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Ontario Real Estate, Wills & Estate Law Blog
Stay informed with practical legal insights from McMurter & Associates. Our blog explores Ontario real estate law, buying and selling property, wills, estate planning, probate, powers of attorney and other issues affecting individuals, families and real estate professionals. These articles provide general information; for advice about your specific circumstances, contact one of our lawyers in Whitby.
Common-Law Parents in Ontario: Why You Need a Will and Estate Plan for Your Children
Posted by Brian McMurter
on 1 September 2026
The short answer: Common-law partners in Ontario don't automatically inherit from each other under the province's intestacy rules, and a will is how each parent can document who should have decision-making responsibility for their children if both parents die. Without a will, those wishes may not b...
| Posted in:Wills & EstatesCommon-Law Partners in Ontario | McMurter & Associates |
Should You Add Your Spouse to Your Home’s Title After Marriage in Ontario?
Posted by Brian McMurter
on 29 July 2026
Getting married does not automatically add your spouse to your home’s title in Ontario. If you want to change ownership, the transfer has to be completed formally, and that decision can affect ownership rights, estate planning, mortgage arrangements, taxes, and what happens if the relationship ...
| Posted in:Wills & Estates |
Merging Property and Assets: Legal Tips for Newlyweds
Posted by Brian McMurter
on 29 June 2026
Marriage often marks the beginning of shared plans, shared goals, and shared property. But merging assets is not always as simple as adding a name to an account or title.For newlyweds, understanding how property ownership and estate planning work together can help protect both spouses and reduce ...
| Posted in:Wills & Estates |
Five Ways Common-Law Couples in Ontario Can Protect Each Other
Posted by Brian McMurter
on 28 May 2026
In Ontario, common-law partners do not automatically inherit from each other if one partner dies without a will - unlike married spouses. To protect each other, common-law couples should put a will in place, review how their home is owned, update beneficiary designations, set up powers of attorne...
| Posted in:Common-Law Partners in Ontario | McMurter & Associates |
Do Common-Law Partners Inherit in Ontario? What Happens Without a Will
Posted by Brian McMurter
on 25 April 2026
The short answer: No. In Ontario, a common-law partner does not automatically inherit when their partner dies without a will. Under the Succession Law Reform Act, only legally married spouses share in an estate on intestacy (when there's no valid will). It doesn't matter how long you've lived togeth...
| Posted in:Common-Law Partners in Ontario | McMurter & Associates |
