Estate Administration & Probate
Our clients include individuals, business owners and their families, companies, trust companies, government agencies, and charitable and not-for profit organizations. Our estate planning services include techniques to achieve our clients’ objectives and minimize taxes, through the preparation of wills, powers of attorney for property and personal care, trusts and charitable giving. As well, we coordinate with U.S. professional advisors when completing cross-border planning for U.S. citizens and residents and clients purchasing vacation properties in the U.S. We advise estate trustees, estate trustees during litigation, trustees, attorneys for property and personal care and guardians with respect to their duties and responsibilities, including in respect of the assets and liabilities involved. We assist with the transfer, disposition and/or distribution of assets and all matters ancillary thereto.Acting as an executor of estate can be a confusing and overwhelming process. The knowledgeable and experienced Toronto estate lawyers at Eric Levitt Law Office LLP can assist you with carrying out your executor duties and help you with all aspects of the Estate Administration process including the following:
- Providing advice to executors of their duties and functions
- Assisting with the application for probate by obtaining a Certificate of Appointment (with or without a will)
- Assisting with the distribution of assets to the beneficiaries
- Preparing an estate accounting and calculate executor compensation
- Transferring any real property into the name of the executor.
Probate in Ontario
Probate is the formal court process that legally approves the will of the deceased and recognizes it as their last will and testament and appoints the person who will act as the executor. Probate is often required by banks and financial institutions before releasing the assets to the executor.
Probate is also usually required where the estate includes real property, as the land registry will usually require probate to transfer the lands from the name of the deceased person into the name of someone else.
At Eric Levitt Law Office LLP, we can also assist you in determining whether the estate does not have to be probated which may save the estate thousands of dollars.
If you’re saddled with the task of acting as executor to an estate, don’t hesitate to seek assistance. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our estate lawyers.