Executors Assistance
There are numerous tasks involved in settling an estate. The majority of people have never been an Executor and don’t know where to start.
This is why we provide our clients with an Executor's Checklist and an Administration Guide. While these are not exhaustive lists of the duties required or places to contact, they are designed to assist an Executor with organization and settling of an Estate. A list of local law firms is available should you find that assistance is necessary to complete this task.
In the immediate term we notify key organizations and the Government of Canada that a person is deceased. This notification involves the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and Guaranteed Income Supplement programs as well as providing the deceased's Social Insurance Number to the Federal Government in order to have it retired and to aid in the prevention of Identity Theft and Fraud.
In the short term we can provide Funeral Director's Declarations as well as various forms and letters to assist with filing for government benefits and notifying credit card, life insurance, and pension companies.
Most lawyers will speak with you to discuss your matters for a brief time without charge to determine what your needs may be. They will be able to tell you what is required and give you an estimate of costs as well prior to engaging their services.
While there is no requirement to use a lawyer in administering an estate, there are a number of items that require attention, among them is probate which is a rather formal procedure. One minor omission, one failure to send even a distant family member a copy of a document, or a missed deadline, can cause everything to come to a grinding halt or expose everyone to liability.
It generally is a very good idea to seek legal counsel and perhaps it may be a good idea to "let a lawyer handle it."
Please note that the information provided does NOT provide you with Legal or Accounting advice. Each Estate is different and you should seek professional assistance for Legal and Accounting matters.
