Estate Administration

We administer even the most challenging of estates. Although estate administration is a difficult, stressful and risky job – we can certainly help.

Why hire us as estate administrators?

Our clients hire us in the following circumstances:

1. When there is no one in the family who is agreeable to or is suitable to take on the task. Being an executor of an estate is difficult! Even though it might seem like an honour, it is actually a stressful task that most people want to avoid.
2. When there is no one in Ontario who can act as an estate trustee/executor/estate administrator. We’re local, we’re in Ontario, and we’re at your service.
3. When there is a dispute – with or without litigation.

Our Fees & Expenses

When we act as the Estate Trustee, beneficiaries do not need to pay anything out of pocket. Our fees are paid directly from the estate.

All estate-related expenses—including Estate Administration Tax and other costs—are also paid from the estate.

For estates that are straightforward and do not involve unusual complexity or risk, our fees for acting as Estate Trustee are generally calculated using the following fee scale:

Minimum Fees & Other Costs

Our minimum fee for acting as Estate Trustee is $12,000 + HST for most estates.
For very simple estates—such as those with one bank account and no outstanding income tax issues—our minimum fee is $6,000 + HST.

Legal fees are separate from our Estate Trustee fees. These usually include the cost of the probate application needed to officially appoint us as Estate Trustee. Our standard probate fee is $2,975 + HST, assuming all required consents and renunciations are obtained without delay.

All reasonable expenses—such as realtor commissions, accounting and tax preparation fees, and any outstanding debts (including income taxes)—are paid from the estate, not by beneficiaries, and are separate from our trustee fees.

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Naming Us as Executor in Your Will

We are often asked to be named as executor (estate trustee) in wills that are being drafted. We are open to this, but ask that you keep the following points in mind:

• We strongly prefer to act as the sole Estate Trustee, rather than sharing the role with another person.
• Your will must name an individual lawyer, not the firm itself. A law firm cannot act as an Estate Trustee.
• You should plan for the possibility that the named lawyer may be unable or unwilling to act in the future. A good option is to name a trust company as an alternate executor.
• You may also wish to name a trust company as the primary executor. Trust companies are the only organizations that can act as Estate Trustees indefinitely and are guaranteed to be available when the time comes.
• We do not charge any fee for being named in your will.
• If we act as Estate Trustee, our fee is 5% of the value of the estate. We do not charge hourly rates for trustee work.
• It is important that someone is designated to notify us upon your death, provide details of your assets and debts, and let us know where the original will is stored.

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Services Not Currently Available

At this time, we do not act as trustee for long-term trusts, such as:

• Testamentary trusts for minor children
• Henson Trusts for disabled adult children

We also do not currently provide services as:

• Attorney for Property
• Attorney for Personal Care

As our firm grows, we expect to offer these services in the future. In the meantime, we are happy to refer you to trusted lawyers or trust companies who regularly provide these services and can assist you and your family.

Not sure who should handle your estate?
Choosing the right executor can make things much easier for your family.
👉 Call us today to discuss your estate and executor options.