Melanie Yach

Melanie is a dedicated expert in estates and trusts law. Her personal approach and genuine desire to understand her clients’ individual circumstances allow Melanie to provide strategic, tailored advice. She is focused on providing practical solutions that address her clients' personal and financial needs.

A member of the Trusts & Estates Group and Co-Leader of the Estate Litigation Group, Melanie's practice covers all areas of estates and trusts, including estate planning and estate administration, with a particular focus on litigation involving trusts, estates and capacity issues. She also has many years of experience in corporate/commercial litigation. Melanie’s practice extends beyond representing individuals and families to advising trust companies. She also serves as a third-party mediator in estates, trusts and/or capacity disputes.

As a frequent speaker and writer on estates and trusts topics, Melanie presents at, and sometimes chairs, programs for professional and educational organizations, including the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Bar Association and The Advocates' Society. She served as editor of and contributor to Key Developments in Trusts and Estates Law, which was published annually by Canada Law Book for more than a decade. Melanie is active in the community, serving as a director of the Benefaction Foundation and past-director and advisor to the Toronto Council on Aging.

Selected Speaking Engagements

Speaker, "Practitioners' Update: Canadian Trust and Estate Law," STEP Canada 28th National Conference, June 1-2, 2026.

Chair, "End-of-Life Decision Making: MAiD and Estate Planning," Lincoln Alexander Law PD Program, April 16, 2026.

Speaker, "…Live and Let Die: Legislative Developments on Assisted Dying," STEP Bermuda Conference, October 16-17, 2025.

Chair & Speaker, "End-of-Life Decision Making: MAiD and Estate Planning," Toronto Metropolitan University, April 4, 2025.

Panellist, "New Character Alert: The Rise of Arbitration," The Advocates' Society – Mediation and Arbitration: Transforming Estates Law, December 2, 2024.

Panellist, The Will to Plan: Avoiding Conflict in Your Estate, October 22, 2024.

Speaker, OBA Trusts & Estates Law Program, April 4, 2024.

Co-Chair, "The Annotated Powers of Attorney for Property and for Personal Care 2023," The Law Society of Ontario program, January 26, 2023.

Speaker, "With the Benefit of Hindsight: Unintended Consequences of Settling a Discretionary Family Trust in the Context of an Estate Freeze," STEP Canada 24th National Conference, June 17, 2022.

Speaker, "The Escalation of Elder Abuse During COVID-19: Practical Strategies for Protecting Yourself and Loved Ones," Aird & Berlis Estates & Trusts Webinar, April 15, 2021.

Co-Chair, "The Annotated Powers of Attorney for Property and for Personal Care 2021," The Law Society of Ontario program, March 25, 2021.

Speaker, "Complex Passing of Accounts: How to Handle Multiple Years and Complex Passings," Estate Accounting and Passing of Accounts 2021, Law Society of Ontario, January 26, 2021.

Professional Activities

STEP Mental Capacity Global SIG Steering Committee Member (2019-2023)

CBA National Wills, Trusts and Estates Section, Past Chair (present), Chair (2017-2018), Vice Chair (2016-2017) and Executive Member (2014-2016)

Steering Committee of CBA Will, Estate and Trust Fundamentals for Estate Practitioners, Past Chair (October 2015-2017)

OBA Trusts and Estates Section, Past Chair (2012-2013), Vice-Chair (2011-2012) and Secretary (2010-2011)

Memberships

Canadian Bar Association (National Wills, Trusts and Estates Section)

Estate Planning Council of Toronto

Ontario Bar Association (Trusts and Estates Section)

Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP Canada)

The Advocates' Society

Community Involvement

Benefaction Foundation, Board of Directors (2016-present)

The Toronto Council on Aging, Board of Directors (2018-2024)

Leaside Curling Club, Weekend Mixed, Executive Member (2015-2023)

Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute Parent Council, Chair (2009-2011)

Macaulay Child Development Centre, Board of Directors (past)

Multiple Sclerosis Society (Ontario Division), Board of Directors (past)

Toronto Community Foundation, Professional Advisors Committee (past)

Teaching Engagements

Instructor for The Advocates' Society

Former Guest Instructor at Osgoode Law School, Intensive Trial Advocacy course

Former Sessional Instructor at Queen's Law School, "Appellate Advocacy," Fall 2007