LawyerInfo.ca
June 23rd, 2026
Navigating music rights and estate law simultaneously is incredibly complex— “How Ontario Executors Handle a Musician’s SOCAN Royalties”
Ontario boasts a thriving, globally recognized music industry. From indie rock bands originating in Hamilton to internationally famous pop stars emerging from Toronto, Canadian artists generate significant wealth. When a songwriter or composer passes away, their music does not stop playing. Every time their song is played on the radio, streamed in a coffee shop, or performed live, it continues to generate performance royalties.
In Canada, these specific royalties are tracked and collected by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).
As an executor, simply having a copy of the deceased’s will is not enough to access these funds. SOCAN is legally bound to freeze the musician’s account the moment they are notified of a death.
To unfreeze the money and ensure the heirs receive their ongoing income, the executor must complete a strict legal transfer process. Follow this “Step-by-Step Process for Transferring SOCAN Royalties in Ontario”…
To manage a deceased musician’s performance royalties in Ontario, executors must notify SOCAN and provide a court-issued Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee. This legal process is mandatory to redirect ongoing music royalties to the rightful heirs.
