Ontario Estate Planning Lawyer 

Maybe. A will is part of the picture, but not the whole thing. If your life has changed—kids, property, a business—it’s worth checking whether your plan still does what you actually want it to do.

A will only works if it controls the right assets in the right way. The only way to know that is to take a closer look, hear your story, and build a simple solution around a life that’s rarely simple. That's what an expert estate planning lawyer does.

Own a business or corporation? You may want to consider a secondary or corporate will. Read more...

*If you’re not ready for legal documents or have some already but want a clear read before things get messy, I offer private clarity sessions. No forms. No fluff. Just sharp, strategic thinking on the real world consequences of your decisions.

A will takes effect after you die. It says who gets your assets, who should be the guardian for your children, and who is in charge of carrying out your wishes (your executor).

A power of attorney (POA) works while you’re alive — usually when you become incapable. It lets someone else make decisions for you if you can’t, either about your property and finances, or your personal care (like housing and medical treatment).

A complete estate plan usually includes both.

No — you can legally make your own will in Ontario. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

DIY wills are often unclear, incomplete, or invalid. A good estate planning lawyer ensures your will meets Ontario’s legal rules, reflects your actual intentions, and doesn’t accidentally leave out something important — like what happens if a beneficiary dies first, or how debts should be handled.

Estate problems are much harder and more expensive to fix later. That’s why many people choose an estate planning lawyer to get it right from the start.

An estate planning lawyer helps you put legal plans in place for what happens if you become incapacitated or die. That includes creating a valid will, powers of attorney for property and personal care, and in some cases, trusts or beneficiary designations.

A good lawyer doesn’t just draft documents — they make sure your entire plan works in real life. That means reviewing your assets, how they’re owned (individually, jointly, or through a corporation), and what your beneficiary designations say for things like RRSPs, TFSAs, and life insurance.

If those don’t align with your will, your plan can fall apart — or cause conflict, delays, or unintended tax bills. The goal is to make sure everything works together to fulfill your wishes.

Most people assume estate planning will cost thousands. And it can—if you need corporate structures or complex trusts.

But for most Toronto families, it doesn’t.

I offer flat-fee estate planning that includes your Will, both types of power of attorney, and real legal advice—customized to your situation. No hourly billing. No surprise add-ons.

You’ll know the full price before we begin.

More advanced planning (like dual Wills or cross-border assets) can involve extra work and additional fees—but I’ll tell you that up front too.

Not at all. Most of my clients are in their 30s to 60s—people with responsibilities, not necessarily wrinkles. If someone depends on you, you've built financial security, or you’ve got anything you’d want handled a certain way, it’s time to plan.

If you're young and your life is mostly digital, make sure your plan reflects it. Here are 5 digital things people forget until it’s too late →

Yes—and I usually do (but not unsolicited). You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We’ll look at what’s commonly done in situations like yours, talk through the trade-offs, and shape a plan that fits your life—not someone else’s.

But there’s power in simplicity. Estate settlement involves banks, government forms, taxes, and a lot of people who aren’t in the room with us. Sometimes the best plan is the one that’s clear enough not to cause confusion or delay when it matters most.

No, I don’t have one. I am an entirely remote estate planning lawyer. We meet by video, your documents are printed and shipped to you in advance, and I provide the witness for signing. It’s designed to be clear, calm, and handled from home or work—without turning your week upside down.

Not line by line. You’ll get a plain-English guide that explains what each clause does and why it’s there. Most people review on their own and email questions or changes. If something’s better handled in real time, we’ll book a short call—but most of the time, it’s not needed.

To protect the integrity of their documents and prevent possible claims of undue influence, no one else should be involved when working with an estate planning lawyer, so if they can't manage the technology side themselves, an in-person meeting (with an estate planning lawyer other than myself) may be best.

No. The plan is built to last. I draft with flexibility so you’re not stuck coming back for every small change. But if your life shifts—family, assets, goals—you’re always welcome to reach out and start a new review.

If you ever need to make updates, we’ll review your full plan together to ensure everything remains legally sound, consistent with your wishes, and aligned with current law. Updates are handled with clear, upfront flat fees, typically lower than creating a new plan. This way, you can move forward with confidence, knowing your plan always reflects your life.

Updates are treated as a separate engagement and are not included in my packages. The cost for future updates depends on the nature and extent of the changes. Updates are typically offered for a predictable flat fee that is lower than the cost of creating a new plan.

No problem. I provide estate planning legal advice to clients remotely across the province of Ontario and around the world. Learn more...