Recent estate court form and rule amendments

    • Reg. 188/23: Amendments made to the Rules of Civil Procedure (RCP) simplify probate application processes by providing more guidance through the probate application forms, effective July 6, 2023.
      • Forms amended: Form 74A, 74.1A and 74J. 
      • A summary of the amendments can be found here.

    • Reg. 520/22: Amendments made to the RCP to allow unsworn lawyer’s certificate of service (for probate the form is Form 74B.1) to prove that document was either served by a lawyer or caused to be served by a lawyer.

    • Reg. 435/22: Amendments made to the RCP to simplify probate processes relating to estate administration bond and tax requirements and other administrative changes, effective July 1, 2022. 
      • Forms amended: Form 74A, 74C, 74D, 74E, 74I, 74J, 74.1A, 74.1B, 74.1C, 74.1F.
      • Addition of Part 9 re Estate Administration Tax to probate application forms.
      • Addition of Part 10 re Bond to probate application forms.
      • A summary of the amendments can be found here.

    • Reg. 709/21: Amendments made to the RCP to simplify the probate process under Rule 74 by overhauling the forms and processes, effective January 1, 2022.
      • Eliminated 43 forms, introduced 8 new simpler, consolidated forms and amended 15 forms.
      • A summary of the amendments can be found here.

    • Reg. 111/21: Amendments made to the RCP to create a new probate process for small estates, effective April 1, 2021.

    • Reg. 690/20: Amendments made to the RCP to streamline and clarify probate processes under Rule 74, to expand the methods of service of a notice of probate application (email, mail, courier or personal service), introducing prescribed new form to notify applicants of errors in applications, authorizing email delivery of this notice form by registrars, and aligning the rules with legislative amendments, effective January 8, 2021.