Wills & Estate Law at Cohen Highley LLP

Safeguard Your Family’s Future: Consult Our Expert Wills and Estate Lawyers

Nothing is more important than family. Protecting your family means thinking about the future and making plans to ensure their well-being after you are gone. Thinking about the division of your assets can be uncomfortable. It is not uncommon to put off estate planning, to avoid thinking about the inevitable. But in order to make sure your wishes are carried out according to your family’s best interests, it is advisable to consult experienced Wills and Estate Lawyers and plan for the future.

Legal matters regarding wills and estates are often emotionally charged and deeply personal. In the event of a loved one’s passing, interpersonal conflicts between family members and other beneficiaries can arise, especially over the distribution and administration of an estate. By making thorough, legally binding decisions about your last wishes now, not only can you make sure your family will be protected financially, but you might also help protect them from turbulent conflicts after you are gone.

At Cohen Highley LLP, our wills and estate lawyers know that nothing matters more to our clients than their families’ future security. Our team of wills and estate lawyers serving appreciate that the clients we represent are entrusting us with the most serious decisions they might ever make. We know how important it is to listen to our clients, provide clear, candid communication, and assure them that their wishes will be adhered to once they have passed.

Our legal team has experience assisting with the following matters related to wills and estates.

Probate applications
Designating powers of attorney
Directives
Removing an executor from a will
Challenging a will
Estate fiduciary duties
Passing of accounts
Settling the estate
Estate trustees
Identification and valuation of assets
Guardianship matters
Beneficiary matters
Certificate of Estate Trustees
Guiding executors
Charitable trusts
Investment properties and other investments
And more

Estate Planning

You deserve to have a say in exactly how your property is divided amongst your beneficiaries. By working with a estate lawyer to outline the creation of a valid, legally binding will, you will be able to ensure that your assets are distributed as you best see fit.

However if you die before creating a will, your estate will be divided according to the regulations outlined in the Succession Law Reform Act. People who lose their lives before settling their affairs through the creation of a valid will are known as “intestate.” While the system for estate distribution under the Succession Law Reform Act takes a person’s close family members into account, intestate Ontarians do not have any say in exactly how their assets will be divided amongst their loved ones. Furthermore, if an intestate person does not have a next of kin, their estate will become the property of the provincial government.

In addition to finalizing your decisions about your property’s division after your death, it is also prudent to make provisions for certain unfortunate situations that might occur during your lifetime. No one anticipates the worst case scenario but planning for it could save you and your family members from discomfort and conflict.

Designating powers of attorney for both your property and personal care is an important safeguard in the event that you become mentally incapacitated. If you are unable to communicate or carry out your wishes during your lifetime, your designated power of attorney for property will have the authority to manage your finances. Your power of attorney for personal care will be able to communicate your decisions about your living arrangements and healthcare should you be unable to voice your opinions later in life.

PARTNER

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Victoria Young

PARTNER

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Our legal team is accessible, innovative, and professional.

Meet Our Team

We hold ourselves accountable for the quality of our work on every file and for every client. We are committed to meeting the needs of our clients, while acting fairly, firmly and with integrity. We will innovate and adapt to enable us to achieve practical and effective legal solutions.

Estate Administration

Being named an estate trustee (formerly known as an “executor”) comes with a great deal of responsibility. Without working knowledge of wills and estate administration, probate procedures, deadlines, and other protocols, wrapping up an estate can be a confusing and frustrating process. Additionally, estate trustees often find themselves navigating the emotions and interpersonal conflicts of various beneficiaries who may have qualms with the decisions outlined in their deceased loved one’s will.

If you were selected to be a friend or relative’s estate trustee, receiving guidance, advice, and support from an estate lawyer could help clarify the often confusing and frustrating process. To go over your situation with our wills and estate lawyers and learn how our assistance could be beneficial to you, schedule a consultation with Cohen Highley LLP by contacting us today.