A Declaration of Intention to Transfer Property on Death is a Canadian legal document that records a property owner’s intention to transfer real property to a designated beneficiary upon the owner’s death. Unlike in approximately 30 American states that recognize Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs), Canada does not have legislation permitting property to be transferred directly to a beneficiary through a deed that takes effect upon death.

In Canada, the primary mechanisms for transferring property upon death are: (1) joint tenancy with right of survivorship, where the property automatically passes to the surviving joint tenant outside the estate; (2) testamentary gifts through a Last Will and Testament, where the property passes through the estate and is subject to probate; and (3) trusts, either inter vivos (living) trusts or testamentary trusts, which can hold property for a beneficiary’s benefit.

This declaration does not itself transfer ownership. Instead, it serves as a formal record of the owner’s intention, instructions to the owner’s legal counsel and executor, and evidence of the chosen transfer method. It is particularly useful for estate planning purposes, as it provides clear documentation of the owner’s wishes that can guide the executor or trustee in administering the estate. The document should be prepared in conjunction with a qualified estate planning lawyer who can advise on the most appropriate transfer method given the owner’s circumstances, including tax implications under the Income Tax Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. 1, 5th Supp.) and provincial probate legislation.

This declaration is needed whenever a Canadian property owner wants to formalize their intention to transfer real property to a specific beneficiary upon death. It is particularly valuable when the owner has not yet executed a will or trust, or when the owner wants a standalone document that clearly identifies the intended recipient and the chosen transfer mechanism.

Common scenarios include parents who wish to ensure their family home passes to a specific child, property owners who want to avoid probate fees by establishing joint tenancy but need to document their intention first, individuals who own multiple properties and want to designate different beneficiaries for each, and estate planning situations where the owner is considering the tax implications of different transfer methods.

The declaration is also useful when the owner wants to establish a clear record of their intention before consulting a lawyer about the formal implementation steps. In Pecore v. Pecore [2007] 1 S.C.R. 795, the Supreme Court of Canada emphasized the importance of documenting the transferor’s intention when adding an adult child to title as a joint tenant, as there is a presumption of resulting trust that must be rebutted with evidence of a genuine gift intention. This declaration can serve as valuable evidence of that intention.

Provincial considerations include the fact that Quebec does not recognize joint tenancy with right of survivorship under the Civil Code of Quebec, requiring alternative arrangements such as testamentary bequests. In all provinces, the Income Tax Act deems a disposition at fair market value on death, making the principal residence exemption under section 40(2)(b) a critical tax planning consideration.

Every Canadian Declaration of Intention to Transfer Property on Death must clearly identify the property owner with their full legal name and address, along with a complete legal description of the property matching the registered certificate of title. The Property Identification Number (PIN) in Ontario or Parcel Identifier (PID) in British Columbia should be included to ensure precise identification.

The designated beneficiary must be identified with full legal name, relationship to the owner, and contact address. The relationship designation is important because transfers to spouses and common-law partners receive preferential tax treatment under the Income Tax Act, including rollover at adjusted cost base rather than deemed disposition at fair market value.

The transfer method is a critical choice. Joint tenancy avoids probate but creates an immediate co-ownership interest that can be vulnerable to the beneficiary’s creditors. Testamentary gifts through a will are subject to probate fees but provide maximum flexibility. Trusts offer both probate avoidance and creditor protection but involve ongoing administration costs.

An alternate beneficiary provision addresses the scenario where the primary beneficiary predeceases the owner. This is analogous to the alternate executor concept in wills and ensures the property is not left without a designated recipient.

The declaration must include an important notice explaining that this document does not itself transfer ownership and that additional legal steps are required. The governing law clause should reference the province where the property is located. The Ontario Estate Administration Tax Act (S.O. 1998, c. 34), British Columbia Probate Fee Act (S.B.C. 1999, c. 4), and equivalent provincial legislation determine the probate costs that may apply depending on the chosen transfer method.