Young children
Guardians and trusts: the two decisions parents put off
Our wills and powers of attorney page covers the full law. For Pickering parents, two points matter most.
Who would raise your children
Your will can name a person to have decision-making responsibility for your children if no other parent with that responsibility survives you. The person has to agree, and the appointment lasts 90 days, during which they apply to court; the court then decides on your children’s best interests, giving weight to your choice. Couples should name the same guardian in both wills, because if both parents die together and name different people, only a person named by both is effective.
Who would manage their money
Money left outright to a child can’t simply be handed over. Under Ontario’s guardianship rules, apart from small amounts, it is in most cases paid into court unless someone is appointed guardian of the child’s property, and the child receives all of it at 18. A trust in your will avoids that: your estate trustee holds the share, pays for housing, school and activities, and releases it at an age you choose, such as 25.
Life insurance through work
Group life insurance often names a beneficiary on a form you filled in years ago. If that beneficiary is a young child, the same problem arises. We check your designations so the money goes into the trust or to a trustee you have named.
New homes in Seaton
Buying from a builder: why your power of attorney matters before closing
The City of Pickering describes Seaton as a community planned for about 61,000 residents, and much of it is sold before it is built. Closings can be a year or more after you sign.
A great deal can change between signing with a builder and getting the keys. If you are travelling, ill or injured when the closing documents need signing, a continuing power of attorney for property lets the person you chose sign the mortgage and closing documents for you, since an attorney can do anything with your property that you could do, except make a will. Your lender will want to see the document, so it should be properly signed, witnessed and in a form banks accept.
If you die before closing
An agreement of purchase and sale usually binds your estate. Your estate trustee may have to complete the purchase, or negotiate with the builder, and they will need clear powers in the will to buy, sell, mortgage and hold real estate. A will made before you bought, or no will at all, may leave that unclear.
After you move in
How you and your partner take title, jointly or as tenants in common, decides whether the house passes automatically to the survivor or under each person’s will. We explain the choice when we act on your purchase; see our Pickering real estate page. If you have not signed with the builder yet, our pre-construction agreement review is $450 + HST.
Why Wannes Law
A Toronto law firm that keeps you informed
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A licensed Ontario lawyer
Rosalie Wannes, licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, is responsible for your file from start to finish.
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Fees before you commit
Instant online quotes and published flat fees, so you know the cost before you retain us.
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Every step explained
Plain-language explanations of what happens, what you provide and what we handle, at every stage.
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Direct access
Reach your lawyer and law clerk directly by phone and email while your matter is underway.
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Sign in person or remotely
Meet at our Sheppard Ave E office in Toronto, or review documents by video and courier the originals.
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English, Armenian and Arabic
Talk through your matter in the language you are most comfortable with.
Packages
Which package fits a Pickering household
Every package includes estate planning advice from a lawyer licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, and the price is fixed before you book.
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Couples wills
Two wills with the same guardian and trust terms, plus powers of attorney for property and personal care for each of you. The usual choice for parents.
$1,750 + HST -
Single will package
A will and both powers of attorney for one person, such as a single parent or a grandparent who lives with the family.
$1,000 + HST -
Power of attorney package
Both powers of attorney on their own, for someone whose will is current.
$500 + HST -
Will only, or primary & secondary wills
A will on its own, or two wills for owners of private company shares.
$750 or $2,500 + HST
Later on
What your Pickering estate trustee will face
Pickering is in Durham Region, so a Pickering estate is dealt with by the Superior Court of Justice in Oshawa, not in Toronto, even though Scarborough is just across the Rouge River.
Probate in Oshawa
- Applications go to the court for the area where the person lived: for Pickering, the Oshawa courthouse at 150 Bond Street East
- They can be filed by email
- Our Pickering probate page explains the steps
Grandparents in the home
- Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census found 19% of Pickering children aged 0 to 14 living with at least one grandparent (The Daily, July 2022)
- If a grandparent contributed to the house, record whether it was a gift or a loan
- Each adult in the house should have their own will and powers of attorney
Choosing the estate trustee
- Someone organized who will deal with the court, the bank and the tax return
- A backup, in case your first choice can’t act
- If both of you die, often the same person as the guardian, or deliberately someone different to share the load
Fees
Flat fees
Wills are signed with two witnesses at our Toronto office. A visit to your Pickering home or to hospital, such as Lakeridge Health’s Ajax Pickering Hospital, adds $500 + HST, only where a medical or mobility reason makes coming in difficult. The person making the will must have full mental capacity. Services in English, Armenian and Arabic. See all our legal fees.
Get your instant quoteQuestions
Pickering wills questions
We just bought a new home in Pickering. Do we need new wills?
If you have no wills, yes. If you have older ones, review them: a new house, a new mortgage or a new child are the usual reasons a will stops fitting. Couples wills with both powers of attorney are $1,750 + HST.
Can I name my sister as guardian and my brother to manage the money?
Yes. Your will can name one person as guardian and another as trustee of the children’s inheritance. Many parents like that separation, because it gives the children two adults looking out for them.
What if I’m out of the country when my new house closes?
A continuing power of attorney for property lets the person you name sign the closing documents. Ask your lender early whether it will accept the power of attorney for the mortgage.
Where is probate filed for someone who lived in Pickering?
With the Superior Court of Justice for Durham Region, at 150 Bond Street East, Oshawa. The application can be filed by email.
Do you have an office in Pickering?
No. Our only office is in Toronto, at 3319 Sheppard Ave E, where wills are signed. We can come to a Pickering home or hospital for $500 + HST where a medical or mobility reason makes coming in difficult.
Areas We Serve
Wills across Durham Region and the GTA
We prepare wills for families in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and across the GTA. For real estate and other services in Pickering, see our Pickering page.
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Scarborough
Wills & powers of attorney for Scarborough clients. Our office is on Sheppard Ave E.
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North York
Wills & powers of attorney for North York clients.
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Markham
Wills & powers of attorney for Markham clients.
Here to help
Name a guardian before the next closing date.
Choose a package and see the price, or book a free 15-minute call first.
Prefer to talk now? Call (647) 707-7718 · Service in English, Armenian and Arabic