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Probate Fee Calculator

"Estimate Estate Administration Tax across Canada and learn how to protect your heirs from high fees."

Updated: March 7, 2026•Source: CRA / Service Canada

The Final Tax

Probate (or Estate Administration Tax) is a fee paid to the provincial government to 'validate' a will. While it varies widely by province, it can be a significant cost for large estates before assets are distributed to heirs.

📝 How to use

  • 1Select the province where the estate is located.
  • 2Enter the total gross value of the estate assets (Home, Investments, etc.).
  • 3Review the comparison to see how much your province charges vs. others.

🎯 Real-World Scenarios

Avoiding the Bite

Assets with named beneficiaries (like RRSPs, TFSAs, and Life Insurance) typically skip probate entirely.

Province Hopping

Alberta and Quebec have flat or very low fees, while Ontario and BC have some of the highest in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

What assets are subject to probate?▼
Generally, assets held solely in your name without a designated beneficiary (like a bank account, car, or unjoint real estate) must go through probate.
How do I avoid probate fees?▼
Common strategies include naming beneficiaries on registered accounts (RRSPs, TFSAs), holding property in "Joint Tenancy", or using a trust.
Do beneficiaries pay the probate fee?▼
No, the fee is paid by the Estate before any money is distributed to the heirs.
$
CAD

Probate Fee

$14,250

Net to Heirs

$985,750

What This Calculator Solves

This engine analyzes the 'Probate' fees (officially known as Estate Administration Tax in some provinces) that will be charged against your estate upon your death. Probate is the legal process that validates your will. The fees are based on the total value of your assets that pass through the will. Our tool compares provincial rates and highlights how much of your hard-earned wealth will go to the government versus your loved ones.

The 'Primary and Secondary Will' Strategy

In provinces with high probate fees (like Ontario at 1.5%), business owners often use a sophisticated legal arrangement known as the Granovsky Strategy (Multiple Wills).

Bypassing the Clock: Some assets, like shares in a private family corporation or household furniture, do not technically require a 'Certificate of Appointment' (Probate) from the court to be transferred to heirs. By creating a 'Secondary Will' specifically for these assets, they can bypass the probate process entirely.

The 1.5% Saving: If you are a business owner with a company worth $2 million, using a Secondary Will can save your heirs $30,000 in probate fees alone. This is a common and perfectly legal strategy used by high-net-worth Canadians to ensure their legacy goes to their family, not the provincial treasury.

Methodology & Data Sources

We use the unique probate fee formulas for each province. For example, Ontario charges $0 on the first $50k and 1.5% thereafter. BC charges 0.6% on the first $25k-$50k and 1.4% thereafter. These analyses represent the government fees only and do not include legal fees or executor compensation.

* Calculations are for educational purposes only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What assets are subject to probate?
Generally, assets held solely in your name without a designated beneficiary (like a bank account, car, or unjoint real estate) must go through probate.
How do I avoid probate fees?
Common strategies include naming beneficiaries on registered accounts (RRSPs, TFSAs), holding property in "Joint Tenancy", or using a trust.
Do beneficiaries pay the probate fee?
No, the fee is paid by the Estate before any money is distributed to the heirs.
What is the 'Joint Tenancy' strategy?
If you own an asset (like a home or a bank account) as 'Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship', the asset typically passes directly to the surviving owner upon your death. Because it doesn't form part of your 'estate' under the will, it is not subject to probate fees.
Does real estate outside my province get probated?
Probate is a provincial matter. If you own land in Ontario and a cottage in BC, his executor may need to apply for probate in *both* provinces, paying the respective fees in each jurisdiction.
Is there a tax on the money my heirs receive?
Canada does not have a 'Death Tax' or 'Inheritance Tax' on the recipient. Heirs receive their portion of the estate tax-free *after* the estate has paid all its final income taxes and probate fees.
What is a 'Primary and Secondary Will' strategy?
Common in Ontario (the 'Granovsky' strategy), business owners often use a 'Secondary Will' for assets that don't technically require a probate grant to be transferred, such as shares in a private corporation. This can save 1.5% in probate fees on the entire value of the company.

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