Wills
Protect your family and your future with a clear, legally sound will. Trusted Toronto estate lawyer providing wills and estate planning designed to give you clarity, control, and peace of mind.
Why Having a Will Matters in Toronto, Ontario
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.
Law Documents We Prepare at O’Hare Law Toronto:
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
The Process - Why Choose O’Hare Law, Toronto
Choosing Your Attorney
I help you think through who is best placed to act on your behalf – someone trustworthy, organised, and capable of making calm decisions under pressure.Defining the Scope
We discuss how much authority to grant, whether to set conditions, and whether you'd like multiple attorneys to act jointly or independently.Drafting & Review
I prepare clear, plain-language documents that precisely reflect your wishes and comply fully with Ontario's Substitute Decisions Act.Signing & Execution
Proper execution of a power of attorney in Ontario has specific legal requirements. I handle the signing to ensure your documents are valid and enforceable.
Wills & Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.