Toronto Estate Planning Lawyers

The unpredictability of life makes it important to plan for the future, whatever it may hold. Regardless of the size of your estate, the value of your assets, or whether you are married or have children, you will need a succession plan.

The Toronto estate lawyers at Baker & Company have been helping clients protect their estates and plan for succession for more than 30 years. We are here to discuss your short-term and long-term goals, family dynamics, and other circumstances to establish an estate plan tailored to your needs. You spend your lifetime building your estate; let our skilled lawyers provide you with peace of mind in knowing that your wishes will be fulfilled.

Will Planning 

Deciding what will happen to your assets upon your death is critical in ensuring your family and loved ones are taken care of when you are gone, and that your assets are distributed in the way that you want them to be. A will is the best way to express your choices and preferences with respect to what should happen after your death. A well-drafted, up-to-date will should be the cornerstone of your entire estate plan.

If you die without a will (known as “dying intestate”), so-called intestacy rules apply, and your assets will be equitably distributed amongst your living relatives (spouse, children, etc.). This may result in your assets not being distributed in the way in which you would have wanted. Moreover, your estate will be frozen until an executor can be appointed, which means none of your living relatives will have access to the information necessary to pay a mortgage, taxes, and other expenses. This can ultimately negatively affect the financial future of those you hope to provide for.

At Baker & Company, we take care to ensure all of your wishes are accurately reflected in a custom-drafted, and regularly updated will.  Our strategic, compassionate, and highly skilled Toronto wills lawyers will sit down with you to thoroughly understand your goals, your concerns, and your unique circumstances. We will ensure your will maximizes wealth transfer to your dependants and minimizes potential legal and financial risks.

Succession Planning 

If you are a business owner or entrepreneur, it is critical to think about the future of your venture.  A well-drafted and carefully thought out succession plan can address unexpected events (accident, illness, or death), help the transfer of your business go smoothly, and provide financial security for your family.

At Baker & Company our estate and corporate lawyers have been helping business owners plan for the legacy of their business for more than 30 years. We have advised owners of businesses of all sizes and across all industries who have relied on our knowledge and expertise to ensure that their risk is managed and that the business is positioned for continued growth and success.

Inheritance Planning 

Inheritance planning is an important element of a broader estate plan and an excellent means of ensuring your children are provided for after you are gone.  Inheritance planning should be carefully undertaken in order to avoid legal and financial pitfalls. A whole host of situations must be considered and planned for.

For instance:

• Do you want to protect your child’s inheritance from their spouse?
• Do you want to minimize probate and other tax implications?
• Should you give your children cash gifts in advance of your death?
• How will planning for an inheritance fit in with the rest of your estate plan?

All such questions should be carefully discussed with a highly experienced estates lawyer. At Baker & Company we have been helping clients plan for the financial well-being of their children for more than 30 years. We are strategic, pragmatic, and highly-knowledgeable, and will work to ensure the best interests of your loved ones are taken care of.

Our Other Estate Planning Services 

Our services include:

• Asset Protection Strategies;
• Lifetime Transfer of Homes and other Property;
• Powers of Attorney;
• Probate & Estate Administration; and
• Trusts.

Baker & Company: Helping You Plan for Peace of Mind while Maximizing the Value of Your Estate 

At Baker & Company, our Toronto estates lawyers can help you establish an estate plan tailored to your needs. We have extensive experience and expertise in providing you with estate planning advice and implementing your desired plan. Call us at 416-777-0100 or contact us online for a consultation.