Allen & Malek LLP
By John Allen
September 1st, 2020
This handbook is for those who have been appointed an executor (now called an “estate trustee”) in Ontario.
When someone close to you has died, leaving you in charge of all their worldly possessions, and when others are also grieving and looking to you to settle things quickly and fairly, you need a plain language guide. This is that guide.
It is divided into chapters, corresponding to the stages in the administration of the estate. It tells you what needs to be done, when to do it, what you can do yourself, and when you should seek the assistance of a lawyer or accountant.
You need to sleep at night, so use this handbook as a guide, and seek professional advice when necessary.
Continue reading for an introduction to, and excerpts from, “How to Administer an Estate in Ontario: Plain Language Handbook”…
There is a lot that can go wrong when administering an estate. This handbook doesn’t have all the answers, but it deals with the most common issues that can arise, and, if there are surprises, it points you in the right direction. This handbook was written in August 2020 and it applies to Ontario, Canada estates. We have used plain language where possible. For example, we have used “will-maker” rather than “testator” or “testatrix.” Also, we have used “their” for singular possessive, rather than “his or her,” and we have used “they” rather than “he or she.”
John Allen, Partner, Allen & Malek LLP
