Wills & Estate Planning

Did you know that in some countries, a person does not have complete freedom to decided who will benefit from his or her estate?  This is not the case in Canada where, subject to a few exceptions, a person may choose who will inherit pursuant to a Will; hence, developing an estate plan is imperative in order to ensure that a person’s testamentary freedom is preserved.

The lawyers at WILSON BRIGNETI can assist you in crafting a personalized estate plan that will ensure a balance between your testamentary objectives and compliance with the law.  In large and small estates alike, we can help identify opportunities for the tax effective transfer of wealth.

In addition to a Will, a key component of a thorough estate plan is ensuring that arrangements are in place for the delegation of decisions making in the event that one is no longer capable.  This is achieved by granting Power of Attorney to someone you trust.

Our lawyers can guide you through the estate planning process in the following areas:

• Crafting an estate plan to suit your personal needs

• Drafting of Wills and Codicils

• Preparation of Powers of Attorney documents for the management of property and personal care

• Business succession planning, including estate freezes and trust structures

Estate Administration

Acting as estate trustee may seem like a daunting task; however, our lawyers can guide you through the process while ensuring that you are protected from potential disputes. 

We serve as our clientS’ advisors in the following areas of estate administration:

• Proper filing of Applications for Certificate of Appointment with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (formerly known as “probate”)

• Preparing the Estate Information Return for filing with the Ontario Ministry of Finance

• Distribution of estate assets to beneficiaries

• Passing of accounts

• General estate administration advice