What Is Probate?

Probate is the process of legally establishing the validity of a will.   As a result, the Court confirms the appointment of an Estate Trustee (or Executor).  The Estate Trustee administers and distributes the estate of the deceased person.  An Estate Trustee may be appointed with or without a Will.  If there is a Will, the Court issues a Certificate of Estate Trustee with a Will.  If there is no Will, the Court issues  a Certificate of Estate Trustee Without a Will and the estate is distributed according to Ontario’s intestacy laws.  When a person dies without a Will, they are said to have died “intestate”.

When Is Probate Needed? (more…)