Ontario legal services
Expert legal advice with passion and compassion
We understand that legal issues can be uncomfortable and stressful. Our approach is to give each client our undivided attention and treat them with care and respect. We pride ourselves on providing professional legal counsel and exceptional client service. We also dig deep to understand the issues our clients are going through and provide the tactical and emotional support they need to overcome the challenges they face.
We provide expert legal services for a wide range of real estate transactions, from residential purchases and sales to sophisticated financing and development projects. Trust Jenna Lee Law to provide you with knowledgeable insight and legal advice from start to finish.
- Purchase and sale of residential property
- Draft and negotiate residential leases
- Draft and negotiate commercial leases
- Mortgage refinancing
- Transfer of title
- Review agreement of purchase and sale
Our corporate and commercial lawyers provide knowledgeable assistance and advice in the formation and administration of a wide range of business types. Contact us today and we can help provide experienced counsel on your corporate and commercial law requirements.
- Incorporation (professional, federal and provincial)
- Shareholder agreements
- Review commercial contracts
Our family lawyers are exceptionally well-versed in helping to negotiate issues such as separation, divorce, paternity and custody. Our approach is to try and achieve a peaceful resolution outside of court. However, if going to court is necessary, we are soundly in your corner and dedicated to getting the best possible resolution for you and your children.
- Divorce or separation
- Child custody
- Child access
- Division of assets
Immigration can be a confusing and overwhelming process. Immigration involves several complex steps and a razor-sharp attention to detail in all the documentation and paperwork that has to be processed. Trust the Jenna Lee Law team to help take the stress and frustration off your shoulders. We are delighted to offer our immigration law services in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.
- Visa and work permits
- Express entry
- Family sponsorship
- Rehabilitation
- Citizenship applications
- LMIA
- PR Pathway
- OINP
It’s extremely important to have an estate plan in place to ensure your assets go to your loved ones. Our wills and estate planning services will help reduce your taxes upon death and minimize the financial burden placed on your family.
- Preparation of wills
- Power of attorney for property
- Power of attorney for personal care
- Update and amendment of existing wills
- Probate and estate administration
- Trusts
We are licenced by the Government of Ontario to provide a range of notary services. These services consist primarily in witnessing the signature of important documents. This includes verifying the identity of the individual signing the document and ensuring the signing was not provided under duress. Please ensure you bring legal proof of your identity to your notary appointment.
- Birth certificates
- Passports
- Marriage/divorce
- Criminal records
- POA declarations
- Death certificates
- Personal records
Frequently Asked Questions
Real estate (legal process)
Q. Why do I need a lawyer when buying property in Canada?
A. In Ontario, closing is the final stage of a real estate transaction, where legal title is transferred and funds are settled at the same time. A lawyer handles the transfer of title, the title search, and the review of mortgage documents. At Jenna Lee Law, we go beyond the legal steps to also review tax matters such as HST rebate eligibility and CRA requirements, identifying potential legal and tax risks in the transaction in advance.
Q. How much are the closing costs when buying a property?
A. When buying a property, in addition to the purchase price you may incur closing costs such as Land Transfer Tax, legal fees, registration costs, title insurance, and adjustments (for property taxes, maintenance fees, and the like). The actual amount varies depending on the price, location, mortgage terms, and whether you are a first-time buyer. It is important to confirm the expected costs accurately before the transaction so that you can plan your budget.
Q. Why is title insurance necessary?
A. Title insurance protects the owner against unexpected problems relating to property ownership – for example, prior ownership issues, registration errors, fraud, and boundary disputes. Most lenders also require title insurance when arranging a mortgage, making it one of the important safeguards in a real estate transaction.
Business & corporate law
Q. What should I pay particular attention to when signing a commercial lease?
A. A commercial lease involves many elements – the term, rent-escalation provisions, maintenance responsibilities, option clauses, and more – that have a direct and long-term impact on how you run your business. If the terms are drafted unfavourably, they can lead to disputes later, so it is important to have the key provisions reviewed legally before you sign.
Q. When do I need to register a Business Number (BN), an HST Account, and a Payroll Account when starting a business?
A. When you start a business, you may need to register accounts with the CRA depending on how you operate. The Business Number (BN) is the basic tax identifier for the business; an HST Account is needed where HST filing is required; and a Payroll Account must be registered before you hire employees. Setting up the right registrations and tax structure at the early stage helps reduce filing omissions and tax risk down the road. At Jenna Lee Law, we guide you through everything from incorporation to CRA account registration and help you put the right structure in place from the outset.
