Everything is in joint names. Does the estate need to be probated or administered?
An estate need not be probated’ or administered’ when all assets (such as bank accounts or real estate) are jointly owned with another person, or when RRSPs, pensions and insurance policies have a named beneficiary. These assets generally do not form part of the estate and will usually transfer directly to the survivor or named beneficiary. Check with a lawyer or the bank, insurance company, and Land Title Office about documentation needed to claim the insurance benefit or register the transfer in title to the surviving joint owner(s).
