Estate Planning and Settlement Services
Estate planning: all you need to know
Whether you are planning your own estate or acting as executor of an estate for a loved one, you likely have more questions than answers. We’re here to help.
At Meridian, we partner with tech-forward companies to offer best-in-class financial solutions. For estate planning services, we’re proud to partner with ClearEstate – your one-stop-shop for estate planning and settlement needs.
Why is estate planning so important?
Estate planning offers clarity for your loved ones, while making it easy for them to fulfill your wishes. With smart decisions and clear guidelines, estate planning protects your family by reducing tax burdens, fees and allowing your assets to be transferred efficiently.
A valid will is only the starting point – an estate planning advisor can help you make smart decisions regarding executorship, guardianship, powers of attorney, trusts, distribution and more.
What is involved with settling an estate?
As executor of estate, you're responsible for administering the final wishes of your loved one, including submitting their will to court for probate, if required.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by this role. As executor, you likely have plenty of questions. What do I do first? How long does probate take? Can anyone help me?
Professional estate settlement services offer end-to-end support for executors. They file paperwork, file for probate, submit taxes, and help to close the estate. In other words, settlement services provide expertise, just when you need it most.
What is probate?
Probate is the legal process that validates a will and ensures it is executed according to the wishes of the deceased. In Ontario, probate is required when the deceased owned assets such as real estate, investments, or other valuables.
If you are the executor of an estate, you’ll need to locate assets, file for probate, communicate with creditors, file income taxes, distribute remaining assets, and more.
Thankfully, trusted estate professionals can answer your questions and help with each step of the estate settlement process.
ClearEstate: Human-led online estate planning and estate settlement services
At Meridian, we’re proud to partner with ClearEstate, a reliable, cost-effective solution for those thinking about their own estate or helping to settle the estate of a loved one.
Whether you’re planning ahead or wondering how to move forward, you may have plenty of estate planning and settlement questions. ClearEstate offers end-to-end support through the combination of highly trained professionals and state-of-the-art technology, saving you time and money, while reducing stress and uncertainty.
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