Will & Estate
Plan the transfer of your estate with peace of mind through a notarial will drafted by an expert in Montreal
Notarial expertise
Notary for wills and estates
Drafting a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected. The notarial will is the most secure form: it is drafted before a notary, signed in the presence of a witness, and kept in the Register of Testamentary Dispositions and Mandates of the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
Maître Wissam Itani guides you through personalized estate planning, taking into account your family situation, your assets, and your objectives. Whether it's a first will, an update following a life change, or more complex planning involving a trust or specific bequests, our firm offers thorough and confidential expertise.
Unlike a holograph will or a will made before witnesses, the notarial will does not need to be verified by the courts upon death, which considerably simplifies the estate settlement and reduces delays and costs for your heirs.
This service includes
- Personalized consultation on your estate wishes
- Drafting of the notarial will en minute
- Designation of heirs, legatees, and liquidator
- Specific bequests (property, sums, donations to organizations)
- Substitution clauses and testamentary trust
- Revocation and updating of an existing will
- Registration with the Quebec Register of Wills
- Certified true copy delivered to the testator
- Advice on comprehensive estate planning
Maître Itani also advises families during estate settlement: will verification, estate inventory, declaration of transmission, and distribution among heirs. His personal approach and legal expertise make him a trusted partner during these sensitive times.
Your notarial will step by step
A simple, secure process so your wishes are recorded with the full force of an authentic deed.
Initial meeting
We discuss your family situation, your assets, and your wishes to establish the foundations of your estate planning.
Drafting
Maître Itani drafts your will en minute, incorporating all your wishes with precision and legal compliance.
Signing
You sign your will in the presence of the notary and a witness. The deed is authenticated and immediately takes on legal value.
Safekeeping
Your will is registered with the Quebec Register of Wills and kept securely. You receive your certified copy.
Your questions about wills & estates
Clear answers to the questions most of our clients ask about estate planning.
The notarial will is drafted by a notary, signed before them and a witness, and kept in the Register of Wills. It does not need to be verified by a court upon death. The holograph will is written entirely by hand by the testator, without a witness, but it must be verified in court after death, which results in delays and additional costs for the heirs.
It is advisable to draft a will as soon as you have assets or dependents. Certain life events are particularly good occasions: a marriage or civil union, the birth of a child, the acquisition of a property, a divorce, or starting a business. It is also important to update your will after any major change in your life.
Yes, a will can be modified or revoked at any time as long as the testator is alive and capable. For a notarial will, the modification is done by drafting a new will or a codicil before a notary. The new will automatically revokes provisions that are incompatible with the previous one, unless stated otherwise.
In the absence of a will, the estate is said to be "intestate" and is governed by the rules of the Civil Code of Quebec. Assets are distributed according to a legal order of priority among spouse, descendants, and ascendants, without regard to your personal wishes. A common-law partner has no legal right to the estate, unlike a married or civil union spouse. This can create difficult situations for your loved ones.
The liquidator (formerly called the executor) is the person responsible for administering and settling your estate. This can be an heir, a trusted third party, or a professional. It is recommended to choose someone reliable, available, and capable of handling administrative and financial matters. It is also wise to designate a substitute liquidator in case the first choice is unavailable.
Ready to protect your loved ones and your estate?
A notarial will drafted by Maître Wissam Itani ensures your wishes will be respected and your heirs protected.