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Contact a Brampton/Mississauga Wills, Trusts, and Estates lawyer today:
Howard Simmons Wills and Estate Planning howard@sdslawfirm.com
Robert Love Wills and Estate Planning John Mullen Estate Litigation Helen Elliott Wills and Estate Planning
The Wills, Trusts, and Estates Group
Planning
A well thought out Will and estate plan will provide for the efficient administration of your affairs in accordance with your wishes and unique personal circumstances. Everyone should ensure that his or her affairs are in good order in the event of death or disability. In Ontario, if you die without a Will, the law will determine who will receive your property. A solid plan can potentially save thousands of dollars in probate fees, taxes, administration costs and distress to your loved ones. It can avoid any misunderstandings among beneficiaries, and help prevent the need for litigation in the administration and finalization of your Estate. Importantly, it can provide for your needs and wishes during any future disability.Planning with your lawyer
Although you can write your own Will, you want to be sure that your instructions are clear and will stand up to a court challenge should this occur.Our Estate Planning lawyers work closely with you to develop a personal Estate Plan that will meet your individual needs and circumstances. A review of your affairs is undertaken including a review of assets, life insurance policies, pensions, RRSP’s, debts, liabilities, support obligations, and other contractual obligations.
Our lawyers will advise you on any transactions that may permit you to achieve your objectives in the most cost-efficient manner, including suggestions on the feasibility of holding property jointly, designation of beneficiaries on life insurance policies, pension plans and RRSPs, setting up an inter vivos trust, preparing or amending marriage contracts, pre-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, shareholder agreements, partnership agreements or other agreements which can affect your Estate Plan. In this way you and your family are better prepared to deal with aging, sudden illness, incapacity and death.
Selecting an executor
A Will should identify one or more individuals who will act as executors to carry out your instructions in accordance with the Will as well as winding up your personal and business affairs. If an executor is not appointed in the Will, the courts will appoint someone to administer your estate. We will provide guidance and information to assist you in this important step.Selecting a guardian
If you have any children under the age of eighteen, you can appoint someone to have legal authority to look after them upon your death. This is often a sensitive matter and should be discussed thoroughly with your spouse and our lawyers.Disabled child
Should you be facing any special family circumstances such as a disabled child, you should ensure that he or she will be properly looked after.Dependant parents
Make sure that dependant parents will be properly looked after in the event of your death or incapacity.Powers of attorney - personal care
You can identify someone to make medical, healthcare and lifestyle decisions on your behalf when you can1t make them yourself.Powers of attorney - property
You can identify someone you feel is best suited to manage your affairs should you become incapacitated or unable to manage your own affairs. If you do not, your assets may be frozen or the Government may administer your affairs.Periodic review
Once you have a Will and Estate Plan in place, you should review it periodically with us, at least every three to five years. Changes in your financial and family situations, such as a death, divorce, remarriage or an inheritance, may require revisions.Estate administration
We can assist the estate executor to prepare the necessary court documents to grant authority to the executor to carry out their responsibilities.Estate dispute resolution
Our group provides advice and dispute resolution services on a range of legal issues including the interpretation and challenging of Wills and trusts, the rights of beneficiaries, the duties of Executors and Trustees, and mental capacity.Contact a Brampton/Mississauga Wills, Trusts, and Estates lawyer today:
Howard Simmons Wills and Estate Planning Robert Love Wills and Estate Planning John Mullen Estate Litigation Helen Elliott Wills and Estate Planning