Wills and Estates

A Comprehensive Estate Plan Can Protect Your Heirs

Many individuals shy away from developing an estate plan. It is wise, however, to consider the benefits of a full estate plan. Not only will you have the tools in place to avoid potential disputes among your family members, but you also retain control over who gets what after you pass away. If you have questions, or would like to begin drafting your estate plan, schedule a consultation at the Newmarket office of Dunsmuir Ridler.

The foundation of an effective estate plan typically rests on three sets of documents:

• Wills: A will ensures your assets are transferred upon death to those whom you wish to benefit. A will can be as detailed or general as you wish. Many individuals specify assets to be bequeathed to family members, friends or organizations.
• Trusts: While wills — in general — are used to specify the distribution of assets or property, a trust is used to provide financial direction regarding an estate. There are numerous types of trusts designed to account for nearly all situations. Whether it is a testamentary trust or an inter vivos trust, our Lawyers can answer your questions and provide the legal direction you need.
• Powers of Attorney: This document is written to give authority to make decisions regarding finances or property to another person. The person giving the authority is typically referred to as the donor and the person receiving the authority is typically referred to as the donee or agent. Your Lawyer can explain the benefits of these documents.
  When an individual owning property or who has assets dies with or without a will, the Estate must apply for a Certificate of Appointment with or without a Will. In either case, Dunsmuir Ridler can help. You can rest assured in the knowledge that we will assist in all aspects of this often emotional and difficult process. In addition, most of our wills and estates services are based on flat rate fees, which means you know upfront how much they will cost, rather than being caught off guard in the future.

Schedule A Consultation With An Estate Planning Lawyer

Call or email Dunsmuir Ridler to discuss your specific situation and your concerns for the future. Our hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. We offer services in English.

Estate Administration Can Be Challenging

A complete estate plan is designed to alleviate disputes and offer clear guidance regarding the distribution of assets. Unfortunately, subtle disagreements can lead to challenges in estate administration. An experienced Ontario Lawyer can provide the legal advice and direction necessary to resolve even the most complex disputes.

At the Newmarket office of Dunsmuir Ridler, we are prepared to answer questions regarding both estate planning and estate administration. Estate trustees (formerly known as administrators or executors) can face numerous pitfalls of varying degrees of complexity. From will challenges to distribution of estate assets, estate administration can be complicated by familial disputes compounded by the emotions relating to the loss of a loved one.

The Role Of An Estate Trustee

Whether you need a Lawyer to act in an advisory role or you need representation in a legal matter, our staff is ready to help. Typically, an estate trustee is responsible for such tasks as alerting beneficiaries, paying debts and filing tax documents.

What If There Is No Will?

When a person dies without a will, he or she is said to have died intestate. The distribution of assets, then, is governed by provincial regulations, and you lose the flexibility and discretion in who receives your assets that a will provides.

Your estate can go to probate if you do not have a will or, under certain circumstances, if you do have a will. Probate entails obtaining a certificate to appoint an estate trustee. The process includes serving the application on all the beneficiaries of your estate and enacts payment of the estate administration tax. When the court accepts the application, the court registrar issues the certificate of appointment.

Contact An Experienced Powers Of Attorney Lawyer Today

If you have further questions regarding estate administration, schedule a consultation at the Newmarket office of Dunsmuir Ridler. We can be reached by phone or email. Our hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. We offer services in English.

Powers Of Attorney Are A Crucial Part Of An Estate Plan

A power of attorney is a legal document in which you give one or more persons the legal authority to make decisions about your finances or property (called a continuing power of attorney for property) or personal care (called a power of attorney for personal care). It is strongly recommended that everyone has these two powers of attorney in addition to a will.

At Dunsmuir Ridler, we have extensive experience guiding clients in Newmarket and the York Region through challenging estate planning matters. We understand the serious nature of your decisions and we will remain accessible to answer your questions throughout the entire process.

What Powers Of Attorney Mean To You

As part of a comprehensive estate plan, a power of attorney allows an individual to name an attorney who can act in his or her stead. There are several advantages to having a power of attorney in place, including:

• A clear transfer of authority over your money and property
• You can choose multiple attorneys who can act jointly or separately to decide important matters
• Documents can be either general (temporary) or enduring (continuous)

Risks can include the possible mismanagement of assets, unspecific instructions in the document itself leading to confusion and the fact that multiple attorneys might not be able to reach an agreement. A knowledgeable Ontario Lawyer can provide honest answers and clear direction regarding your estate planning questions.

Contact An Experienced Powers Of Attorney Lawyer Today

If you have further questions regarding powers of attorney, schedule a consultation at the office of Dunsmuir Ridler. We can be reached by phone or email. Our hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. We offer services in English.