Fallon Law offers flat fees for many of our services.
After your complimentary consultation we’ll let you know what cost you can expect.
Single Wills
Having a Will allows you to ensure that your loved ones are cared for according to your wishes. Dying without a Will prevents your assets from being distributed for one year, and can be especially problematic when there is no one in Ontario to administer the estate, or when there are minor beneficiaries, a common-law spouse, or a beneficiary who relies on ODSP.
Multiple Wills
Multiple Wills per client may be a way to effectively deal with assets in multiple jurisdictions, or to avoid probate tax on certain assets. If you own shares in a private corporation, valuable personal articles and effects, or a home eligible for the first-dealings exemption, you may be a candidate for multiple Will-planning.
Surrogacy Planning
Growing a family through surrogacy or with help from third-party gametes requires careful Estate Planning. It is important to ensure that Trusts and Guardianship provisions for unborn children carried by a surrogate do not fail, and to note responsibilities as to preventing consanguinity in Wills and POAs. It is also a good practice to document consents to uses of cryopreserved reproductive materials.
Powers of Attorney
Power of Attorney documents allow you to choose someone else to make decisions on your behalf, for example, if you should become mentally incapable of making decisions for yourself due to cognitive decline or a traumatic brain injury. Without POAs in place, a guardian would need to be appointed by the court if the person loses capacity.
Trusts
Trusts may come into existence upon death or during life. Some benefits of settling a trust include: protecting assets for young beneficiaries, preserving income-tested government benefits (e.g. ODSP), allowing a loved one to stay in a home during their life, and planning for incapacity. Trusts offer privacy and flexibility.
Trustee Advisory Services
Trustees have legal obligations at law, and it is important to obtain legal advice to ensure those obligations are being met. Clients often do not understand how trusts work so, to protect against liability, it is advisable to seek help from a lawyer. We can assist with resolutions, passings of accounts, and trustee compensation claims, among other services.
Estate Administration
When a person passes away, very often someone needs to apply to become an Estate Trustee to administer the estate. An Estate Trustee is a role that comes with legal obligations and possible liability. It is therefore important to obtain legal advice before accepting the role, and to have guidance throughout the administration of an estate.
Will and POA Reviews
If you have had Wills and/or Powers of Attorney prepared elsewhere and would like them to be reviewed, we would be happy to help. You can expect honest feedback in a summary memorandum from us. Oftentimes no changes are needed and you can leave knowing your affairs are in order. If changes are required, you can, of course, instruct us to make new documents for you.
Estate Planning Assessment
It is our job to help you find the Estate Plan that works best for you. If you would like to engage us for a consultation, we would be happy deliver a memorandum outlining options which may be available to you. If you are candidate to settle a trust during your lifetime, we will recommend you engage us for an Estate Planning Assessment.
Guardianships
If a person is no longer capable of making decisions for themselves and does not have Powers of Attorney in place, it may be necessary to obtain a Guardianship order from the court. We can assist with statutory Guardianship Certificates and uncontested Guardianship applications, and can offer advice to Guardians to help them understand the legal obligations of the role.
Passings of Accounts
People who are acting as Trustees, Guardians, or under Power of Attorney documents may need to “pass their accounts” from time to time. The recommended frequency of passing accounts depends on each particular situation. Passing accounts may be necessary for taking compensation, or to comply with the terms of a trust or Guardianship order.
Other Services
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Please get in touch. Jack Fallon is, time-permitting, often willing to speak at events to educate our communities about Estates Law matters — don’t hesitate to inquire about speaking engagements. If we cannot help you ourselves, we would be happy to introduce to you other professionals we trust, or lawyers in other practice areas, to help you meet your needs.
Fallon Law is committed to serving clients of all backgrounds. We pride ourselves in particular on serving queer, trans/gender diverse, and disability communities. Clients often come to Fallon Law with culturally-specific concerns and planning needs (e.g. Islamic Wills), which we are happy to serve.
Not only can you expect respectful treatment at Fallon Law – you can expect your identity to be seen and thoughtfully considered in the work we do for you.
We Celebrate Diversity
What Sets Us Apart
After we have done any estate planning for you, you are entitled to a free meeting with us every year. Tell us how your life has changed, and we will tell you whether your Will needs to be updated.
Most of the time no changes are needed, so you can go home and rest easy. If you would like to make any updates, we can give you a quote for the work, edit your documents, and have you come in to sign.