Can an Executor Pay Their Legal Fees from the Estate in Ontario? In many cases, yes. An executor can use estate funds to pay legal fees. But that entitlement is not automatic, and it is not unlimited. In Ontario, the key question is whether the legal fees were...
Executor Compensation in Ontario: How Much Can an Executor Be Paid? Executor compensation in Ontario is not fixed, but there are commonly accepted guidelines. In many cases, compensation is described as being “up to 5%” of the value of the estate. While this figure is...
When Is Guardianship Necessary in Ontario? Guardianship becomes necessary in Ontario when an adult is no longer capable of managing their finances or personal care decisions and no suitable Power of Attorney is in place to make those decisions on their behalf....
Few estate issues create as much tension as delays in distribution. Beneficiaries may feel ignored or mistrusted. Executors may feel pressured, overwhelmed, or worried about making a mistake. This leads to a very common question in Ontario estate administration: can...
Many families are surprised to learn that a document that does not meet Ontario’s formal will requirements may still be recognized by the courts. This issue often arises when a loved one passes away leaving behind an unsigned draft, a handwritten note, or even an...
When a person dies without a will, they are said to have died intestate. Without a will, there is no executor named to handle the estate. Yet, someone still needs legal authority to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute what remains to the rightful heirs. In...
