Filing Estate Court Documents
An application for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee and Small Estate Certificate is commonly referred to as probate application. These applications and supporting or responding documents may be filed with the Superior Court of Justice by email, by regular mail or in person.
The documents that can be filed by email include:
- applications for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee and Small Estate Certificate (Forms 74A, 74.1A, 74.1E, 74J)
- draft certificates (Form 74C, 74.1C, 74.1F)
- proof of service or declaration (Forms 74B, 74B.1, 74.1B)
- supporting affidavits (Form 74D, 74E or 74F)
- renunciations and consents (Forms 74G and 74H)
- nomination of applicant by foreign estate trustee (Form 74K)
- draft order (Form 74I)
- proof of death document
- certified copy of foreign grant
Responding documents that can be filed by email include:
- Notice of Objection (Form 75.1)
- Request for Notice of Commencement of Proceeding (Form 74P)
You must attach an Information Form to your email requesting the filing of your documents. This form provides guidance on the documents which must be filed for each type of probate application.
To learn more about how to electronically file a probate application or responding document, click here and review the Superior Court of Justice Consolidated Practice Direction Part IV.
a. Civil Claims Online
Documents commencing an action involving an estate can be filed with the court electronically through the Civil Claims Online portal of Justice Services Online or in person.
This includes the following documents:
- Statement of Claim (Form 14A)
- Notice of Action (Form 14C)
Where Civil Claims Online is used to file a Statement of Claim or Notice of Action involving an estate, select “Wills, estates” as the “Type of claim”. This will ensure that the matter will be assigned a court file number with an estates (ES) extension.
Do not use the “Civil Submissions Online” portal to file a Statement of Claim or Notice of Action in an estate litigation proceeding.
b. Civil Submissions Online
Documents to commence or respond to certain estate applications or motions can be filed with the court electronically through the Civil Submissions Online portal of Justice Services Online or in person.
This includes documents for:
- an application to pass accounts (documents listed in Table 3 below.)
- application or motions for directions (Forms 14E, 37A, 38A and documents listed in Table 4 below other than a Notice of Objection, Form 75.1)
- motion to compel an estate trustee or trustee to pass accounts or seeking another type of order for assistance (Form 37A, Form 4C, Form 4D, Form 74I etc.)
- claims against an estate (will challenge, dependant’s support etc.) (Form 14E etc.)
- submission of rights to the court (Form 75.10 etc.)
- estate mediations conducted pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure (documents listed in Table 5 below.)
The process to file estate litigation documents electronically using Civil Submissions Online is set out here.
Resources
Learn how to apply for probate:
Learn how to calculate the value of an estate and the amount of estate administration tax, including the amount to be paid at the time of filing of a probate application.
Learn about court fees which may be payable to file your estate court document.
Estate Forms under Rule 74, 74.1 and 75 of the Rules of Civil Procedure
The prescribed forms under the Rules of Civil Procedure, R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 194, are contained in the tables below. Many of these forms are provided in a fillable format.
Your completed form should be in 12-point (or 10 pitch) size, or neatly printed, with double spaces between the lines and a left-hand margin approximately 40 mm wide, or the form should be in the format as published in the tables below. See Rule 4 of the Rules of Civil Procedure for further requirements.
To view PDF files, you will require Adobe Acrobat® Reader version 5.0 (or higher). You can download this free software from
Certain estates forms contain check boxes. If you are using Microsoft Word to complete the form, to put an X in a check box: Double-click on the box. In the menu that pops up, under Default Value, click “Checked.” Click "OK."
These forms also contain rows to provide information. You can add as many rows as required. If you are using Microsoft Word, to add a row, click “enable editing” in the top toolbar. Then select a row, right click on your mouse, select “insert rows above” or “insert rows below”.
Most documents in a proceeding must also end with a “backsheet” (Form 4C). If the form requires a backsheet, you must include it.
A lawyer can help you complete the forms. A lawyer can also explain the risks of providing incorrect information in the forms. Court staff cannot provide you with legal advice, including advice about the completion of forms. Learn how to find a lawyer.
Table 1: Estates Forms under Rule 74.03 to 74.15 of the Rules of Civil Procedure
Application for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee, Application for a Certificate or Confirmation of Appointment, Motion for Order for Assistance, and Nomination of Applicant by Foreign Estate Trustee
Form Number
Form Title
Version Date
Effective Date
HTML/PDF Form
MS Word Form
Application for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee
Affidavit of Service of Application for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee
Lawyer’s Certificate of Service of Application for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee
Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee
Affidavit of Execution of Will or Codicil
Affidavit of Condition of Will or Codicil
Affidavit Regarding a Holograph Will or Codicil