Blog – RMS Estates Law

Payment of Funds into Court

Raluca M. Soica January 26, 2026

What is payment of funds into court? Payment into court is the process of placing funds under the court’s control for safekeeping and neutral administration.

Fraud and identity-theft mitigation steps after death

Raluca M. Soica January 14, 2026

Where there is concern about fraudulent use of the deceased’s credit products or identity, commonly referenced preventative steps include: Procedural tool: Notice of Objection (Ontario)

Due diligence steps to assess assets and liabilities (without administering the estate)

Raluca M. Soica January 14, 2026

A prospective estate trustee can (and often should) undertake rapid, targeted due diligence to determine whether the estate is solvent. The central risk-management principle is

Insolvent Estates and “Intermeddling”: Due Diligence for Prospective Estate Trustees

Raluca M. Soica January 14, 2026

Why an early solvency assessment matters A person considering whether to act as an estate trustee should form a reliable picture of the deceased’s assets

Thinking About a Trust? What Ontarians Should Know First

Raluca M. Soica December 21, 2025

Over the past few months, many people have asked me whether they should place their assets into a trust (formally known as an inter-vivos trust

Estate Administration for Clarity and Peace of Mind

Raluca M. Soica December 11, 2025

Administering an estate is one of the most important responsibilities someone can take on. It often comes at an emotionally difficult time, and many executors

Legal Framework for Funeral and Burial Decisions When No Estate Trustee Is Named in the Will or Appointed by Court

Raluca M. Soica December 8, 2025

Funeral directors regularly encounter families who are grieving and uncertain about who has the legal authority to make funeral and burial decisions. When conflicts arise

Rights to Cemetery Property in Ontario

Raluca M. Soica October 21, 2025

Questions about who controls a cemetery plot, especially when it has been in a family for generations, often arise during estate administration. In Ontario, the

Who Owns a Dead Body?

Raluca M. Soica October 21, 2025

It is one of the most sensitive legal questions that arises after a death: who actually controls a deceased person’s body? Families often assume that

Who Is Responsible for Funeral and Burial Decisions When There Is No Will

Raluca M. Soica October 20, 2025

In Ontario, the legal responsibility for funeral and burial arrangements normally rests with the estate trustee, who is appointed either through a will or by

Who Is Responsible for Funeral and Burial Decisions When There Is a Will

Raluca M. Soica October 20, 2025

When a person passes away leaving a valid will, the executor named in that will becomes legally responsible for the deceased person’s body. The executor

Will Kits versus Lawyer-Prepared Wills

Raluca M. Soica October 20, 2025

Many people consider using a will kit because it appears to be a quick and inexpensive way to prepare a will. These kits are widely

Power of Attorney for Property in Ontario

Raluca M. Soica September 11, 2025

In everyone’s life, situations may arise where we need help to manage our own financial affairs. Whether due to illness, an accident, or simply a

Estate Planning for The Busy Business Owner

Raluca M. Soica July 9, 2024

Estate planning for a small business involves creating a comprehensive plan to manage and distribute the business owner’s assets upon their death or incapacitation. This

The Vital Importance of a Will: An Ontario Estate Lawyer’s Perspective

Raluca M. Soica June 1, 2024

When it comes to planning for the future, few documents hold as much significance as a will. Despite its importance, many Canadians—especially those in Ontario—often

The Bare Trust – new guidance from CRA

Raluca M. Soica March 28, 2024

Commencing with the 2023 taxation year, the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) has implemented new reporting obligations for trusts. This meant that many trusts (including bare

Succession Law: Married Spouses and Common Law Partners

Raluca M. Soica March 21, 2024

Estate law in Ontario, Canada, presents distinct considerations for surviving spouses, whether married or common-law, depending on the presence or absence of a will. Delving

Succession Law: Marriage, Divorce and Separation

Raluca M. Soica March 21, 2024

In this blog post, we delve into the nuances of Ontario’s evolving laws concerning wills, marriage, and divorce (please note that common-law partners are not

Canada s-a alăturat Convenției de la Haga

Raluca M. Soica March 2, 2024

Pe 11 ianuarie 2024, Convenția de la Haga privind abolirea cerinței de legalizare pentru documentele publice străine, a intrat în vigoare în Canada. Convenția de

The Bare Trust

Raluca M. Soica February 12, 2024

The new trust reporting rules take effect for the taxation year ending after December 30, 2023. The Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) now requires trusts to

Considering business incorporation: when is the right time?

Raluca M. Soica September 26, 2023

Are you considering taking your business to the next level? Incorporation may be the key to unlocking a world of legal and financial advantages. Incorporating,

Encroachments in real estate

Raluca M. Soica September 26, 2023

In this article, we intend to provide readers with an understanding of the dynamics of encroachments on real estate property and how they may affect

Mortgage Fraud in Ontario

Raluca M. Soica September 26, 2023

Since COVID-19, fraud has skyrocketed in Canada. One story reported by CBC in 2023 showcased how deception can be used in mortgage transactions. The following

Private lending – what is it and how can it benefit you?

Raluca M. Soica September 26, 2023

As the title indicates, this article aims to inform readers about what private lenders are, the risks and benefits associated with using a private lender

Mortgage enforcement in Ontario

Raluca M. Soica September 26, 2023

This article aims to provide an overview of mortgage enforcement in Ontario and how it works. Mortgages are contracts between a property owner and a

What is a matrimonial home and why does it matter?

Raluca M. Soica September 26, 2023

The following article will explain what a matrimonial home is and the options available to separating spouses. Please note that this article is intended as

The role of shareholders, officers and directors in Ontario corporations

Raluca M. Soica September 26, 2023

In the intricate world of Ontario corporations, the roles and responsibilities of key players are essential for efficient operations, responsible governance, and the protection of