What Does an Estate Lawyer Do?

Written By Justin A. Villeneuve

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Updated June 13, 2024

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The role of an estate lawyer is to provide legal advice and assistance to clients in matters related to estates and trusts. This includes helping clients plan their estates, create wills and trusts, and manage the administration of the estate. They may also help clients with probate proceedings, tax planning, and estate litigation. Estate lawyers provide guidance on inheritance laws and regulations, advise clients on how to protect their assets, and represent clients in court if necessary.

How Does an Estate Lawyer Help With Estate Planning?

Estate lawyers can help clients create a comprehensive estate plan that takes into account their current financial situation and goals for the future. This includes creating documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Estate lawyers can help clients navigate the complexities of tax law and advise them on the best ways to minimize their tax liabilities. They can also help clients plan for long-term care needs, protect their assets from creditors, and plan for their beneficiaries. Finally, estate lawyers can provide assistance in probate court, including filing the necessary paperwork and representing clients in legal disputes.

How Does an Estate Lawyer Help With Estate Administration?

An estate lawyer plays a significant role in an estate administration in Ontario. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the estate is administered according to the terms of the will, as well as any applicable provincial laws and regulations.

This includes verifying that the will is valid, locating and informing beneficiaries, filing an application for probate with the court, preparing necessary tax documents, and resolving any disputes among beneficiaries. In addition, they may also assist executors with managing assets, such as investments or real estate holdings, throughout the process of administering an estate.

FAQs for Estate Planning

FAQs for Estate Administration

Resources

  • https://www.oba.org/laws-and-publications/publications/guide-to-estate-planning-in-ontario
  • https://www.ontario.ca/page/estate-planning

About the Author

Justin is a fully bilingual lawyer and services clients in both French and English. He represents parties in insurance disputes, personal injury claims, and employment disputes at various levels of courts in Ontario. He was given early acceptance to the Common Law program at the University of Ottawa Law School. He obtained his Juris Doctorate in 2014 and was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2016 after articling at Weaver Simmons in Sudbury, Ontario.

Education

University of Ottawa – Common Law

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