For Sellers
1) What does my lawyer do when I sell?
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Reviews the deal and amendments
Prepares seller closing documents
Handles title and payout issues
Arranges mortgage discharge
Receives sale proceeds
Pays out amounts owing from closing funds
Finalizes legal transfer to the buyer
For a straightforward Ontario sale, a realistic legal fee range is about $1,000 to $1,600, plus HST and disbursements; one Sarnia office advertising transparent pricing publicly shows $999 plus taxes for a sale, which tells you the lower end is possible but not guaranteed everywhere.
Quick tips
Send the full deal package right away
Mention mortgages, LOCs, tenants, estate issues, or title problems early
Ask for a net proceeds estimate before closing
2) When should a seller hire a lawyer?
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Right after the property is sold
Sooner if the sale involves:
tenants
separation
estate matters
corporation ownership
power of attorney
title problems
Quick tips
The earlier the lawyer sees it, the better
Do not wait for a problem to appear
Problems love a last-minute entrance
3) What documents and information does my lawyer need?
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Usually:
Agreement of Purchase and Sale and amendments
government ID
mortgage details
property tax details
condo information if applicable
tenancy documents if rented
estate or corporate documents if applicable
Quick tips
Mention name changes or ownership issues early
If tenanted, send the lease and rent details
Clean paperwork saves headaches
4) What gets paid out of my sale proceeds?
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Common payouts:
mortgage balance
mortgage discharge fees
registered line of credit on title
legal fees and disbursements
HST on legal fees
real estate commission
adjustments owing
For budgeting:
legal fees: roughly $1,000 to $1,600 is a realistic Ontario seller range
HST gets added on top
disbursements: the older public Lambton reference is about $200 to $300 on a sale
practical seller legal bill for a straightforward deal is often around $1,300 to $2,100, before any mortgage penalty or lender-specific discharge costs
Quick tips
Ask for a net sheet before closing
Do not assume your bank balance math is correct
Registered LOCs can sit on title quietly and be annoying later
5) Do I need to leave the home empty and in the same condition?
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Usually yes, unless the agreement says otherwise
Included items stay
Excluded items go
The home should be left in the agreed condition on closing
Quick tips
Leave it broom-swept!
Do not swap fixtures after signing
Take photos after move-out
6) What is a statement of adjustments?
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It is the closing math sheet showing credits and charges, such as:
property taxes
condo fees
rent
fuel
deposits
agreed credits or holdbacks
Quick tips
Review every line
Make sure the deposit and credits match the contract
Tiny math mistakes become loud problems fast
7) What happens to my mortgage when I sell?
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Your mortgage is usually paid out from sale proceeds on closing
The lender provides a payout statement
There may be discharge fees
There may be a prepayment penalty depending on your mortgage terms
There is no standard mortgage discharge fee list; this part depends on your lender and mortgage product, not your lawyer’s mood that day
Quick tips
Ask your lender for an estimate early
Payout is not always the same as current balance
Mortgage penalties have a talent for ruining a good mood
8) Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell?
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Maybe
If the property was solely your principal residence for every year you owned it, the gain is usually exempt
If it was a rental, partly rented, or not your principal residence for all years, tax may apply
Quick tips
Ask your accountant early
Keep renovation and purchase records
This is not a guess-and-hope category
9) What if I am selling an estate property?
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The person signing must have legal authority to sell
Estate documents may be needed
Some estate sales need probate or an estate certificate before closing can move ahead
Quick tips
Confirm signing authority before accepting an offer
Family agreement is not the same as legal authority
Estate files usually need more time and more paper
10) When do I hand over the keys?
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On closing day, but usually you hand them to your lawyer a day in advance and leave the rest on the kitchen counter when you leave the house.
Buyer gets them Only after the deal is legally completed
Not early
Not because the buyer is already parked outside like they own the place
Quick tips
Be fully out on closing day (before noon!!) unless the agreement says otherwise
Leave all keys, remotes, fobs, and codes
Do one final walkthrough before leaving
