario. Thus, one of the most important early steps in administering an estate is determining whether the deceased made a Will or not. This…
Posting a Surety Bond for Probate Probate is the legal process for getting a Court order appointing you as the 'estate trustee' of the estate of the deceased. Remember, it is extremely important to identify what assets actually "fall into…
What is the Passing of Accounts? A passing of accounts is the formal process of getting a Court to pass the accounts of the estate trustee. A passing of accounts is a particular type of litigation and is governed by…
Jointly Owned Property In Estate Planning Real estate is often the most valuable asset that we own. How we own it is crucial for both estate planning and estate administration. There are three main ways that individuals own real estate…
How do you know when to move forward on probate? Probate is the legal process to get Court approval for the person responsible for administering the estate, known in Ontario as the estate trustee. If there is a will, usually…
The CRA and Clearance Certificates Clearance certificates from CRA are an important but not well-understood aspect of estate administration. A clearance certificate is a formal legal document from the Canada Revenue Agency that confirms that no taxes are due up…