Shaikh Law Firm · Serving Ontario
Remove a deceased joint owner’s name from property title.
After the loss of a loved one, we help surviving joint tenants update their property title with clear guidance at every step. Our lawyers review the title, prepare the documents and register your survivorship application.
Survivorship application Ontario cost
$799
Plus HST and disbursements.
For a standard, uncontested application for one residential property. Receive an itemized quote before proceeding.
Request a Written Quote Call 905-795-7757A survivorship application updates Ontario’s land registration records after a joint tenant dies. It removes the deceased owner’s name from title and records the surviving joint owner or owners. The right of survivorship arises on death, but the registered title does not update automatically.
A surviving joint tenant may apply where the right of survivorship remains in place. This often involves a surviving spouse, but can also involve other joint owners. Properties held as tenants in common follow a different estate process.
The application updates the ownership shown on title. It is commonly completed before a sale or refinance, or as a standalone service. It does not add a new owner or discharge an existing mortgage.
Probate is generally not required for property passing to a surviving joint tenant by right of survivorship. Other assets in the deceased’s estate may still require probate. We review the ownership and circumstances to confirm the appropriate process.
Not sure how the property is owned? Start with the property address and any title documents you have. Our team can obtain and review the registered title to determine whether a survivorship application is appropriate.
Clear fees from the outset
Our legal fee for a standard survivorship application is $799 + HST, plus $150 + HST in fixed office disbursements and the government registration charge. Your written quote confirms the scope and total before you proceed.
| Legal fee | $799.00 |
|---|---|
| Fixed office disbursements | $150.00 |
| HST on fees and office disbursements | $123.37 |
| Government electronic registration | $86.42 |
| Estimated total | $1,158.79 |
All amounts are in Canadian dollars. This estimate includes applicable HST and one registration for a standard, uncontested residential application.
Additional property PINs, unusual title issues or separate mortgage work are quoted before proceeding.
For registrations before November 2, 2026, the government registration fee is $85.00 and the estimated total is $1,157.37.
QUOTEGetting your documents ready
Start with proof of death, the property address, and identification for the surviving owner. Our team reviews your records and confirms exactly what is required to update title.
A provincial death certificate or funeral director's certificate. If issued outside Canada, tell us when requesting your quote.
The municipal address and, if available, your transfer/deed or PIN register. If you cannot find the deed, we pull title records directly.
Valid driver's licence or passport for the surviving joint owner(s) for identity verification during document signing.
Details on any outstanding charge/mortgage, or whether there are separation, trust, or co-ownership agreements in effect.
From your first enquiry to updated title
Our team guides you through the documents, signing and registration, with clear instructions at each stage.
Provide the property address and basic details. We confirm the proposed scope, fees and next steps in a written quote.
Once retained, we collect your payment and required documents, review the registered title and confirm the application requirements.
We prepare the documents and arrange an appointment with your lawyer to review and sign them, virtually or in person as appropriate.
We register the survivorship application and provide a final report with title records showing the updated ownership.
Usual completion timeframe
Within 7
business days
We can usually complete a standard application within seven business days after receiving payment and all required documents, depending on our current workload. Timing also depends on your availability to sign and whether any title or document issues require additional work.
Have an upcoming sale or refinancing deadline? Tell us when requesting your quote so we can confirm availability.
Answer four short questions to see whether a survivorship application may be the appropriate next step. If you are unsure about an answer, select “Not sure.”
These are ownership arrangements, not rental arrangements. We can check the title if you are unsure.
For example, a separation, trust or co-ownership agreement, or a dispute about who is entitled to the property.
This checker provides general guidance, not a legal determination. Eligibility depends on review of the title and circumstances. Your selections are used only on this page and are not submitted to our firm.
Answers to common questions about updating property title after a joint owner dies.
For the usual electronic application involving land, a lawyer must sign the required legal statements. Our lawyers review the title and supporting evidence, prepare the application and complete the registration. You do not need to complete a government form before contacting us.
Generally, no land transfer tax is payable on a standard survivorship application that only removes a deceased joint tenant from title and records the surviving owner or owners. The entitlement arises by right of survivorship on death. If the matter also involves adding another owner, buying out an interest or a separate transfer, we review the land transfer tax implications separately.
Property that passes automatically to the surviving joint owner or owners by right of survivorship is generally excluded when calculating Estate Administration Tax, commonly called probate tax. Other assets of the deceased’s estate may still require probate and be subject to the tax. Registered joint ownership alone does not resolve every question about beneficial ownership or entitlement.
Yes. Under section 26(1) of Ontario’s Family Law Act, if a spouse dies owning an interest in a matrimonial home as a joint tenant with a third person and not with the other spouse, the joint tenancy is deemed severed immediately before death. The deceased’s interest therefore does not pass to that third person by survivorship. Tell us if the property was a matrimonial home and a parent, child or another person was on title so we can assess whether this rule applies.
A name difference does not necessarily prevent the application. Tell us about differences such as a maiden or married surname, spelling variation or missing middle name. We will review the records and confirm whether supporting identification, a declaration or other evidence is required to establish that they relate to the same person.
A funeral director’s certificate may be acceptable evidence of death; a government-issued death certificate is not the only potentially acceptable document. The evidence must satisfy the land registrar. Tell us which document you have, and we will confirm whether an original, certified copy or further evidence is needed. Any separate lender requirements will also be reviewed.
A survivorship application does not discharge the mortgage or, by itself, change the mortgage obligations. Tell us about any existing mortgage so we can review the lender’s requirements. Any additional mortgage or refinancing work will be identified and quoted separately.
Yes. A survivorship application can be coordinated with a sale, but it must be registered before the transfer to the buyer. Tell us your closing date as early as possible so we can arrange the title update and identify any issues that could affect closing.
A standard survivorship application does not apply where the deceased was the sole registered owner. The property must be dealt with through the estate, and a transmission application and probate may be required. We can review the title and estate documents to confirm the appropriate steps. Read more about probate in Ontario.
No. It may also apply to common-law partners, relatives or other owners who held title as joint tenants with an effective right of survivorship. The relationship alone does not determine eligibility. We review the ownership arrangements and any circumstances that may affect the survivor’s entitlement.
We offer virtual appointments for clients with properties across Ontario. Our team will confirm whether remote signing is suitable for your matter and explain the identification, document and signing requirements. In-person appointments can also be arranged.
In-person appointments are available by arrangement. Remote signing is available for eligible transactions.
Clear fees. Simple next steps.
Need to remove a deceased joint owner's name from property title? Complete the form below to receive our fees, payment instructions and document checklist by email.
Prefer to speak with our team? Call (905) 795-7757