Probate Applications · Toronto & GTA
Shaikh Law Firm’s Toronto probate lawyers assist executors and proposed estate trustees in Toronto with applications with a Will, without a Will and for qualifying small estates. We also handle contested probate applications.
Practical Guidance for Executors & Estate Trustees
Shaikh Law Firm assists executors and proposed estate trustees with probate applications, court appointments and contested probate matters. We explain the requirements, prepare the necessary documents and guide you through the work covered by your retainer.
Whether there is a Will, no Will or a disagreement about who should administer the estate, our team reviews your circumstances and identifies the application assistance you need.
We help Toronto clients understand the information required, the applicable fees and the steps involved. In-person and virtual appointments are available, and we assist clients throughout Ontario.
For a broader explanation of the requirements and estate trustee responsibilities, read our Probate in Ontario guide .
Clear scope and fees: Our fixed-fee packages apply to qualifying, uncontested probate applications. Contested matters are charged at lawyer's applicable hourly rate.
Uncontested & Contested Probate · Executor Appointments
Shaikh Law Firm assists Toronto clients with uncontested and contested probate applications, executor appointments and applications for appointment as estate trustee. We assess the Will, estate assets, proposed applicant and any disagreements to identify the appropriate legal steps.
We review the Will and codicils, assess the proposed executor’s circumstances and prepare the application for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee With a Will. We also assess issues involving missing originals, multiple Wills or questions about how the Will was signed.
Where the deceased did not leave a valid Will, we assist with applications for appointment as estate trustee without a Will. Our team reviews the proposed applicant’s entitlement to apply, required consents and notices, and any issues concerning an estate administration bond.
For estates valued at $150,000 or less, we assess whether Ontario’s optional Small Estate Certificate procedure is appropriate. We assist with qualifying applications with or without a Will, including the required documents and identification of the assets to be covered by the certificate.
We advise and represent clients where a probate application is disputed, including disagreements about the validity of a Will or who should be appointed estate trustee. We review the issues, explain the available options and assist with the necessary court proceedings and resolution efforts.
We assist clients seeking court appointment as executor or estate trustee, including situations where a named executor cannot or does not wish to act, or an alternative applicant seeks appointment. We assess the circumstances, supporting evidence, consents, renunciations and any contested appointment issues.
Fees depend on the work required. Our advertised fixed-fee packages apply to qualifying, uncontested probate applications. Contested applications are charged at Toronto probate lawyer's hourly rate of $450 + HST
Fixed Legal Fees · Clear Scope
Shaikh Law Firm offers fixed legal fees for qualifying, uncontested probate applications in Toronto and across Ontario. The applicable fee depends on the application and the estate’s circumstances. We confirm your fees and the services included in writing before work begins.
| Application | Fixed Legal Fee |
|---|---|
| Small Estate Certificate For qualifying applications through Ontario’s simplified small-estate procedure. | $1,800 + HST |
| Probate With a Will For qualifying, uncontested applications where the deceased left a valid Will. | $2,250 + HST |
| Probate Without a Will For qualifying, uncontested applications to appoint an estate trustee without a valid Will. | $2,700 + HST |
Additional costs: A fixed office disbursement charge of $189 + HST is additional. Government Estate Administration Tax and applicable third-party expenses are charged separately.
For a detailed cost breakdown and government tax estimate, visit our Ontario probate fees and tax calculator .
What the fixed fee covers: The probate application services identified in your retainer. These packages are not an all-inclusive price for administering the entire estate. Contested proceedings, additional motions, bond arrangements or premiums, valuations, tax work, estate accounting, property transactions and further administration are excluded unless expressly included. Any additional work and associated fees will be confirmed in writing.
From Your Initial Enquiry to the Probate Certificate
Start with our online form. Our team will send you the applicable fees, terms and document requirements, explain how to proceed, and guide you through the application.
Complete our Free Consultation or Get Started form and select the service you need, such as probate with a Will, probate without a Will or a Small Estate Certificate application. If you are unsure which service applies, explain your circumstances in the additional information field.
We email you the applicable fee structure, the documents and information required, our terms and conditions, and instructions for getting started. If your enquiry involves a dispute or additional work, we assess the circumstances and explain the appropriate fee arrangements.
Review our email and reply to confirm your acceptance of the terms and conditions. Provide the requested information and documents in accordance with our instructions. We will explain any outstanding requirements and arrangements for original documents.
Once your engagement is confirmed and the necessary information is available, we begin work on the file. We review the estate documents, prepare the application materials, and arrange the required signing and notices. We contact you if clarification or further documents are needed.
We submit the completed application to the appropriate court and address routine requests for corrections or further information within the agreed scope. Any additional proceedings or work outside the retainer are discussed separately.
Once the court approves the application and issues the certificate, we provide it to you and explain the next steps relevant to our retainer. The estate trustee’s ongoing administration responsibilities continue after the certificate is issued.
Court approval and timing: The court determines whether a certificate will be issued. Timing depends on the application, the court’s workload and any further requirements. Contested matters may involve additional steps and court proceedings.
Documents & Information to Get Started
After you submit our enquiry form, we email you the applicable fees, terms and a document checklist. To proceed, reply confirming your acceptance and provide the information requested for your estate. The following outlines what we generally need.
Reply accepting the terms and conditions provided in our email. Include the proposed applicant’s full name, address, telephone number, email address, relationship to the deceased and place of residence.
Provide the deceased’s full legal name, any other names used, date of death and last residential address, together with proof of death.
