SmartWills.ca

SmartWills.ca We want to introduce you to “Smartwills.ca”.

We provide much needed information and guidance for preparing Wills, Powers of Attorney and for Estate Administration advice.

06/02/2026

Most people assume their will takes care of everything. Here's the truth — it doesn't.

In Ontario, registered accounts like RRSPs and RRIFs, along with life insurance proceeds, pass directly to your named beneficiary. Your will has no say over them at all. That can actually be a smart estate planning move — but there are some critical details that catch families off guard every single day.

If those funds go to anyone other than a surviving spouse, the full value is taxable income on your final return — and that bill falls to your estate, not the beneficiary receiving the money.

Converted your RRSP to a RRIF? Your old beneficiary designation may not carry over. Courts have reached different conclusions on this, and you do not want your family in the middle of that uncertainty.

Named a child under 18 as a beneficiary? If the amount exceeds $10,000, a court-appointed guardian is legally required to manage those funds. A parent is not automatically that person.

These are the details that make the difference between a plan that works and one that creates more problems than it solves.

Peter Welsh at SmartWills helps families in the GTA get this right. Book a free half-hour consultation — link in bio or visit SmartWills.ca.

Here's the thing about estate planning — the hardest part is just starting.Once you're in the room with Peter, most peop...
05/29/2026

Here's the thing about estate planning — the hardest part is just starting.

Once you're in the room with Peter, most people say, "That was way easier than I expected."

40 years of experience. A genuinely personal approach. Serving the GTA from Oakville.

Book your consultation today → SmartWills.ca 📞 905.337.3121

Did you know your TFSA doesn't automatically pass to your loved ones the way you might expect? Most Canadians spend year...
05/26/2026

Did you know your TFSA doesn't automatically pass to your loved ones the way you might expect?

Most Canadians spend years growing their Tax-Free Savings Account — but haven't thought much about what happens to it after they're gone. And the difference between getting it right and getting it wrong can cost your family thousands in unexpected taxes.

Here's the short version:

✅ Name your spouse as a SUCCESSOR HOLDER (not just a beneficiary) and the account transfers seamlessly, keeping its full tax-free status.

⚠️ Name them as a beneficiary instead? The account closes at your death, and any growth after that date becomes taxable income.

❌ Name no one at all? It goes through your estate, through probate, and your family deals with the delays and fees.

The fix takes about 15 minutes — a quick check with your financial institution to confirm your current designation and update it if needed.

We've written a full guide for Ontario residents on exactly what to check and what to do. Link in the comments 👇

What happens to your bank accounts when you die in Ontario? It's not the most comfortable topic — but knowing the answer...
05/22/2026

What happens to your bank accounts when you die in Ontario?

It's not the most comfortable topic — but knowing the answer could save your family months of stress, confusion, and unexpected costs.

Here's a quick breakdown:

ACCOUNTS GET FROZEN FIRST
Once a death is verified, individual bank accounts are frozen until the executor provides the proper paperwork — like a death certificate and probate documents. Your loved ones cannot simply walk into the bank and withdraw funds. (There are limited exceptions for funeral costs and certain government payments.)

SOLE ACCOUNT HOLDER?
The funds become part of your estate. Debts get paid first, then what's left is distributed — according to your will, or Ontario's intestacy laws if you don't have one. And here's a sobering fact: roughly half of Canadians don't have a will. Without one, your money may not go where you'd expect.

JOINT ACCOUNTS WORK DIFFERENTLY
If you share an account with a married spouse, the surviving partner generally takes over the account — no probate required. But if a parent adds an adult child to an account? Ontario law does not assume that's a gift. That money could actually flow back to the estate — and become a source of family disputes.

TFSAs & RRSPs
These registered accounts let you name a beneficiary directly, so they often pass outside the estate and avoid probate entirely. Make sure your beneficiary designations are up to date!

Settling an estate can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. A valid will, up-to-date beneficiary designations, and a clear conversation with your family can prevent unnecessary delays, disputes, and costs.

Read the full article on the Smart Wills blog — link in bio (or below)!
👉 https://smartwills.ca/what-happens-to-your-bank-accounts-when-you-die-in-ontario/

Did you know joint accounts work differently depending on who is on them? Drop a 🙋 below if this was news to you!

