Wills

A will is one of the most important things you can do for your family. I'll help you put one in place that clearly reflects your wishes, and makes things as straightforward as possible for the people you leave behind.

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Why a Will Matters

Peace of mind for you, and clarity for those you love. 

A Will is the foundation of any solid estate plan. Without one, the law – not you – decides what happens to your home, your savings, and more importantly, your children. 

Creating a Will is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your family. It's your opportunity to speak clearly about what matters to you – who inherits your home, who receives personal treasures with sentimental value, and who you trust to carry out your wishes after you're gone.

Without a valid Will, your estate is distributed according to Ontario's Succession Law Reform Act, which follows a fixed formula that may have nothing to do with your actual wishes. Your common-law partner, close friends, or favourite charities may receive nothing at all.

I take the time to understand your family, your assets, and your goals before drafting a single word. Whether your situation is straightforward or involves blended families, business interests, or cross-border assets, I ensure your Will is clear, comprehensive, and legally sound.

What Your Ontario Will Can Cover

A well-drafted Will addresses far more than just who gets what. It can name guardians for minor children, provide for a pet, set conditions on gifts to young adults, establish trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries, minimize estate taxes, and name an executor you trust to handle the process with care.

What I Can Help With

  • Simple Wills for individuals

  • Mirror Wills for couples

  • Wills with Testamentary Trusts

  • Wills for blended families

  • Guardian designations for minors

  • Business succession provisions

  • Charitable giving clauses

  • Pet care provisions

How It Works

  1. Questionnaire & Intake
    I’ll begin by sending you an estate planning questionnaire to complete at your convenience. This allows me to gather key information in advance, so our time together is focused, efficient, and tailored to you.  

  2. Planning Meeting
    Once I’ve received your questionnaire, we’ll meet – either in person or by video – and I’ll walk you through your plan in detail. I’ll guide you through your options, answer your questions, and help you make informed decisions about how you’d like your estate structured.

  3. Drafting Your Will
    I prepare a clear, plain-language draft for your review, along with explanatory notes. If needed, we can walk through the documents together to ensure everything is exactly as you intend.

  4. Signing & Witnessing
    Once you’re comfortable with the documents, I’ll arrange a signing appointment that meets all legal requirements, ensuring your Will is valid and properly executed.

  5. Safekeeping & Updates
    Life changes – and so should your Will. I store your documents securely and am always available to review and update your documents as your circumstances evolve.

Wills & Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Yes. A will allows you to decide who receives your assets, who will administer your estate, and who will care for minor children. Without a will, Ontario law determines how your estate is distributed, which may not reflect your wishes.

  • If someone dies without a will, their estate is distributed according to Ontario’s intestacy laws. The court will appoint someone to administer the estate, and assets are distributed according to a statutory formula.

    For example, if the deceased had a spouse and children, the spouse receives a preferential share of the estate and the remainder is shared with the children. If there is no spouse or children, other relatives may inherit.

    Having a will ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes and can simplify the administration of your estate.

  • You should review your will every few years and after any major life events such as marriage, separation, divorce, having children or grandchildren, purchasing property, or starting a business.

  • While it is legally possible, homemade wills often create problems due to unclear wording or missed legal requirements. Working with a lawyer helps ensure your will is valid and your wishes are carried out properly.

  • Online will services can be a convenient and inexpensive option for people with very simple situations. However, they are not appropriate for many people.

    Many online services rely on standardized templates and questionnaires, which may not fully account for issues such as blended families, tax considerations, business ownership, or planning for beneficiaries with special needs.

    Errors in a will can create significant complications, including delays, increased legal costs, or outcomes that do not reflect your intentions.

    Working with a lawyer ensures your will is tailored to your circumstances, properly executed, and designed to minimize potential problems for your loved ones.

  • A typical estate plan includes:

    • A Will

    • A Power of Attorney for Property

    • A Power of Attorney for Personal Care

    In some situations, an estate plan may also include trust planning.

    A comprehensive estate plan should also consider how your assets are structured, including how title to real estate is held and whether registered accounts or insurance policies have appropriate designations. Ensuring these are coordinated with your will can help avoid unintended results and simplify the administration of your estate.

    At O’Hare Law, estate planning involves looking at the whole picture of your assets, family circumstances and goals, so that your plan works as intended.

  • Not necessarily.

    If someone dies with a valid will, their assets are distributed according to the terms of the will.

    If someone dies without a will, Ontario’s intestacy laws determine how the estate is distributed. While a surviving spouse is entitled to a preferential share of the estate, the remainder may be shared with the deceased’s children depending on the size of the estate.

    In addition, some assets, such as jointly owned property or accounts with named beneficiaries, may pass directly to the surviving owner or beneficiary outside of the will.

    Proper estate planning helps ensure your assets pass according to your wishes and can help avoid unintended results for your family.