Q. Is it better to change my sole proprietorship into a corporation?
A. Whether a sole proprietorship or a corporation is the better fit depends on the size of the business, its income, the scope of liability, and your future plans. A corporation separates the business’s legal liability from your personal liability and can offer certain tax advantages, but it also brings incorporation and ongoing maintenance obligations. It therefore takes careful review to choose the structure that suits your situation.
Q. What should I consider when incorporating in Ontario?
A. When incorporating, you should review the business purpose, the shareholder composition, the appointment of directors, the share structure, the choice of corporate name, tax planning, and your future investment and succession plans. In particular, if the share structure and the rights and obligations among shareholders are not designed properly at the outset, unexpected disputes or tax issues can arise later when you expand the business, raise investment, or transfer shares. For that reason, it is important to review not only the incorporation documents but also the shareholders’ agreement and the tax structure together.
Wills & estates
Q. When should I make a will in Ontario?
A. It is a good idea to review your will when there is a significant change in your life, such as marriage, the birth of a child, the purchase of property, running a business, or holding assets abroad.
Q. What problems can arise if I do not have a will?
A. If you die without a will, your assets are distributed under Ontario’s Succession Law Reform Act, which may mean your assets are dealt with in a way you would not have wanted and the administrative process becomes very complex. In particular, it becomes impossible to name a guardian for minor children, make gifts, or leave specific bequests. At Jenna Lee Law, we prepare a will that reflects your intentions, and we also explain in detail the appointment of an executor and the tax responsibilities that come with it.
Q. I have assets in both Canada and another country - how should I prepare my will?
A. Where you hold assets abroad, the inheritance laws and tax laws of each country may apply at the same time. Depending on the location and type of the assets, you may need a separate will, and without proper planning the estate process can become complicated or result in unnecessary tax. When you hold overseas assets, it is important to review the laws and tax implications of each country together.
Family law
Q. How are property division and tax connected in a divorce or separation?
A. Property division is more than a simple legal agreement; unless a spousal rollover applies, it can involve various tax issues such as potential capital gains tax. If tax is not properly considered when drafting a separation agreement, unexpected tax burdens can arise later. Our firm reviews both the legal soundness of the property division and the associated tax risks in advance, reducing the potential for disputes.
Q. How does a prenuptial agreement help protect assets?
A. A prenuptial agreement is not simply a document for preparing against divorce; it is an asset-management plan that prevents the commingling of assets that can occur during a marriage. It is especially essential for business owners and those with inherited assets. We review your circumstances and design the agreement to be legally effective while also taking into account the tax risks that may arise in the future.
Q. Can my spouse sell our home without my knowledge?
A. If the property qualifies as a matrimonial home under Ontario law, a spouse is generally restricted from unilaterally selling it or using it as security without the other spouse’s consent. Moreover, even if the property is registered in one spouse’s name, the other spouse’s rights may be protected during separation or divorce. If you anticipate an issue with the disposal of property, it is important to seek legal advice promptly.
Immigration
Q. Can I reapply after my Canadian visa or permanent residence application is refused?
A. Yes, you can. However, rather than simply resubmitting the same documents, it is important to understand the reasons for the previous refusal and the concerns raised during the assessment, and to address them. Depending on the case, we can also consider whether there are options other than reapplying.
Q. I am a Canadian permanent resident but have lived abroad for a long time - can I keep my status?
A. A Canadian permanent resident must meet residency requirements within Canada for a certain period, and whether the status can be maintained depends on the length of and reasons for time spent abroad. It is important to review individual circumstances – your record of time abroad, family ties, and work situation – to determine whether the status can be kept and what steps may be needed.
Notarization
Q. Do you also provide simple notarization services?
A. Yes. We provide a range of notarization services – for powers of attorney, declarations, degree certificates, documents for submission abroad, identity-verification documents, and more – certifying documents in accordance with the required form and procedure
Q. Do all documents submitted abroad require notarization?
A. Not all documents require notarization; it depends on the requirements of the receiving country and institution. Powers of attorney, consent forms, and identity-verification documents commonly require notarization, while some documents may additionally require an apostille or a certified translation. It is important to confirm the certification required for your purpose and then proceed in the appropriate manner.
Q. What makes Jenna Lee Law different?
A. At Jenna Lee Law, you are advised directly by a principal lawyer who is also a qualified CPA. We review not only the legal issues but also their tax implications, so that we can offer a more complete solution.
Let’s get started with a consultation
Whether you’re looking for legal advice, expert tax and accounting services or interested in an integrated solution for all your personal and business needs, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
