Can family members consent to a dependant support settlement without going to trial in Ontario?

Yes — most dependant support claims settle by consent rather than going to trial. Ontario civil litigation generally encourages parties to negotiate a resolution, and a dependant support claim is no different: the estate trustee, the claimant, and other affected beneficiaries can agree on a support amount, and how it's paid, without a judge deciding the case. That settlement is usually put into a written minutes of settlement or consent order and, once signed, resolves the claim much like a trial judgment would.

One nuance worth knowing: because a dependant support claim affects the whole estate, other beneficiaries often need to be part of, or consent to, the settlement — a private deal between only the claimant and the estate trustee can leave the door open to argument later if it isn't properly documented and binding on everyone affected. Where a settlement touches the interests of a minor or an incapable person, court approval or oversight is generally required before it can be finalized. Anyone involved in a proposed settlement should get advice on whether it actually and fully resolves their exposure before signing anything.