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How long must estate records be kept?

Several years after final distribution, to answer any CRA review or beneficiary query. Do not discard them at closing.

This is legal information only. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a lawyer.

Several years after final distribution, to answer any CRA review or beneficiary query. Do not discard them at closing.

The Canadian position

Several years after final distribution, to answer any CRA review or beneficiary query. Do not discard them at closing.

Provincial law governs the detail, so confirm the position where the estate will be administered.

The Islamic position

The fixed shares apply to the net estate after funeral expenses, debts and any bequest capped at one third.

Where a Canadian instrument has no classical counterpart, treat it as a contemporary question for a qualified scholar.

Across the madhahib

The four Sunni schools are not recorded as differing materially on this point in the sources reviewed. Where your own case turns on it, put it to a scholar of your school.

Note

This is legal information only. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a lawyer.

Citations & sources

Every factual claim on this page traces to one of the references below. Legislation and dollar thresholds change — verify against the primary source before relying on any figure.

Scholarly & institutional references
  1. Research Papers — Cambridge Muslim College
  2. Research — Cambridge Muslim College
  3. Academics — Islamic law and theology curriculum — Zaytuna College
  4. Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill
Canadian legislation & government
  1. What to do when someone has died — Canada Revenue Agency
  2. Income Tax Act, RSC 1985, c 1 (5th Supp) — Justice Laws Canada
Canadian legal commentary
  1. Multiple executors joint probate application ontario — Treadstone Law
  2. Objecting to passing of accounts ontario — Treadstone Law
  3. Executor removing court application ontario — Treadstone Law
  4. Executor step by step duties ontario — Treadstone Law
  5. Co executors deadlocked beneficiary options ontario — Treadstone Law
  6. Executor claims against estate creditor — Treadstone Law
  7. Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law