“Title” is the legal ownership recorded on Ontario’s land registry. Changing title means changing who owns the property (and how they own it), not just who pays the mortgage.

• Joint Tenants – includes Right of Survivorship (ownership passes automatically to the survivor).

• Tenants in Common – each owner holds a stated percentage; no survivorship.

• We’ll confirm your current form of ownership and advise if a change makes sense for your goals.

• Add a spouse (refinancing, estate planning, or aligning mortgage borrowers with owners).

• Add a parent/child (estate planning, help with financing, shared responsibility).

• Add a business partner or corporation (investment or asset-protection planning).

• Remove an owner (separation/divorce buyout, estate updates, refinancing in one name).

• Clean up historic title issues (bare trustee, incorrect names, outdated interests).

• Intake & objectives – Why the change, timing, financing, and tax red flags.

• Title search & due diligence – Confirm ownership form, liens/charges, easements, Planning Act compliance.

• Consents & notices – Lender approval, spousal consent (Family Law Act, matrimonial home), co-owner consents.

• Structuring advice – Joint tenancy vs. tenants-in-common, percentages, trust/bare trustee and co-ownership agreements.

• Documents – Transfer, Acknowledgement/Direction, affidavits, statements of law, family-law or separation undertakings, Independent Legal Advice (ILA) where appropriate.

• Registration & reporting – Electronic registration (Teraview), title insurance coordination, tax/utility/MPAC notifications, updated Parcel Register.

1. Spouse

Often driven by refinancing or estate planning. Lenders usually require all borrowers to match registered owners. We’ll align title with the mortgage, set joint tenancy (if desired), and flag tax or LTT considerations.

2. Parent or Child

Useful for estate planning or financing support—but comes with risks (creditor exposure, loss of control, potential tax consequences). We’ll explain options like co-ownership agreements, use of tenants-in-common, or a bare trust where appropriate.

3. Non-related party / Corporation

Treat like a mini-purchase: define ownership shares, responsibilities, exits, and defaults. We’ll draft or review co-ownership/JV agreements and align title with your financing and insurance.

1. Spouse (Separation/Divorce)

We implement court orders or separation agreements, manage payouts and mortgage releases/assumptions, and ensure proper spousal consents and undertakings.

2. Parent/Child or Third Party

We restructure ownership for financial independence, new living arrangements, or refinancing. Where a party remained on title as a bare trustee, we’ll document and register the change to match beneficial ownership.

• Lender consent: Most mortgages prohibit title changes without written approval.

• Matrimonial home rights: You generally cannot transfer without the spouse’s consent.

• Land Transfer Tax (LTT/MLTT): May apply to consideration, including assumed mortgage amounts; some exemptions/reliefs may be available (circumstance-specific).

• Tax: Possible capital gains, attribution, and loss of principal residence exemption if you add a non-spouse owner. Coordinate with your tax advisor.

• Title insurance: Tailored endorsements for the new structure.

• ILA: Strongly recommended (and often required by lenders/courts) to reduce undue influence or conflict claims.

• Typical steps: Search → consents → draft → ILA (if needed) → register → notify parties.

• Turnaround: We schedule to your financing/closing date; rush options available when documents/consents are ready.

Do I need a lawyer for a title transfer?

Yes—Ontario requires lawyer registration for land transfers, and lenders/title insurers will insist on it.

Will I pay Land Transfer Tax?

It depends on the consideration (including mortgage assumed) and whether a specific relief/exemption applies. We’ll assess and structure accordingly. Toronto properties may also trigger MLTT.

Should we choose joint tenancy or tenants-in-common?

It depends on estate goals, family-law risks, creditor exposure, and fairness among beneficiaries. We’ll map pros/cons and set the right structure.

Do I need Independent Legal Advice (ILA)?

If value is shifting (e.g., transfer for $0, family transactions, separation, guarantees), ILA is often prudent or required.