ADMINISTERING
YOUR ESTATE

Estate administration is the legal process of managing a deceased person’s estate, ensuring their wishes are respected and any outstanding obligations are fulfilled.

This includes paying debts, settling taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. The process can be complex, especially when large or complicated estates are involved. Proper administration helps protect the executor from potential legal issues and ensures the estate is settled in a clear and organized manner.

Comprehensive Estate Administration Services

01
Initial Estate Consultation and
Administration Guidance

The process begins with an initial consultation to review the Will, estate assets, beneficiaries, and the appropriate next steps for the administration. We tailor our involvement to the level of assistance you require, whether that includes managing estate trust funds, coordinating with professionals such as accountants, realtors, appraisers, and estate account preparers, or communicating with beneficiaries throughout the administration process.

02
Certificate of Appointment (COA)/ Probate

We guide Estate Trustees through the Certificate of Appointment process until they are legally authorized to collect, manage, and transfer estate assets. Our experienced estate administration team works to move applications into the court “queue” as quickly as possible while minimizing deficiencies and delays. Although Ontario Certificate of Appointment applications are frequently rejected due to technical errors, our systems and experience have reduced our rejection rate to almost zero, helping estates move forward more efficiently and with less stress for executors.

03
Executor Due Diligence

We want to help protect you from executor liability. We can facilitate efficient and low cost solutions for the Will Search, posting the Notice to Creditors, the Asset Search, filing the Estate Information Return, and applying for a CRA Clearance Certificate. These steps are often a necessary and prudent part of properly administering an estate and reducing risk to the Estate Trustee.

04
Real Property Sales and Asset Management

We are experienced in facilitating estate real estate transactions and overseeing the collection and management of estate assets. Throughout the administration process, we maintain clear and transparent communication with both Estate Trustees and beneficiaries, helping ensure everyone remains informed while guiding executors through their ongoing responsibilities and obligations.

05
Estate Trustee Compensation and Beneficiary Releases

Once the estate is ready for distribution, we guide Estate Trustees through the executor compensation process and assist with preparing estate accounts and beneficiary releases. These releases confirm receipt of each beneficiary’s distribution and help protect the Estate Trustee from future claims relating to the administration of the estate. Our goal is to help you move forward confidently, knowing the estate has been administered properly, lawfully, and successfully.

The Estate Administration Journey

Probate and Court Filings

Whether the deceased had a will or not, we assist when necessary to obtain the court Certificate of Appointment (also known as probate), ensuring the executor is authorized to gather estate assets and deal with all third parties.

Asset Identification & Protection

Identifying and safeguarding the assets is a critical part of the executor's role. We help locate, inventory, and liquidate assets, including businesses, cross border assets, real estate, securities, investments and personal property. We guide executors in asset preservation and management throughout the process.

Debt Settlement and Tax Filing

We guide executors in ascertaining debts, paying taxes and prioritizing expenses. We connect executors with trusted tax professionals to ensure the proper tax filings are complete, and post a notice to creditors, reducing executor liability.

Estate Distribution

Once debts and taxes are settled, we help distribute the assets according to the will or, if there is no will, the laws of intestacy. We ensure that beneficiaries receive their inheritance smoothly and that the legal requirements are met prior to distribution to protect estate trustees.

Executor Support and Guidance

Serving as the executor of an estate can be overwhelming. We provide comprehensive support throughout the process, offering guidance and advice to ensure that all actions are legally compliant and that the executor's duties are fulfilled without so there is no ongoing personal liability.

What is an estate administration?

Estate administration is the process of managing and distributing a deceased person’s assets. This includes gathering their property, settling debts and taxes, and ensuring the remaining assets go to the rightful beneficiaries.

What does estate administration involve?

It involves working with other professionals to complete the tasks, communicating regularly with the beneficiaries,

and assuming responsibility for legal and tax compliance until the job is done.

What is the estate trustee's role?

The estate trustee's role is to administer the estate according to the terms of the Will; to hire a lawyer and accountant, understand the assets and beneficiaries, to be a fiduciary of the estate and maintain it's integrity until distribution.

How long does an estate administration take?

The timeline varies depending on the estate's complexity, but it can take over a year. Factors include waiting for probate, resolving debts, and distributing assets.