u/Big-Researcher-2813

Im located in zone 4b, I have started indoors peas, green onion, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, chives, lettuce, romaine, cauliflower, peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon, celery, cucumber, strawberries.

for flowers I have started cosmos, stocks, 4 o’clocks, zinnas, snapdragons, candytuft, marigolds, canterburys, impatiens, delphiniums, phlox, asters, sweet william, and morning glorys.

outdoors I have started in my garden carrots and red onions

I have a small plastic greenhouse outdoors, a large garden, flower beds and many pots. I am also looking to make my own hanging baskets.

I need advice on where to put what, is it safe to put things in my greenhouse overnight yet? What needs to be in the garden and what can be kept on deck? Id also appreciate any advice on how to clean out the flower beds without disrupting blooming flowers.

My mother passed away on February 2026. I lived with her and was her primary caregiver before she passed. In October 2025, she completed a newer Will through NotaryPro which named me as the sole Estate Trustee/executor and sole beneficiary of her estate. The newer Will completely excluded my siblings.

There is also an older Will from 2016 that named my sister as Estate Trustee and divided the estate between siblings. My siblings are now relying on that older Will and are contesting the 2025 Will.

The lawyer representing them repeatedly refers to the 2025 Will as an “alleged Will” and claims there are inconsistencies with it. However, the notary involved in completing the Will advised otherwise and indicated the process itself was properly completed.

The lawyer’s letter also alleges:
- that my mother lacked capacity because she had terminal lung cancer and was on pain medication,
- that I isolated or “gatekept” her from family,
- that I pressured or influenced her into changing the Will,
- that it was out of character for her to make a new Will without her long-term lawyer,
- and that I improperly handled estate funds and assets after her death.

I strongly dispute these allegations and have proof saying otherwise.

My mother intentionally changed her Will in 2025. The newer Will specifically removed my siblings entirely and named me alone. The fact that the 2025 Will is significantly different from the 2016 Will is one of the main reasons they are contesting it.

Within less than 48 hours of my mother’s passing, my sister contacted banks, insurance companies, bill providers, and other institutions claiming she was the executor under the older Will. She also had my mother’s mail forwarded to herself. Because of this confusion, the funeral home would not release the death certificate to me, so I had to order one myself through ServiceOntario and I am still waiting for it.

I am currently living in the estate home with my daughter. The lawyer’s letter demands that we vacate the home within 30 days, stop all activity relating to the estate immediately, allow my sister to administer the estate under the 2016 Will, and repay funds they allege were improperly removed from estate assets.

The letter states that if I do not comply by May 22, 2026, they intend to bring an urgent court application seeking:
- removal from the house,
- sale of the property,
- a financial accounting,
- reimbursement of estate funds,
- and legal costs against me.

The letter also contains a number of personal allegations regarding my finances, ODSP, living situation, caregiving role, household expenses, and utility accounts that I believe are misleading, incomplete, lacking context, or outright false.

I understand these are serious allegations, but from my understanding this is currently still a lawyer’s demand letter and not yet a court order or judgment. Nothing has officially been decided by a judge.

I cannot afford a litigation retainer. I have already contacted Legal Aid Ontario multiple times and they advised they cannot help me with this matter. I also contacted Pro Bono Ontario and received consultations but still do not have ongoing representation. I have been trying to find estate litigation lawyers offering payment plans, reduced retainers, or limited-scope services but it has been very difficult.

At this point I am trying to:
- understand the probate process in Ontario,
- understand what rights I have while living in the estate property,
- protect the estate assets properly,
- avoid making mistakes,
- respond appropriately to the lawyer’s letter,
- and find affordable legal help for a contested estate matter.

If anyone has experience with Ontario estate litigation, contested wills, probate disputes, allegations of undue influence, executor conflicts, or affordable legal resources, I would really appreciate any advice or guidance.

(I made a similar post yesterday which I have deleted because of some confusion, I decided to completely rewrite it providing more details, thank you so much to everyone who has responded, its helped alot, feel free to ask any questions I may have missed)

I am currently involved in an estate litigation, my mother left all assets to me as I was living with her and solely taking care of her, my siblings are trying to fight it and are going based off an old will. They have legal representation who is threatening to go to court but nothing has been officially filed.

I am also confused on the probate process, do i need to file for probate? and what happens if i cant afford it?

I also cannot afford a lawyer and legal aid has told me multiple times they are unable to help, i’ve already gotten free consultations from pro bono ontario.

Is there anyone who has any advice? I really need help.. feel free to ask questions.

edit: My sister contacted all of my mothers banks, bills, insurance, ect claiming she was executor and got all mail forwarded to her, not even 48 hours after her passing… because of that the funeral home could not give me a death certificate and i had to go through service ontario and i am still waiting on it.. can i file probate without one??