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PLANNING
YOUR ESTATE

Couple signing papers with a lawyer

Estate planning is the process of organizing your affairs to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes in a tax-efficient manner.

It protects your loved ones, minimizes uncertainties, and secures your legacy. By planning ahead, you preserve family harmony, address unforeseen challenges, and demonstrate thoughtful stewardship of your financial and personal responsibilities.

Key Estate Planning Solutions

A will outlines your wishes for asset distribution after your passing, while a trust can manage assets during your lifetime and beyond. Trusts also offer more privacy and can help avoid probate.

What is the difference between a will and a trust?

The timeline depends on the complexity of the estate and whether disputes arise. It can range from a few months to over a year.
 

How long does the probate process take?

Dying without a Will means the Ontario rules of intestacy apply to dictate the distribution of  your estate according to a prescribed scheme.  No one is entitled as your estate trustee, but a special court application is needed.  Valuable planning opportunities are lost. 

What happens if someone dies without a will?

Estate litigation may arise when a beneficiary, estate trustee or other party with "standing" initiates court involvement to dispute the Will, apply for Dependant's Relief if they did not receive enough under the Will, clarify the terms of a Will, and countless other scenarios.  It involves asking a court to resolve issues that the parties cannot resolve themselves.

What is estate litigation?

FAQs

Creating Your Estate Plan

Creating Your Estate Plan

Last Will and Testament

More than a document for asset distribution, properly drafted Wills clearly articulate your wishes, allow for unforeseen contingencies, and take advantage of tax planning strategies. They name guardians for minors. They can reduce family disputes and ease the estate administration process.

Trusts

Trusts go beyond tax efficiency and asset protection. They can be tailored for specific purposes, such as safeguarding assets for minors or individuals with disabilities, and can help manage complex family dynamics and charitable giving. Trusts can offer privacy, help avoid probate delays and minimize probate tax.

Appoint Executors and Substitute Decision-Makers

Selecting these individuals requires careful consideration of their reliability, judgment, and ability to handle financial and personal responsibilities. These trusted persons will manage your property and make critical decisions on your behalf, ensuring your wishes are carried out seamlessly during times of incapacity and after your passing.

Advanced Personal Care Instructions

These directives provide clarity and alleviate the moral burden that substitute decision makers face if they need to speak for you once you can no longer speak for yourself in medical and personal care situations.  These instructions, communicated orally and in writing reflect your values and preferences for care. 

01
Initial Consultation

Once you engage us, we can meet in person or remotely to strategize how to draft the best beneficiary designations, Will(s), trusts, power of attorney documents, and advance directives based on your particular family and asset situation.

02 
Customized Plan Creation

Drawing from the information gathered during our first meeting, we craft tailored estate planning documents to ensure your wishes are clearly defined and legally binding and send them to you for your review and comment.

03
Review and Refinement

We make any necessary adjustments to ensure your estate plan aligns with your personal wishes in the most practical manner possible.

04
Finalization and Signing

Once your plan is finalized, we meet, ideally in person, to sign, providing you with a complete, legally enforceable estate plan that offers peace of mind. You will leave our office with a paper and digital record of all signed documents.

Our clients can benefit from lifetime original Will storage with Custodius.

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Secure Your Legacy Today.

Contact us now to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

Stay informed and empowered with our expert resources.

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