Estate Planning, Toronto

Preparation of Wills

A Will is a legal document that allows you to express your wishes regarding the distribution of your assets on death and to appoint the Executor of your estate. It also allows you to name a guardian for your minor children (if any on your death).  The preparation of your Will might also include:



• Establishing trusts for minor children, education trusts for grandchildren, etc. and naming the Trustees
• Planning for the special needs/disabilities of beneficiaries (aka "Henson Trusts")
• Establishing life insurance trusts and making designations of registered plans (RRSPs, TFSAs, pension, etc.)
• Preparation of Multiple Wills for small business owners and professional corporations
• Business succession planning
• Probate planning to minimize estate administration tax (also known as “probate tax”)
• Planning for financially dependent family members such as aging parents
• Planning for members of blended families
• Charitable giving
• Gifting of specific personal items
• Cottage/chalet succession planning

Preparing your Will allows you to alleviate some of the stress on your surviving loved ones by organizing your affairs and making important decisions ahead of time.  

Preparation of Powers of Attorney for Personal Care

A Power of Attorney for Personal Care is a document whereby you give someone the legal authority to make decisions about your care should you become mentally incapable of making these decisions for yourself.  In Ontario, we call this person your “Substitute Decision Maker” or more commonly, your “Attorney”.  Your Substitute Decision Maker will be able to make decisions about:

• Your personal care: health care, nutrition, shelter, clothing, hygiene and safety
• Treatments: for therapeutic, preventive, palliative, diagnostic or other health-related purposes
• Your placement in a facility, such as a nursing home, assisted living residence or other care facility

In preparing your Power of Attorney for Personal Care, you will also receive advice on how you can make your wishes about end-of-life care known to your Substitute Decision Makers through various means including Advance Care Plans. 

Preparation of Powers of Attorney for Property

A Power of Attorney for Property is a document whereby you give someone the legal authority to manage your assets and financial affairs in the event you are unable to do so yourself.  A Power of Attorney for Property can have a general scope whereby the authority granted is in respect of all your financial affairs, or limited to only certain specified assets.  Generally, the named attorney will:

• Access and manage your bank and investment accounts
• Pay your bills
• Maintain or sell your home
• Make decisions about your investment portfolio

Powers of Attorney for Property are useful not only where a person suffers a cognitive decline, but also where a person is otherwise mentally or physically incapable.  A Power of Attorney for Property can take various forms.  After discussing the options, you can determine which is best suited to you.