Miller Thompson
February 4th, 2025
Beneficiaries of an estate often want to know how long they should expect to wait to receive their share of the estate. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question, as the timeline can vary considerably depending on the specific circumstances of the estate.
The Executor’s Year: A Traditional Rule of Thumb
As a starting point, there is a traditional rule of thumb known as the “executor’s year.” This guideline suggests that an executor is generally expected to complete the administration and distribution of an estate within appropriately one year from the date of the deceased’s death.
However, the “executor’s year” is not a strict rule. It serves as a rough estimate of how long it should take an executor to deal with an estate, originating from an earlier (and simpler) time.
These days, it is quite common for estates to take longer than a year to be fully administered and distributed. The process of applying for probate alone can often take several months, and getting probate completed may be necessary before the executor can access the deceased’s financial accounts or sell their home. Additionally, applying for a tax clearance certificate from CRA can, by itself, add several months to the administration timeline.
In summary, there is no straightforward answer to how long an executor has to distribute funds to beneficiaries. Executors are expected to avoid undue delays and complete the administration of the estate within a reasonable time. However, what constitutes a reasonable timeframe will vary significantly from estate to estate. In appropriate cases, beneficiaries have tools at their disposal to help expedite the estate administration process.
