Title Transfer Lawyer

When you transfer title to property in Ontario, your lawyer handles the legal work to add, remove, or change ownership without a traditional sale, ensuring the transfer is done correctly and all legal requirements are met.

Zachary Soccio-Marandola is an experienced title transfer lawyer in Toronto.

What a Title Transfer Lawyer Does in Ontario

Transferring title involves changing property ownership without a traditional purchase and sale. Here's what we handle at each stage of the closing process:

Before the Transfer: Reviewing Documents and Searching Title

Our first step is to review the documentation authorizing the transfer, if applicable — such as a separation agreement, court order, estate paperwork, trust documents, or a gift declaration. We need to understand what's triggering the ownership change.

We then search title to confirm current ownership, identify any liens, mortgages, or encumbrances registered against the property, and determine what needs to be addressed before the transfer. If there's an existing mortgage on the property, we coordinate with the lender to obtain their consent for the transfer or arrange for a mortgage assumption or discharge depending on the circumstances.

We also identify potential land transfer tax implications. Some transfers qualify for exemptions (spousal transfers, certain family transfers, estate transfers with first dealing exemptions), while others trigger full land transfer tax. We explain what applies to your situation and calculate the tax owing if applicable.

As the transfer date approaches, we prepare all required documents — the Transfer of Land, affidavits, survivorship applications (if applicable), lender consent forms, and any supporting documentation required for registration. We arrange your signing appointment (in-office or virtual) and walk you through every document, explaining what the transfer means for ownership and ongoing obligations.

Transfer Day: Registering the Change in Ownership

On the day of registration, we register the Transfer of Land with the Land Registry Office, update title to reflect the new ownership structure, register any mortgage assumptions or discharges if applicable, pay any land transfer tax owing, and confirm the transfer is properly recorded. If funds are changing hands (such as in a buyout scenario), we handle the transfer through our trust account.

After Registration: Confirming Title and Final Steps

After registration, we confirm title is updated correctly, all parties are properly reflected as owners, any required discharges or assumptions are filed, and provide you with copies of all registered documents. If any post-closing issues arise — registration errors or missing documentation — we handle them.

Title Transfer Closing Costs in Ontario

When you transfer title in Ontario, your closing costs depend on the type of transfer and whether land transfer tax applies. Here's what you'll typically pay:

Legal Fees

Your legal fee covers our representation throughout the transfer — reviewing authorization documents, title search, preparing the Transfer of Land and supporting affidavits, coordinating with mortgage lenders (if applicable), calculating land transfer tax, and registering the transfer. We include all office disbursements in our price: title searches, execution searches, software costs, and administration fees. Transfers involving estates, trusts, corporations, or multiple parties may involve additional work.

Land Transfer Tax

Land transfer tax may apply to title transfers depending on the circumstances. The tax is calculated based on consideration paid, or in some cases, the value of any outstanding mortgages. There are many exemptions available for property title transfers.

We determine whether an exemption applies and calculate the exact tax owing (if any) before registration.

Registration Fees

The government charges $85 per document registered on title (as of 2026). A typical title transfer involves one registration ($85), though transfers with mortgage assumptions or additional documents may incur additional fees.

Choosing a Title Transfer Lawyer in Ontario

Not all real estate lawyers operate the same way. Here's what matters when you're choosing a lawyer to handle your title transfer:

Who actually works on your file?

Most real estate transactions are handled by a team — a lawyer and a clerk working together. That's normal and efficient. What matters is knowing who your lawyer is and who makes decisions when problems arise. Ask upfront: who's my lawyer, and who handles my file day-to-day? You should know who to reach when you need answers or advocacy.

We're a small team. You'll know your lawyer from the start, and you'll have direct access throughout the transaction. When issues come up, you're talking to the person who makes decisions on your file.

How do they communicate?

Responsiveness matters more than people realize. When you have questions about your closing, you shouldn't be waiting days for a callback. You need to know how the lawyer communicates — do they respond to emails same-day? Are they easy to reach by phone?

The best way to test this is before you hire them. Reach out for a quote or ask a question about the closing process. You'll see very quickly how they communicate.

Is real estate law their focus?

There are general practitioners who handle real estate deals on the side. The promise of a lower fee might be appealing, but experience shows when problems arise. Someone who closes a few deals a month operates differently than someone who closes deals every day.

We work exclusively on residential real estate law in Ontario. Purchases, sales, refinances, and title transfers — that's all we do. When issues come up, we've seen them before.

What does their pricing include?

Ask if their quote is all-inclusive or "plus disbursements." Some lawyers quote a base legal fee, then add on separate charges for title searches, status certificate reviews, document fees, and administrative costs. By the time you close, the final bill is significantly higher than the original quote.

We provide all-inclusive pricing. Our legal fee includes all office disbursements — title searches, status certificate review, execution searches, software fees, tax certificates, and administration costs. You get one number upfront, and that's what you pay.

Next Steps: Hiring a Title Transfer Lawyer

Looking to hire a lawyer for your title transfer? Here's what to do:

1. Get an Accurate Quote
   Use our legal fee calculator to get an instant estimate of your legal fees and total closing costs based on your transfer type. The calculator provides a detailed breakdown so you can budget accurately.
2. Respond to the Email Quote or Call Us
   Let us know you'd like to proceed and we'll send out our Retainer Agreement.
3. We Handle the Rest
   Once you retain us, we take care of the legal work and keep you updated throughout the process. You'll know where things stand at every stage.

Contact Us

If you have questions about your title transfer closing or any other real estate legal matter, we're here to help. As real estate law specialists, our mission is to provide the clarity and direction you need to protect your property rights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)