Planning for the future can help protect your wishes, your property and the people who matter most. Get experienced legal guidance with wills, estate planning, Powers of Attorney and estate administration.
A properly prepared will gives you an opportunity to clearly express how you want your estate handled after your death.
Your will can identify beneficiaries, name the person or people you want to administer your estate and provide instructions for the distribution of your property.
Good estate planning is about more than preparing a document. It is about considering your family, finances and future wishes and putting appropriate legal arrangements in place.
Every person's estate planning needs are different. Legal advice can help you understand which documents and arrangements may be appropriate for your circumstances.
Preparation and review of wills designed to clearly document your wishes concerning your estate.
Practical legal guidance to help organize your estate and consider how your property should be handled in the future.
Plan for who may make decisions concerning your property and financial affairs if authorized to do so.
Document who may make certain personal care decisions on your behalf if the circumstances require it.
Legal guidance for estate trustees dealing with the responsibilities involved in administering an estate.
Advice concerning whether probate may be required and assistance with appropriate estate administration procedures.
Estate planning can help you make important decisions today about how your affairs should be handled in the future.
An estate plan may involve more than a will. Depending on your circumstances, you may also want to consider Powers of Attorney, your choice of estate trustee, beneficiaries and how your assets are structured.
Life events can also change your estate planning needs. Marriage, separation, divorce, changes in your family, acquiring property or other significant financial changes may be good reasons to review existing documents.
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Estate planning isn't only about what happens after death. Powers of Attorney can form an important part of planning for decisions that may need to be made during your lifetime.
A Continuing Power of Attorney for Property allows you to appoint someone to deal with financial and property matters on your behalf, subject to the authority provided in the document and Ontario law.
This can include matters involving finances, banking, bills, investments and property.
A Power of Attorney for Personal Care allows you to appoint someone to make certain personal care decisions for you if you become incapable of making those decisions yourself.
Personal care decisions can include areas such as health care, housing, nutrition, clothing, hygiene and safety.
Being named as an estate trustee can bring significant responsibilities during an already difficult time.
The estate trustee may need to identify assets and liabilities, deal with financial institutions, address debts and expenses and ultimately distribute estate property according to the will and applicable Ontario law.
Depending on the estate and the assets involved, it may also be necessary to apply to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee, commonly referred to as probate.
Get Estate Administration HelpNot necessarily.
Whether probate is required can depend on the type of property in the estate, how assets are owned and the requirements of financial institutions or other organizations dealing with the estate.
Legal advice can help an estate trustee understand the steps that may be required in a particular estate.
Careful planning can provide greater clarity for you and your family and ensure your legal documents accurately reflect your wishes.
Put your intentions in writing through properly prepared estate planning documents.
Consider how your family, beneficiaries and other important people may be affected by your estate plan.
Create documents that address both estate administration after death and important decisions that may arise during your lifetime.
Serving clients from Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton and surrounding communities.
Speak with Sally Chiarelli about your will, estate planning, Power of Attorney or estate administration needs.
905-336-9661 Schedule an Appointment