Ontario directory

Wills, Estates & Trusts Law Firms in City of Hamilton, Ontario

86 law firms.

What does a wills and estates lawyer in Hamilton do?

A Hamilton 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 and powers of attorney, advising executors, and guiding an estate through administration. If an estate needs probate, the application goes to the Superior Court of Justice, which sits at the John Sopinka Courthouse at 45 Main Street East in downtown Hamilton.

The work reaches well beyond the lower city. Firms here serve families in Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Ancaster, and Dundas, and much of it is quiet office work rather than courtroom time. A first meeting sorts out what you own, who you want to benefit, and who should act for you if you can't act for yourself.

How does probate work in a Hamilton estate?

Probate is the court's confirmation that an executor has authority to deal with an estate. In Ontario it takes the form of a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee, issued by the Superior Court of Justice. Banks and investment firms often won't release assets until they see that certificate, so many estates need it even when the will is clear.

The province also charges an Estate Administration Tax on the value of the estate that passes through probate. Estates under a set threshold pay nothing, and a rate set by regulation applies above it, so check the current figures first. A lawyer can value the estate, prepare the application, and flag which assets pass outside the will.

What about powers of attorney and planning ahead?

A complete plan covers the years before death too. Ontario's Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 lets you name someone to act if you lose capacity, through two documents: a power of attorney for property and a power of attorney for personal care. The first covers finances and property, the second covers health and living arrangements.

Without them, your family may have to apply to the court for guardianship, which costs more and takes longer than signing the documents while you're well. It's worth reviewing them after a move, a marriage, a separation, or a death in the family.

How do you choose a wills and estates firm in Hamilton?

Start with a firm that handles estates like yours, whether that's a straightforward will, a blended family, a family business, or an estate already in dispute. Ask who drafts the documents, how they store the signed originals, and what estate administration will cost. A fixed fee is common for basic wills, while estate administration is often billed differently, so get the terms in writing.

Location helps when signings and executor meetings add up, and there are firms across Hamilton, Ancaster, and Dundas. You can confirm any lawyer's standing on the Law Society of Ontario directory. Browse the wills, estates & trusts firms in Hamilton below.

Agro Zaffiro LLP

31 lawyers

Agro Zaffiro LLP is a full-service law firm founded in Hamilton and serving Ontario for over 70 years. Its lawyers work across most areas of law, with particular strength in insurance defence, personal injury, civil a…

Insurance LawInsurance LawPersonal InjuryPersonal InjuryCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

Bartolini, Berlingieri, Barrafato, Fortino LLP (BBBF LLP) is a Hamilton law firm founded by the late Mario Bartolini, with more than 40 years of service across the Golden Horseshoe. It runs two offices in Hamilton and…

Personal InjuryPersonal InjuryCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFamily LawFamily LawReal Estate LawReal Estate Law

Beeksma Law

2 lawyers · Est. 2018

Beeksma Law is an award-winning estate and commercial law practice founded in 2018 serving Ontario families and businesses. The firm operates remotely-first and technology-enabled across Hamilton, Port Elgin, Owen Sou…

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsLandlord & TenantLandlord & TenantBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Brown Lawyers

2 lawyers

Brown Lawyers is a professional corporation focused on estate planning and corporate and business law, using a coaching-style approach it calls the CODA Program. Its services cover wills and powers of attorney, execut…

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate Law

Brown Vitulli LLP is a Hamilton law firm serving individuals, businesses, and corporations on a local, regional, and national basis. It offers real estate, estate planning, corporate and commercial law, and litigation…

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

Burns Associates

2 lawyers · Est. 1974

Burns Associates is a Hamilton law firm founded in 1974 by A. Douglas Burns. It serves individuals, families, and corporations across Southern Ontario, including Hamilton, Toronto, Niagara Falls, and St. Catharines. T…

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

Campbell Mihailovich Uggenti LLP is a Hamilton, Ontario law firm handling wills and estates, corporate and commercial matters, and real estate. The firm's lawyers include Noel Adair Campbell, Michael Mihailovich, Brun…

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsBusiness & Corporate LawBusiness & Corporate LawReal Estate LawReal Estate Law

Charlton Law

1 lawyer

Charlton Law is a solo law practice in Hamilton, Ontario offering family law, real estate law, wills, estates and trusts, and corporate and commercial law. The firm is led by Tyler L. Richards, who works closely with …

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

Chris Argiropoulos PC is a law practice in Hamilton focusing on corporate and commercial litigation, real estate, personal injury, estates and wills, and incorporations. The firm functions on core values of trust, hon…

Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionReal Estate LawReal Estate LawPersonal InjuryPersonal InjuryWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Cicchi & Giangregorio

2 lawyers · Est. 1991

Cicchi & Giangregorio is a law practice that's operated since 1991. Its work covers real estate law, corporate law, wills and powers of attorney, and estate administration.

