How long does an executor have to settle an estate in Ontario?

In Ontario, there is no hard statutory deadline by which an executor must complete the administration of an estate, but the law and courts expect the estate to be administered within a reasonable time. A commonly referenced general principle is that the executor should aim to finalize the estate within approximately one year from the date of death — sometimes called the "executor's year" — though this is a guideline rather than a strict rule.

Complex estates can take longer, particularly where there are assets to sell, businesses to wind down, tax clearance certificates to obtain from the Canada Revenue Agency, litigation to resolve, or difficulty locating beneficiaries. However, an executor who delays unreasonably can be held personally liable for losses caused by the delay or can be removed by the court.

Beneficiaries can bring a court application to compel an executor to pass accounts (provide a formal accounting) or to remove and replace the executor if the delay is serious. Executors should communicate regularly with beneficiaries about the status of the estate to reduce the risk of disputes.