01
The first 15 minutes are free
Every matter starts with a free 15-minute call. You tell us what is happening. We tell you whether we can help, what the work involves, and, in most cases, what it will cost. There is no obligation to go further.
02
Flat fees, quoted before you commit
For most of our work the fee is a fixed amount, agreed in writing before you retain us:
- Wills and powers of attorney, for one person or a couple, including Islamic wills
- Probate applications, from the first meeting to the issued Certificate of Appointment and the Estate Information Return
- Residential real estate: purchases, sales and refinances
The quote states what the fee covers. If, part way through, the matter turns out to need something the quote did not cover, we tell you before that work starts and agree the cost with you. You will not receive an invoice for work you did not know about.
03
What is charged separately
Some amounts are paid to third parties and are always in addition to our fee. We list the ones expected for your matter in the quote:
- Estate Administration Tax on a probate application, paid to the Ontario government. Estimate it here.
- Land transfer tax on a real estate purchase
- Court filing, registration and search fees
- Title insurance on a purchase or refinance
- Courier, bank and similar out-of-pocket costs
- HST on legal fees and on some of the above
04
When work is billed by time
Some work cannot be sized in advance: an estate with unusual assets, a dispute between beneficiaries, or advice that goes beyond a single document. For that work we explain the hourly rate, give a written estimate, and tell you if the estimate is likely to be exceeded before it is. You can set a cap.
05
Notary and commissioner fees
Notarizations, certified true copies and commissioned affidavits are $30 for the first document or signature and $20 for each additional one, plus HST. Documents that need to be drafted rather than only notarized are quoted before the appointment. Notary services.
06
Paying from an estate
Reasonable legal fees for a probate application and the administration that follows are an expense of the estate, not of the trustee personally. Where estate funds are not yet accessible, we can usually arrange for fees to be paid once they are.
Questions about fees
Yes. The first call is 15 minutes, there is no charge, and there is no obligation to proceed. We use it to understand your situation, tell you whether and how we can help, and give you a fee quote where we can.
Flat fees for most of what we do: wills and powers of attorney, probate applications, and residential real estate transactions. Where the work cannot be predicted in advance, we explain the hourly rate and give a written estimate before starting.
Amounts paid to third parties: Estate Administration Tax, land transfer tax, court filing and registration fees, title insurance, courier and bank charges, and HST. The quote lists the ones expected for your matter so there are no surprises.
The estate. Reasonable legal fees for administering an estate are a proper expense of the estate, and a trustee who pays them personally at the start is reimbursed once estate funds are available.
Ask us. For estate matters we can often arrange for fees to be paid from the estate once funds are released, rather than by the trustee up front.