I am an estate planning and administration lawyer and the co-founder of Nakano Smith Law Group in Oakville.  I received my LL.B. and LL.M. from Chuo University in Tokyo, and my JD and LL.M. from the University of Toronto Law School.  I was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2010 and a member of the Law Society of Ontario. I am designated as Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) by The Canadian Institute for Certified Executor Advisors.

I have been practicing the areas of estate planning and administration since 2012, and particularly for the past several years, through my positions at Pallett Valo LLP in Mississauga (2016-2021), and at Nakano Smith Law Group in Oakville (2021-present). My legal practice entails the following:

Estate Planning: I assist individuals and families on all aspects of estate planning matters. I carefully attend to each client’s needs and wishes and offer personalized estate planning solutions to ensure that my clients’ wishes be carried out smoothly in the event of death or incapacity. I advise on and prepare Wills, Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care, testamentary trusts and inter vivos trusts (including Alter Ego/Joint Partner Trusts, Family Trusts, trusts for disabled/vulnerable beneficiaries, cottage/home trusts, insurance trusts, and trust declaration for jointly held assets, etc.).

Estate Administration: I act for Executors and Estate Trustees in probate proceedings and advise Executors, Trustees and Attorneys for Property and Personal Care and assist them navigating through the administration of estates and trusts. I recognize common challenges in modern estates and craft practical solutions focusing on minimizing fiduciary’s liability and early resolution of conflict during the estate administration.

Japanese Estates: As one of the few native speakers of Japanese in the Ontario Bar, I have extensive experience in dealing with estate planning and administration issues arising in Ontario/Canada and Japan. I regularly liase with legal and accounting professionals in Japan who can assist my clients on the Japanese side.

Lastly, I am passionate about promoting estates literacy among the general public through writing articles and speaking engagements on Wills and Estates topics.