Estate Administration

The administration of estates involves a wide variety of legal and financial issues and considerations. Numerous steps need to be completed and the executor must advance the administration in a timely manner, keeping the beneficiaries informed about his or her progress.

Lawrences’ estate lawyers have extensive experience with administration of estates, fiduciary accounting, and distribution of estate assets.

What is probate? Who should I appoint as my Executor? How much is the probate tax in Ontario?

May 29, 2014 | Article

To Probate or Not to Probate? – That is the Question

You have probably heard of the term “probate”. Perhaps a prospective client has called and told you that a relative has died and he or she needs you to help them “get probate”. What are they referring to, and how can you assist?

Dec 01, 2011 | Article

New Legislation Changes Probate Rules: Being an Executor can be Taxing

The executor of an estate has many duties. One of them is to ensure that debts and taxes are paid before the estate is distributed to the beneficiaries.
In Ontario, there are two main types of taxes on death: income tax and probate tax (which is formally known as ‘estate administration tax’). Although probate tax was tripled in 1992 from 0.5% to 1.5% of an estate’s value, the Ontario government has not seen a corresponding increase in taxes collected. In May, 2011, the Ontario government passed legislation giving the Ontario Minister of Revenue the power to audit and reassess an estate within four years of the tax being payable. This legislation is to take effect January 1, 2013.