Ontario has introduced future sweeping changes to estates law in the Accelerating Access to Justice Act, currently in First Reading. While not yet passed, it changes many significant areas.

-- Virtual signing would be made a permanent option for Wills and Powers of Attorney. Lawyers would still have to be one of the witnesses.

-- Marriage would no longer revoke a Will.

-- The $10,000 limit for amounts paid to a child's parent without the necessity of a court guardianship, would be fixed by regulation would likely increase.

-- Substantial Compliance would be available if a Court found that a document set out a testamentary intention, though it was not properly executed.

-- Separation, not merely divorce, would revoke a bequest to a former spouse.

Stay tuned!