What happens if an executor dies before finishing administering the estate in Ontario?

If the sole executor named in a will dies before completing the estate administration, the estate cannot simply be left unmanaged. The question of who continues the administration depends on the circumstances.

If the will names an alternate executor, that person steps in. If no alternate is named and the deceased executor had already obtained probate, the position may vest in the deceased executor's own estate — meaning the executor of the executor's estate steps in — but this can become complicated and is not always workable.

The most practical step is often for an interested party — a residuary beneficiary or the next of kin — to apply to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to be appointed as a replacement estate trustee. The court has authority to fill the vacancy and get the estate administration back on track. This underscores the importance of naming an alternate executor in every will and keeping the appointment current.