You've just been named executor of an estate. This guide walks you through every stage — from your first 48 hours after a death to the final distribution of assets — province by province, step by step.
Buy Instant Download — CA$9.99 →Canadian Edition 2026 · 45 pages · PDF format
Before you spend a dollar, here are the four most important things to do in the first 72 hours after a death — drawn directly from the handbook.
Those four steps prevent the most common first-week mistakes that create headaches months later. Want the full asset inventory template, the probate roadmap by province, and the CRA final return walkthrough? Read on.
A visual map of typical estate administration in Canada. Your timeline will vary — simple estates can close in 6 months; complex estates with real estate, multiple beneficiaries, or CRA disputes can take 18+ months.
Probate fees vary enormously across Canada. The handbook includes the full provincial probate process, application forms, and current fee schedules. This is the snapshot.
| Province | Court of probate | Probate fee structure (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Superior Court of Justice | $0 on first $50,000; ~1.5% on remainder (Estate Administration Tax) |
| British Columbia | BC Supreme Court | $0 on first $25,000; $6/$1,000 on $25K–$50K; $14/$1,000 above $50K |
| Alberta | Court of King's Bench | Flat-fee tiers from $35 (under $10K) to $525 (over $250K) |
| Quebec | Notarial wills: no probate; non-notarial: Quebec Superior Court | No probate tax for notarial wills; ~$110 court verification for others |
| Saskatchewan | Court of King's Bench | $7 per $1,000 of estate value |
| Manitoba | Court of King's Bench | Probate fees abolished 2020 — no provincial probate tax |
| Nova Scotia | Probate Court | Tiered: ~$1,000 for an $200K estate; ~$1,800 for $500K |
| New Brunswick | Probate Court | $5 per $1,000 of estate value |
| Newfoundland | Supreme Court | $0.60 per $100 above $1,000 of estate value |
| PEI | Supreme Court | Tiered: $50 (under $10K) to $400 + $4/$1,000 above $100K |
Snapshot for orientation only. Probate processes and fees change. The handbook includes the current application forms by province and walks through which assets are subject to probate (and which aren't).
Anyone named executor in a parent's, spouse's, or sibling's will, with no prior experience
Adult children of recently widowed parents who anticipate executor duties soon
Co-executors who need a shared roadmap before the work begins
Anyone who's been told "don't worry, the lawyer handles it" — and wants to know what's actually happening
From court records and trust officers, the same expensive mistakes appear again and again. Avoid these and you've avoided the bulk of executor disasters.
If you distribute funds and the CRA later assesses additional tax owed by the estate, you as executor are personally liable for the shortfall. Always wait for the clearance certificate.
Any deposit into your personal account from estate funds creates a presumption of mismanagement. Open an "Estate of [Name], by [You], Executor" account immediately.
The deceased's final T1 return is due either April 30 of the year following the death, or six months after the date of death — whichever is later. Late filing triggers penalties on the estate.
"You'll have your share by Christmas" creates expectations you usually can't meet. The honest answer is "9–18 months, sometimes longer if probate is delayed." Set the right expectation early.
Adult children who lived at the property, common-law partners not on title, and family members with verbal agreements can all create equitable claims that delay or block a sale. The handbook covers what to confirm before listing.
Our 9-minute deep dive on the executor's first 30 days — probate triggers, CRA notification, beneficiary communication.
A free 12-page primer: the 5 most costly executor mistakes — and a 6-month roadmap for administering a Canadian estate. Enter your email and download instantly.
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