Ontario directory

Wills, Estates & Trusts Law Firms in Durham Region, Ontario

91 law firms.

What does a wills and estates lawyer in Durham Region do?

A Durham Region wills and estates lawyer helps you plan what happens to your property and your care, then helps your family carry that plan out after a death. Day to day that means drafting wills, setting up powers of attorney, and guiding an estate trustee through probate. When a will has to be validated or an estate trustee formally appointed, the application goes to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which for Durham sits at the courthouse in Oshawa at 150 Bond Street East.

Families across Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Ajax, and Clarington use these lawyers for the same handful of tasks: a first will, an update after a marriage or divorce, or help settling an estate when a parent dies. Ask whether a firm handles both the planning side and the administration side, since not every practice does both.

How do probate and estate tax work in Ontario?

In Ontario, probate is the court's confirmation of an estate trustee's authority, granted through a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee from the Superior Court of Justice. Banks and land registry offices often won't release assets until they see it. Not every estate needs probate, but real property or a large bank balance usually triggers it.

When an estate is probated, it pays the Estate Administration Tax. Ontario charges no tax on the first $50,000 of estate value and $15 for every $1,000 above that, rounded up to the nearest thousand. The estate trustee also files an Estate Information Return with the Ministry of Finance after the certificate is issued, so getting the valuation right matters.

Why do powers of attorney matter?

Good planning covers more than death. Powers of attorney for property and for personal care let someone you trust manage your finances and your care decisions if you can't, and both fall under Ontario's Substitute Decisions Act, 1992. Without them, your family may have to apply to court for guardianship.

A property power of attorney can take effect while you're still capable, often as a convenience, while a personal care one generally applies only once you're found incapable. Signing a will and both documents at one appointment keeps the plan consistent if your health changes.

How do you choose a wills and estates firm in Durham Region?

Start with a firm that does the specific work you need, whether that's a straightforward will, a plan for a business owner or a blended family, or an estate already being administered. Ask who drafts the documents, how the firm charges, and whether it can guide the estate trustee later, not just write the will today. Firms are spread across Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Ajax, and Clarington, so there's usually one close to you.

You can confirm any lawyer's standing on the Law Society of Ontario directory. Browse the wills, estates & trusts firms in Durham Region below.

Abrahams Law

2 lawyers

Abrahams Law Professional Corporation is a full-service firm based in Pickering that serves Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area. Its team brings more than 75 combined years of experience across real estate, imm…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawImmigration LawImmigration LawFamily LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Aitchison Law Office

2 lawyers · Est. 1976

Aitchison Law Office is a family-run general law firm in Oshawa, Ontario, founded in 1976. It's operated by James Aitchison and his two daughters, Kelly and Laurie, who handle real estate, family law, wills and estate…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawFamily LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

Ajax Law Chambers

2 lawyers

Ajax Law Chambers is a general practice law firm in Ajax, Ontario with two lawyers, Robert DellaLibera and John Tucciarone. The firm handles wills and estates, family law, health law and notarizations, along with real…

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsFamily LawFamily LawHealth LawHealth LawReal Estate LawReal Estate Law

Aleksandr Bolotenko Professional Corporation is a full-service law firm in Oshawa, Ontario, where Aleksandr Bolotenko has practiced for more than 45 years. The firm handles estate litigation, estate planning, civil li…

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawReal Estate LawReal Estate Law

Alibhai Law

1 lawyer

Alibhai Law is a family law firm in Oshawa that has served the Durham Region for more than 17 years. It handles separation, divorce, custody, support, property division, and related agreements, and its lawyer is also …

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Appadoo Law P.C.

1 lawyer

Appadoo Law P.C. is a small law firm serving Toronto, Scarborough, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Whitby, and other communities across the Greater Toronto Area. It focuses on criminal defence, personal injury, and wills and…

Criminal DefenceCriminal DefencePersonal InjuryPersonal InjuryWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsNotary & Commissioner ServicesNotary & Commissioner Services

Asad Ali Jaan Law Professional Corporation is a sole practice in Ajax, Ontario run by lawyer Asad Ali Jaan. It handles real estate, family law, wills and estate planning, immigration and refugee matters, and notarizat…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawFamily LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsImmigration LawImmigration Law

Benjamin Law

6 lawyers · Est. 2010

Benjamin Law is a personal injury and long-term disability firm with offices in North York, Brampton, and Ajax, serving clients across the Greater Toronto Area. Anthony Stephen Benjamin founded the firm in 2010, and i…