Most people think Estate Planning is only about what happens after you're gone.But what about while you're still here?A ...
05/19/2026

Most people think Estate Planning is only about what happens after you're gone.

But what about while you're still here?

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes someone you trust to make financial or healthcare decisions on your behalf — if you're ever unable to make them yourself.

Without one, your family could face a costly court process just to help you manage your own affairs during an illness or injury.

There are different types of POA in Ontario, and choosing the right one — and the right person — matters enormously.

Peter Welsh at SmartWills walks every client through this as part of a complete Estate Plan. It's not an add-on. It's essential.

📞 905.337.3121
🌐 smartwills.ca/consultation

What does 40 years of experience actually mean for you?When Peter Welsh says he's been practicing Estate Law for nearly ...
05/15/2026

What does 40 years of experience actually mean for you?

When Peter Welsh says he's been practicing Estate Law for nearly 40 years, what does that actually mean for you as a client?

It means he's seen what happens when Wills are vague, outdated, or missing entirely — and he knows exactly how to prevent it.

It means he's guided families through some of their hardest moments as Executor, probate, and Estate Administration — and made the process as smooth as possible.

It means he's heard every question, every concern, every "I didn't know that" — and he answers all of them without judgment.

Experience isn't just a number. It's the difference between an Estate Plan that holds up and one that creates problems.

Book your complimentary half-hour consultation with Peter today.

📞 905.337.3121
🌐 smartwills.ca/consultation

Have you talked to your family about your Estate Plan?Most of us are comfortable talking about almost anything with our ...
05/12/2026

Have you talked to your family about your Estate Plan?

Most of us are comfortable talking about almost anything with our families — except this.

Estate Planning is one of the most loving things you can do for the people you care about, yet it's one of the least talked-about topics at the dinner table.

Have you had the conversation with your family about your Will and Estate Plan?

👇 Tell us — yes, no, or "it's on my list."

And if it's on your list, Peter makes it easy to get started. Complimentary half-hour consultation, no obligation.

📞 905.337.3121
🌐 smartwills.ca/consultation

Making a will isn't something most of us want to think about — but it's one of the most important things you can do for ...
05/08/2026

Making a will isn't something most of us want to think about — but it's one of the most important things you can do for the people you love.

Peter has spent years helping families get this right. Not with confusing legal jargon or impersonal online forms — but with real guidance, a personal touch, and the kind of care that only comes with experience.

At SmartWills, you're not just filling out a document. You're working with someone who actually takes the time to understand your situation.

✅ Affordable
✅ Personal & hands-on
✅ Trusted by families across Canada

Your family deserves peace of mind. Let Peter help you get there.

👉 Get started today → https://smartwills.ca/

"My family knows what I want — I don't need a Will"One of the most common things Peter hears: "My family knows what I wa...
05/05/2026

"My family knows what I want — I don't need a Will"

One of the most common things Peter hears: "My family knows what I want, so I don't really need a Will."

Here's the hard truth: what your family knows and what the law recognizes are two very different things.

Without a legal Will in Ontario, your wishes — no matter how clearly you've expressed them — cannot be enforced. The government's formula takes over. That means assets may go to people you didn't intend, and the people you meant to protect may end up with nothing.

A Will isn't just paperwork. It's the legal voice you leave behind.

Peter Welsh at SmartWills has been helping Ontario families get this right for nearly 40 years. Book your free half-hour Will audit today.

📞 905.337.3121
🌐 https://smartwills.ca/consultation/

We know Estate Planning sounds like a heavy topic. Peter's goal has always been to make it feel like the opposite — pers...
05/01/2026

We know Estate Planning sounds like a heavy topic. Peter's goal has always been to make it feel like the opposite — personal, thorough, and, honestly, a bit of a relief.

If you've been putting off your Will because you're not sure where to start, this is your sign. Peter offers a complimentary half-hour consultation so you can ask every question you have before committing to anything.

📞 905.337.3121
🌐 smartwills.ca/consultation

Address

3395 Hayhurst Crescent
Oakville, ON
L6L6W9

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+19053373121

Website

https://www.instagram.com/smartwills.ca/, https://smartwills.ca/blog/

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