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

Confente Garcea

2 lawyers · Est. 1994

Confente Garcea is a Hamilton, Ontario law firm founded in 1994 by Andrew Confente and Sam Garcea. It assists clients with criminal, family, and real estate matters. Andrew Confente focuses on criminal defence, while …

Criminal DefenceCriminal DefenceFamily LawFamily LawReal Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

Connor, Araiche and Grilli is a Hamilton law firm founded in 2021, serving Ontario in corporate and commercial law, real estate, and wills and estate planning. The firm works with clients through all stages of busines…

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

De Rubeis Lawyers

2 lawyers · Est. 1981

De Rubeis Lawyers was established in 1981 and serves clients across Hamilton and the surrounding region with offices in Hamilton and Stoney Creek. The firm specializes in real estate, mortgages, title insurance, wills…

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

Deepa Law

1 lawyer

Deepa Law is a barrister, solicitor, and notary practice serving the Hamilton community. The firm offers legal services in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi, accepts legal aid, and provides family law, wills and estat…

Family LawFamily LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionAdministrative & Regulatory LawAdministrative & Regulatory LawLegal aidLegal Aid

Drake Law

10 lawyers

Drake Law is a multi-office family law, real estate law, and wills and estates firm with its head office in London, Ontario and branch offices in Sarnia, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Oakville, Mississauga, a…

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

Duxbury Law

2 lawyers

Specialized litigation firm with over 30 years of experience serving Southern Ontario from offices in Hamilton and Brantford. Duxbury Law handles business disputes, property disputes, construction disputes, estates an…

Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionConstruction LawConstruction LawReal Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & Trusts

DWA Law

4 lawyers · Est. 2024

DWA Law (Dickson Wynperle Associates) is a plaintiff-side personal injury firm based in Hamilton, with offices in Brantford and Guelph. It formed in 2024 as the successor to Wynperle Law, whose practice dates to 2002.…

Personal InjuryPersonal InjuryCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionInsurance LawInsurance LawEmployment & Labour LawEmployment & Labour Law

E. J. Porter & Associates

1 lawyer · Est. 1998

E. J. Porter & Associates (Porter Law) is a multi-discipline law firm founded in 1998 by Elizabeth Porter. It's based at the Great Building in Ohsweken on the Six Nations of the Grand River, with a satellite office in…

Family LawFamily LawReal Estate LawReal Estate LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsCriminal DefenceCriminal Defence

EOJ Legal Practice is a boutique law firm based in Hamilton, Ontario, offering legal services in family law, real estate, wills and estate planning, child protection, and corporate law. The firm is led by Principal At…

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

Escarpment Law Group

5 lawyers · Est. 2011

Escarpment Law Group is dedicated primarily to real estate law, handling residential and commercial purchases, sales, and mortgage refinances. It also offers estate planning (wills, powers of attorney, estate administ…

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

Estofa Law

1 lawyer

Estofa Law Professional Corporation is a Burlington-based law firm serving clients in real estate transactions, immigration, and wills and estates planning across Ontario. Founded by principal lawyer Hassan Tahir, the…

Real Estate LawReal Estate LawImmigration LawImmigration LawWills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsLandlord & TenantLandlord & Tenant

Fazakas Law

1 lawyer

Fazakas Law is an estate litigation and estate mediation firm based in Hamilton, Ontario, serving Hamilton, the Golden Horseshoe, and Southern Ontario. Led by Derek Fazakas, who was called to the Ontario bar in 1996, …

Wills, Estates & TrustsWills, Estates & TrustsCivil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Fikemi's Law Professional Corporation is a boutique law firm with locations in Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario. It practises real estate, wills and estates, immigration, family law, and notary services. Olufikemi Aidelo…

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

Filice Law

1 lawyer

Filice Law is a boutique law firm in Ancaster, Ontario, serving the Greater Hamilton area. It practises real estate, family law, wills and estates, and business and commercial law. Founder Pat Filice offers services i…

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