Free guide for Ontario families with aging parents
Mom and Dad's house is part of the plan. Here are the 9 steps, in the right order.
- 9 clear steps, in order
- 9 checklists you can tick off
- Every rule sourced. Zero guesses
Get The Parents' House Playbook, a free 22-page guide that walks you through wills, care options, taxes, probate and the house itself. In plain English. Every fact checked against the CRA and the Government of Ontario.
Does this sound like your family?
- Mom or Dad is still in the family home, and it's getting harder.
- You've been named executor, and you don't know where to start.
- There's a cottage or a rental, and someone mentioned a tax bill.
- Your siblings don't agree on what to do with the house.
- You're helping your parents and your own kids at the same time.
You're not behind. Most families only learn this after a crisis. This playbook gives you the order, before you need it.
What you'll learn inside
- P. 03Why getting married no longer cancels a will in Ontario, and how that can leave everything to the old plan.
- P. 04The 3 papers every parent needs while they're still well, and what happens to the family without them.
- P. 05The 5 real care options in Ontario, who pays for each one, and exactly where to start.
- P. 07How the family home usually avoids tax at death, and the form the executor must file to keep it that way.
- P. 08Why the big tax bill usually lands at the second parent's death, and how to plan for it now.
- P. 09What probate really costs in Ontario: $0 on the first $50,000, then $15 per $1,000.
- P. 12The one step to take before handing out a single dollar, or the executor could end up paying the taxes.
- P. 14What to do when siblings disagree about the house, before anyone calls a lawyer.
- P. 15Who has the legal right to sell a parent's home, and why timing matters.
- P. 19The biggest trap: putting a child on title to skip probate. Why it often backfires.
A quick answer, free
Isn't there an inheritance tax in Canada?
No. But there is a tax at death. The CRA treats a parent as if they sold everything they owned right before they died, at today's value. Any gain goes on their final tax return, and the estate pays it before the family inherits. The family home is usually tax free, as long as it was their principal residence and the executor reports it properly. The cottage, the rental and the RRSP are where the big bills come from. The playbook shows you how each one works, with a real example, so nothing catches you off guard.
What families say about working with Michelle
"Michelle Bell is the only Realtor myself and my family use. My husband's family now also exclusively uses Michelle Bell. Over the years, Michelle has helped us buy and sell numerous houses and there is no one else we would trust with that task."
"Having had Michelle Bell sell two homes for us and help us buy our house. She made it an easy experience. We had never sold a home before. Michelle was attentive and always there for our every need. With some great advice from her, we achieved record pricing on our sale."
"It was an absolute pleasure working with Michelle. She was very professional and thorough and made our selling experience seamless. I would highly recommend her if you are looking for an agent."
Why I wrote this
I'm the person who knows the house.
I'm Michelle Bell, an Ontario REALTOR® for 17+ years. I've sat at a lot of kitchen tables with families in this exact spot. Grieving, overwhelmed, and trying to make big money decisions fast. Most of the stress came from not knowing what to do first. So I wrote the guide I wish every one of them had before they called me. I'm not your lawyer or your accountant. I'll tell you when you need one. My job is the house: what it's worth, what it takes to sell it, and how to make the move happen.
Quick questions
- Is it really free?
- Yes. No catch. Enter your email and it's yours right away.
- Is this legal or tax advice?
- No. It's a clear, sourced map so you know what to ask your lawyer and accountant, and in what order.
- My parents don't live in Halton. Does it still apply?
- Yes. The rules apply across Ontario. Anywhere else in Canada, I'll connect you with an agent I'd trust with my own family.
Get the order right. Start tonight.
22 pages. 9 steps. 9 checklists. Free.
Rather talk? Call or text 416.432.2009