Personal InjuryPersonal InjuryEmployment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Bharath Law Professional Corporation

1 lawyer · Est. 2021

Bharath Law Professional Corporation is a Whitby-based firm serving all of Ontario in real estate, corporate, and estate matters, with services also offered in criminal defence, litigation, immigration, and employment…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Borden Family Law

2 lawyers

Borden Family Law is a family law firm based in Oshawa, Ontario, with a second office in Thornhill. It focuses exclusively on family law, handling matters like divorce, child custody, support, and property division. T…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Brunt Law

2 lawyers

Brunt Law is a small firm in downtown Whitby, Ontario, practicing real estate, wills and powers of attorney, estate law, and corporate law. Gerald Brunt has served Durham Region clients for over 30 years, and Jara Bru…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

Byron Street Legal

3 lawyers · Est. 2014

Byron Street Legal is a law firm in Whitby, Ontario, founded by Denise Branton in 2014 as Branton Law and rebranded in 2025. It practices business and corporate/commercial law, commercial real estate, and wills and es…

Business & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawReal Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Cohen LLP

4 lawyers

Cohen LLP is a boutique law firm with offices in Toronto and Pickering, Ontario. It focuses on residential real estate and estate planning, including wills, powers of attorney, and estate and probate matters, and it a…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Corbin's Law

1 lawyer

Corbin's Law is a Toronto-area firm offering real estate, business and corporate, and wills and estates services, with offices in Toronto and Pickering (Durham). It was founded by lawyer Kyle Corbin to represent every…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Creighton Law LLP

5 lawyers · Est. 1885

Creighton Law LLP is a full-service law firm in Oshawa and one of the oldest firms in Canada, founded in 1885. It serves Durham Region, the Greater Toronto Area and the Tri-County area in family law, wills and estates…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate LawImmigration LawImmigration Law

Cubias Law

1 lawyer · Est. 2013

Cubias Law is a sole-practitioner firm founded by Graciela Cubias in 2013, with offices in Apsley and Ajax, Ontario (and a Bancroft mailing address). It handles real estate closings, wills and estates, corporate and c…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Devry Smith Frank LLP

51 lawyers · Est. 1964

Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) is a full-service law firm established in Toronto in 1964, with over 155 lawyers and support staff. It has offices in Toronto, Barrie, Whitby, Midland, Collingwood, and Haliburton, and prac…

Personal InjuryPersonal InjuryFamily LawFamily LawCriminal DefenceCriminal DefenceWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Diamond Fischman & Pushman

3 lawyers · Est. 1969

Diamond Fischman & Pushman is a real estate law firm in downtown Oshawa that has served Durham Region since 1969. The firm focuses mainly on residential real estate but also handles commercial transactions, wills and …

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsFamily LawFamily LawBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

Doss Law Professional Corporation

2 lawyers · Est. 2008

Doss Law Professional Corporation is a Canadian firm founded by Marlenne Doss in 2008, serving clients across the Greater Toronto Area from offices in Toronto and Durham. It offers wills and estates, estate administra…

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate LawTax LawTax LawImmigration LawImmigration Law

Dunnis Law Professional Corporation is a small firm in Oshawa focused on family law and estate planning, including wills, powers of attorney and estate administration. It also offers notary services and bills clients …

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsNotary & Commissioner ServicesNotary & Commissioner Services

Dye Law

1 lawyer

Dye Law is a sole-practitioner firm in Ontario led by Valerie D. Dye. The firm handles family law, civil litigation, wills and estates, real estate, and human rights matters, and it also notarizes and commissions docu…

Family LawFamily LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate LawLegal aidLegal Aid

E Is For Estates

1 lawyer

E Is For Estates is a Whitby based firm focused on estate planning, administration, and litigation. It's led by Erin Watson, who earned her law degree from the University of Ottawa and was called to the Ontario Bar in…

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Ecclestone, Hamer, Poisson, Neuwald & Freeman (EHPNF) is a boutique law firm based in downtown Toronto with a second office in Whitby, serving the Greater Toronto Area. It practices family law, wills and estates, real…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsReal Estate LawReal Estate LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Elm Law

16 lawyers

Elm Law is a Whitby-based firm that practices exclusively family law and estate litigation, with additional offices in Barrie and Oshawa. It handles matters such as custody and access, support claims, property divisio…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts