Executors

Total 350 Posts

But Google Says… The Executor’s Guide to Late-Night Googling

Accepting an appointment as executor is a bit like agreeing to assemble a complicated piece of furniture without realizing the instructions are 300 pages long, several pieces are missing, and everyone in the family has a different opinion about how it should be assembled. Most executors begin the process feeling confident and optimistic. They are organized. They are capable. They have a plan. A few months later, they are searching….

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Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Executors

Five Practical Tips for Preparing and Reviewing Estate Accounts

Estate trustees have a duty to keep accurate records of estate assets and transactions throughout their administration and to account to beneficiaries at appropriate intervals. The estate accounts tell the story of how estate assets were collected, managed, spent, and distributed. Once that accounting has been provided, estate trustees may seek a discharge for the period covered by the accounts, either through beneficiary releases or a court passing of accounts…..

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Estate Administration, Executors, Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts, Trustee, Trustee Compensation

Choosing the Right Estate Trustee: When Poor Administration Comes at a Cost

This blog post was written by Mohena Singh, Associate at Fasken LLP. A recent Ontario Superior Court decision, Flowers v. Flowers, 2026 ONSC 3524, serves as a reminder that one of the most important decisions in any estate plan is the selection of an estate trustee. While many testators instinctively appoint a trusted child or family member, the role carries significant legal responsibilities. When those responsibilities are ignored, the consequences….

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Estate Administration, Executors, Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts, Trustee Compensation

Planning for the Long Game: What Happens When Your Executor Becomes Incapable?

This blog has been written by Karen La Caprara, Counsel, at Fasken LLP When contemplating estate planning, it can be easy to focus on a single moment: death. But estate administration does not occur in a moment. It often unfolds over many months, or years, particularly where there is a continuing trust, significant tax work, or illiquid assets. This raises a question that testators can easily overlook at the planning….

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Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Executors, Wills

The First Month After a Death: Practical First Steps for Executors and Family Members

This blog has been written by Caroline Caron, Paralegal, at Fasken LLP The weeks following a death can feel overwhelming. Alongside grief, there are practical responsibilities that often require prompt attention. Whether you are acting as executor or helping someone who is, a few clear first steps can make the process feel more manageable. Before turning to the specific initial steps involved in administering the estate, it is worth noting….

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Estate Administration, Executors

The “Surprise” Asset – What to Do When You Discover Estate Assets After Probate

Even with careful record-gathering at the beginning of an estate administration, it is not uncommon for an estate trustee to later discover an additional asset. The estate trustee may think they have prepared a complete list of all the assets owned by the deceased as of the date of death. Then, after the Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee (probate grant) (the “Estate Certificate”) is issued, something else turns up…..

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Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Executors, Probate Tax, Tax Issues, Trustee
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