Young Family Planning

At Ross Estate Law we love working with growing families to develop comprehensive estate plans that can ensure your family and assets are not just protected but growing. Working closely with financial planners we help you develop a plan that will build your family's wealth over time. The younger you start the better!

Estate planning isn't just for the elderly or the wealthy—it's something everyone, especially young people and young parents, should consider. While thinking about what happens to your assets, medical care, and legal decisions might feel like a distant concern, having an estate plan in place early can protect your future and the well-being of your loved ones. By starting to plan now, you are benefitting you and your family in the long run.

If you are in a common law relationship, Ross Estate Law can ensure your relationship is respected and your wishes are followed. If you have children, Ross Estate Law can work with you to create a guardianship agreement that will keep your children safe and well cared for.

At Ross Estate Law we are enthusiastic to work with LBGTQ+ couples, families with members transitioning, and nontraditional family forms. We are attuned to the particular issues that can arise with queer families and are perfectly positioned to help.

Ensure Legal Protection for Your Family

01 Control Over Decisions

Having an estate plan means you can control decisions about your financial affairs, medical care, and the distribution of your assets, even if you are unable to make these decisions yourself. Whether it's due to an accident, illness, or incapacity, a will, power of attorney, and medical directive ensure that your wishes are respected.

02 Legal Protection

An estate plan provides legal protection, ensuring your assets are managed according to your preferences and that your medical and financial decisions are clearly defined. Without such documents, families may face confusion and conflict during tough times. Having a clear estate plan can help prevent family disputes and ensure that your loved ones are protected legally.

03 Compounding Growth

By starting to save and invest early, young families can take advantage of the power of compounding growth. The earlier you start, the greater the potential for your wealth to grow over time, providing you with more financial security for your family's future.

04 Financial Security

Having a clear estate plan helps ensures that your family has financial security, no matter what the future holds.

05

Education and Future Planning

Early estate planning helps young parents save for significant future expenses, such as their children's education. By managing your finances early, you can ensure that your children have the resources they need when the time comes for higher education, providing a foundation for their future success.

Plan Today for Your Family’s Tomorrow

Estate planning isn't just something for later in life—it's a crucial step for young people and young parents who want to ensure their wishes are respected, provide for their children, and secure their family's financial future. Starting early provides significant benefits, including greater wealth accumulation, financial security, and a clear plan for managing life's uncertainties.

Whether you're just starting your career or growing your family, taking the time to create a will, designate a power of attorney, and establish a medical directive will pay off in the long run, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Estate Planning Meeting

$500 + HST

Per Person

Two-hour, one-on-one meeting with an experienced estates lawyer
Comprehensive review of your personal and financial circumstances
Guidance on:
- Family dynamics and gifting intentions
- Estate asset structure and distribution planning
- Joint ownership: when it helps—and when it doesn’t
- Choosing the right executor, attorney, and delegate
Detailed discussion of Powers of Attorney, including:
- Who can and cannot be appointed
- The scope of authority and powers granted
- Practical safeguards to reduce the risk of financial abuse
Thoughtful discussion of:
- Guardianship planning for minor children (includes a practical workbook for parents)
- Pet care provisions
- Probate planning—strategies to minimize it and reasons it may be beneficial
- Introduction to advanced planning tools, including family trusts
- Optional in-depth Personal Directive questionnaire to support future decision-making

Basic Estate Documents

$900 + HST

Per Person

Professionally drafted, customized core estate planning documents:
- Last Will & Testament
- Power of Attorney
- Personal Directive
Supporting documents (as applicable):
- Joint Property Memorandum
- Personal Property Memorandum
- Pet Memorandum
- Guardianship Agreement (for parents of minor children)
- Mutual Provisions Agreement (for couples)
- Wishes Document to guide your executor
Tailored to reflect your goals, family circumstances, and legal best practices
Clear, practical language to ensure your wishes are easy to follow

Trust Planning

$2,000–$7,000 + HST

Per Person

Advanced estate planning solutions tailored to your needs and goals
Explore whether a trust structure is right for you during your planning meeting
Advice and implementation of options such as:
- Inter vivos (living) trusts
- Family trusts
- Alter ego and joint partner trusts
- Charitable foundations and giving strategies
Designed to support:
- Tax efficiency
- Asset protection
- Probate planning
- Long-term wealth management and legacy goals
Fully customized structures developed in collaboration with your lawyer and, where appropriate, your financial and tax advisors

Probate Legal Services

$300/hr

Per Person

Full-service support for obtaining court authority to administer an estate
Preparation and filing of:
- Application for Probate (with a Will)
- Application for Administration (without a Will)
Guidance through each stage of the probate process, including:
- Court procedures and timelines
- Legal obligations of a personal representative
Coordination of required notices, including:
- Advertising in the Royal Gazette once the grant is issued
Preparation and filing of additional court documents as needed
Ongoing legal advice to ensure compliance and reduce risk throughout the process

Executor Legal Services

$300/hr

Per Person

Practical, step-by-step guidance for executors navigating estate administration
Initial meeting with a lawyer to review:
- The terms of the Will (if applicable)
- Your duties, timelines, and legal obligations as executor
- Key risks and how to manage them effectively
Ongoing support for executors who need assistance or prefer to delegate tasks
Ideal for out-of-province clients or those unable to administer the estate themselves
Services may include:
- Coordinating with an accountant to prepare and file final tax returns
- Advertising in the Royal Gazette
- Preparing and filing the inventory after probate is granted
- Assistance with government benefits, pensions, and death benefits
Flexible, as-needed legal support tailored to the complexity of the estate

Probate Legal Services

$300/hr

Per Person

Full-service support for obtaining court authority to administer an estate

Preparation and filing of:

Application for Probate (with a Will)
Application for Administration (without a Will)

Guidance through each stage of the probate process, including:

Court procedures and timelines
Legal obligations of a personal representative

Coordination of required notices, including:

Advertising in the Royal Gazette once the grant is issued

Preparation and filing of additional court documents as needed

Ongoing legal advice to ensure compliance and reduce risk throughout the process

Executor Legal Services

$300/hr

Per Person

Practical, step-by-step guidance for executors navigating estate administration

Initial meeting with a lawyer to review:

The terms of the Will (if applicable)
Your duties, timelines, and legal obligations as executor
Key risks and how to manage them effectively

Ongoing support for executors who need assistance or prefer to delegate tasks

Ideal for out-of-province clients or those unable to administer the estate themselves

Services may include:

Coordinating with an accountant to prepare and file final tax returns
Advertising in the Royal Gazette
Preparing and filing the inventory after probate is granted
Assistance with government benefits, pensions, and death benefits

Flexible, as-needed legal support tailored to the complexity of the estate

Estate Planning Meeting

$500 + HST

Per Person

Two-hour, one-on-one meeting with an experienced estates lawyer

Comprehensive review of your personal and financial circumstances

Guidance on:

Family dynamics and gifting intentions
Estate asset structure and distribution planning
Joint ownership: when it helps—and when it doesn't
Choosing the right executor, attorney, and delegate

Detailed discussion of Powers of Attorney, including:

Who can and cannot be appointed
The scope of authority and powers granted
Practical safeguards to reduce the risk of financial abuse

Thoughtful discussion of:

Guardianship planning for minor children (includes a practical workbook for parents)
Pet care provisions
Probate planning—strategies to minimize it and reasons it may be beneficial

Introduction to advanced planning tools, including family trusts

Optional in-depth Personal Directive questionnaire to support future decision-making