If you are facing a dispute over an estate and want to find alternatives to court for estate litigation, there are practical options worth considering. Taking a dispute to court can be stressful, expensive, and often takes years to resolve, especially with Ontario’s backlogged court system. Fortunately, with the guidance of an experienced estate lawyer, you can explore other ways to resolve the matter more efficiently and with less conflict. Mediation, arbitration, and med-arb are all effective alternatives that may help you avoid the courtroom entirely.

Taking on the role of an estate executor is a big responsibility and, when someone passes away, your duties will be key to settling the will. You are not just handing out inheritances — you are legally responsible for managing everything the deceased left behind, from debts to taxes to property. If things are not handled properly, executors can sometimes be held personally liable.

Challenging a will if you are unhappy with how a loved one's estate was handled is a common occurrence. Many people believe that only homemade wills can be challenged, while wills prepared by lawyers are ironclad. That is not true. Any will can be challenged in Ontario if you have the right reasons. As estate litigators, we are well versed in the legal reasons you may or may not be able to contest a will and your rights throughout the process. To help steer you in the right direction as to whether to contest a will, these are a few of the things you should consider before you go down this path.