Named Executor in Ontario? Your First 30 Days

Being named executor, called an estate trustee in Ontario, often comes at the hardest possible time. The first month is less about legal forms and more about protecting the estate and getting organized. Here is what to focus on.

Week 1: Find the will and secure the basics

• Locate the original signed will. Check the home, a safety deposit box, and the lawyer who drafted it.

• Order several copies of the death certificate. Banks, insurers and government agencies each ask for one.

• Secure the home: change locks if needed, keep insurance active, and tell the insurer the home may be vacant.

• Redirect mail so bills and statements come to you.

Weeks 2 to 3: Make an inventory

List everything the person owned and owed: bank and investment accounts, real estate, vehicles, pensions, life insurance, credit cards, loans and utilities. Note whether each asset is held jointly or has a named beneficiary. Those assets often pass outside the will and outside probate.

Weeks 3 to 4: Notify and cancel

• Notify banks and investment firms so accounts are frozen and protected.

• Contact Service Canada about CPP and OAS, and apply for the CPP death benefit if eligible.

• Cancel credit cards, subscriptions, health card, driver's licence and passport.

• Tell the CRA about the death.

What not to do yet

• Do not hand out money or belongings to beneficiaries, even if the will seems clear.

• Do not pay debts out of your own pocket.

• Do not sell property until you know whether probate is needed.

Distributing too early is the most common way executors become personally liable, especially for unpaid taxes.

When to get help

If you live far away, work full time, or the estate includes a home or investments, an Agent for Executor can take on this work while you stay in control of decisions.

Regal Solutions is a Toronto Agent for Executor led by a Certified Executor Advisor. Book a free consultation at regalsolutions.ca or call 416-887-6721.

This article is general information about Ontario estates as of November 2026. It is not legal or tax advice. Speak with a lawyer or accountant about your situation.