Wills

As you prepare to transfer your assets to the next generation, our team is here to help you protect what you’ve built and ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes.

When creating your estate plan, we work closely with you to understand your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re transferring a business to family members or setting up a trust for children or relatives with special needs, we provide clear, expert guidance at every step.

Each decision comes with its own complexities. We carefully consider the tax, legal, and strategic factors to ensure your estate plan is executed smoothly. We help set clear terms for when and how your beneficiaries will receive their inheritance, tailored to your specific wishes.

Personal Directives and Powers of Attorney

Planning for your future involves more than just writing a will—it also involves preparing for how your affairs will be managed should you become incapacitated due to illness or age. We have significant experience advising clients on personal directives and powers of attorney.

A power of attorney allows you to appoint someone to manage your property and financial affairs if you become unable to do so. Without a power of attorney, a relative would need to apply for a costly and time-consuming court order to handle matters like paying bills or managing your home. By having a properly drafted power of attorney, you ensure that someone you trust can manage your financial affairs if necessary.

A personal directive lets you designate someone to make non-financial decisions on your behalf, such as healthcare, living arrangements, and other personal matters, if you’re unable to do so. Without a personal directive, your loved ones would need to obtain a legal order to make these important personal decisions on your behalf.

Trusts

Whether you are developing a business succession plan or want to protect your family’s future, we understand that estate planning does not happen in isolation. Our goal is to craft tailored strategies to best protect what matters most to you. We can help create custom solutions for inter vivos trusts, assured income for the severely handicapped (AISH) trusts, and spousal trusts.

When someone passes away, their estate needs to be administered. This includes locating and securing estate assets, identifying any outstanding debts, determining if a court grant is necessary, and ultimately distributing the assets to the beneficiaries.

Many people who are named as estate trustees or personal representatives in a will have little to no experience in the role. The process of obtaining a grant and administering an estate can be complicated, lengthy, and often overwhelming. By consulting with an experienced lawyer early in the estate administration process, you can ensure that the administration proceeds timely and efficiently, avoiding stress, frustration, and personal liability.

We strive to make the probate process as smooth as possible. If someone dies without a will (intestate), we can assist with applying for a grant of administration, where the court appoints a person to manage the estate. Our experienced lawyers will help you administer the estate and carry out the terms of the will, or, in the case of intestacy, assist with distributing the estate according to the Wills and Succession Act.

We would be honoured to help during the difficult time of a loved one passing. Let us ease the challenges of your situation with our expertise in estate administration.