If there is a Will, provide a copy of it and any codicils, and tell us where the originals are held. We will explain arrangements for delivering originals. If there is no Will, let us know.
Provide the names, contact details and relationships of beneficiaries or family members requested by our team. Tell us about any beneficiary who is a minor or may require a legal representative.
Provide an outline of bank accounts, investments, real estate, vehicles, business interests and other estate assets, with available date-of-death values and supporting statements.
Identify jointly owned assets, ownership shares, designated beneficiaries and any mortgages on real estate. This information helps us assess which assets are relevant to the application.
Tell us about any previous probate application, court correspondence, objection, competing applicant or dispute about the Will or executor’s appointment. Provide copies of relevant documents.
Complete the identification and verification steps requested by our team. We will explain any additional documents, consents, signatures or payment arrangements required to move your application forward.
You can make your initial enquiry before everything is ready. If a document is missing or information is unavailable, tell us so we can explain the next steps.
Follow our document-delivery instructions. Use the initial enquiry form to provide a brief overview. Our team will explain how to provide identification, estate records and original documents. This checklist is an intake guide; the precise requirements depend on the estate and application.
In-Person & Virtual Appointments · Ontario-Wide Service
Shaikh Law Firm offers both in-person and virtual appointments for Toronto probate clients. Choose the appointment format that suits you, with clear guidance on your application, required documents and next steps.
Serving Toronto and clients throughout Ontario. We assist executors and proposed estate trustees with probate applications with a Will, without a Will and for qualifying small estates. Tell us where the deceased lived and where the estate assets are located so we can assess the appropriate application and filing requirements.
Shaikh Law Firm
Meet with our probate team in person by appointment at our downtown Toronto location, or arrange a virtual consultation. We assist clients in Toronto and across Ontario with all forms of probate applications, including contested matters and estate trustee appointments.
Shaikh Law Firm — TorontoBy appointment only, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please book and confirm your meeting arrangements before attending.
Client experiences
Review excerpts from clients who sought assistance with probate applications.
“I would recommend them for probate applications for sure.”
“The team laid everything out clearly, keeping the steps straightforward and comprehensible…”
Your Questions Answered
Answers about our probate services, fees, appointments and how to get your application started.
We assist with probate applications with a Will, without a Will and for qualifying small estates. Our services also include contested probate applications and executor or estate trustee appointments. The work included and applicable fees depend on the matter and are set out in your retainer.
Our fixed legal fees for qualifying, uncontested applications are $1,800 + HST for Small Estate Certificate applications, $2,250 + HST for applications with a Will, and $2,700 + HST for applications without a Will.
Office disbursements of $189 + HST, government Estate Administration Tax and applicable third-party expenses are additional. Contested matters and additional proceedings are quoted separately. Visit our probate fees and tax calculator page for a detailed breakdown.
Complete our Free Consultation or Get Started form and select the probate service you need. We email you the applicable fees, terms and conditions, document requirements and instructions for proceeding.
Reply confirming your acceptance and provide the requested information in accordance with our instructions. Once your engagement is confirmed and the necessary information is available, we begin preparing your file.
No. You may submit an initial enquiry before everything is ready. Tell us whether there is a Will and briefly describe the estate or issue. Our email will explain what we need to proceed. If a document is missing, let us know so we can discuss the next steps.
We generally request the Will and codicils, if any, proof of death, the deceased’s last residence, the proposed applicant’s details, beneficiary information, and details of estate assets and their available date-of-death values.
We also ask about any previous application, court correspondence or dispute. Our team provides matter-specific instructions for identification, signing and delivery of original documents.
Yes. We advise and represent clients in contested probate applications, including disputes about a Will or who should be appointed estate trustee. Explain the disagreement and any existing court proceedings when you enquire.
Contested matters are assessed individually and are not included in our advertised fixed-fee packages for qualifying, uncontested applications.
Yes. We assist with applications for appointment as estate trustee, including circumstances where a named executor cannot or does not wish to act, or an alternative applicant seeks appointment. We review the circumstances and explain the documents, consents and court steps relevant to the matter.
Yes. We assist with applications without a Will. We review the proposed applicant’s circumstances, family information and estate assets, and assess the required consents, notices and any bond issue. The applicable work and fee are confirmed before proceeding.
No. The fixed fee covers the application services identified in your retainer. Further administration, estate accounting, tax work, property transactions, disputes and additional court proceedings are separate unless expressly included.
The estate trustee’s responsibilities continue after the certificate is issued.
Yes. We offer in-person appointments in Toronto and at our Mississauga head office, as well as virtual appointments. Please contact our team to arrange a suitable time and confirm the meeting location before attending.
Yes. We assist clients across Ontario. Let us know where the deceased lived and where the estate assets are located. Our team will assess the appropriate application and filing requirements and explain arrangements for appointments and documents.
Yes. We offer an initial free 15-minute consultation to discuss your probate enquiry and next steps. Submitting the form does not itself establish a lawyer-client relationship.
Information for Estate Trustees
Explore our guides to understand the probate process, application costs and estate assets. For assistance with your circumstances, contact our probate team.
Free 15-Minute Consultation
Complete the form below and select the probate service you need. Our team will email you the applicable fee structure, terms and conditions, document requirements and instructions for proceeding.
If your matter involves a contested application or a disputed executor appointment, briefly explain the circumstances in the additional information field. You may enquire before every document is ready.
Prefer to speak with our team?
Call (905) 795-7757
info@slclawyer.ca
Submitting this form does not establish a lawyer-client relationship. Representation is subject to conflict checks, agreement on the terms of engagement and our firm’s confirmation that we are acting for you.