Wills & EstatesWills & Estates

Simple Business Property Will

Many Ontario business owners use more than one will as part of their estate plan. A business property will, sometimes called a secondary will, can be used to deal with certain business or private company assets separately from a person's primary personal will.

This service is intended for relatively straightforward business property wills. It may be suitable for business owners, incorporated professionals, real estate investors, holding company owners, or shareholders of private corporations who want a separate will dealing with specific business-related assets.

A properly drafted business property will can help clarify how business assets are handled after death and may form part of a broader estate-planning strategy. Whether this type of will is appropriate depends on the client's assets, corporate structure, family situation, tax considerations, and overall estate plan.

The starting price applies to simple business property wills. The price may increase where the matter involves added complexity, including multiple corporations, holding companies, operating companies, shareholder agreements, business succession issues, family conflict, tax-planning considerations, blended families, excluded beneficiaries, or circumstances requiring coordination with accountants, corporate lawyers, financial advisors, or other professionals.

5–10 business days
Ontario

What Is Included

  • Review of your business-property estate-planning goals
  • Preparation of a simple Ontario business property will
  • Identification of the business or private company assets intended to be covered
  • Appointment of an estate trustee for the business property will
  • Clauses dealing with private company shares or other qualifying business assets
  • Coordination language to reduce conflict with your primary personal will
  • Lawyer review before finalization
  • Signing instructions

What Is Not Included

  • Preparation of a personal will (unless separately agreed)
  • Estate freeze or advanced tax-planning strategy
  • Family trust creation
  • Henson Trust or disability-related planning
  • Complex multi-corporation or holding company structures
  • Shareholder agreement drafting or review
  • Business succession planning beyond the will
  • Planning for business assets outside Ontario
  • Accounting, tax, or corporate restructuring advice
  • Probate advice or estate administration after death

Who This Service Is For

Business owners who hold private corporation shares
Incorporated professionals with shares in their professional corporation
Shareholders of privately held companies who want business assets dealt with separately
Real estate investors or holding company owners
People with an existing personal will who need a complementary business property will
Business owners with relatively simple corporate structures and clear estate-planning goals

Information Required from You

  • 1Your full legal name, address, and date of birth
  • 2Description of the business assets or private company shares to be covered
  • 3Name and details of each corporation or business entity involved
  • 4Name and contact information for your proposed estate trustee
  • 5Names of your beneficiaries for the business property
  • 6Confirmation of whether you have or intend to have a separate personal will
  • 7Any relevant shareholder agreements or corporate documents
  • 8Any specific instructions about how business assets should be handled

Common Add-Ons

Simple personal will (paired package)Quote on request
Power of attorney for propertyQuote on request
Power of attorney for personal careQuote on request
Additional complexity — multiple corporations, holding companies, shareholder agreementsQuote on request
Estate freeze or advanced tax-planning coordinationQuote on request
Family trust or Henson TrustHenson Trust from $2,500 + HST

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Limitations

  • Submitting a request does not automatically create a lawyer-client relationship. A lawyer must first review the request, complete any required conflict check, confirm the scope of work, and provide a retainer agreement before legal services are provided.
  • A business property will should be considered alongside a personal will and the client's broader estate plan. The lawyer will need to review whether this type of will is appropriate for the client's situation.
  • The starting price of $799 + HST applies to straightforward business property wills. The price may be adjusted upward where additional complexity is identified after the initial review.
  • This service does not include accounting, tax, or corporate restructuring advice. Clients may need to consult an accountant or other professional as part of their estate planning.
  • Signing the will correctly is essential for it to be legally valid in Ontario. Signing instructions will be provided, but the client is responsible for ensuring the will is properly executed.

Starting from

$799

Plus HST

Request This Service