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Unclaimed Trust Fund

Lawyers and paralegals often hold money in trust for their clients. For example, when working on the purchase of a home, the lawyer will hold funds to cover the purchase amount, plus other incidental fees like filing charges, in their trust accounts. 

At all times, these funds are the property of the client. Most will be paid out to others to complete the transaction, and some will go to the legal professional to pay their fees. 

At the end of the transaction, there may be funds left which should be returned to the client. 

Sometimes, at the end of a case or a transaction, the lawyer or paralegal cannot find their client in order to return the funds. If they can’t find the client for a period of two years, they can, with the approval of the Law Society, transfer those funds to the Law Society.  

The Law Society holds the money so that they can return it to those who are entitled to receive it. 
If you believe that you are entitled to the return of trust money, please complete the Claimant Application Form online.

Frequently asked questions for claimants

  • How do I know if I should make a claim?

    If you have paid money to a lawyer or paralegal and they are unable to locate you to return any balance at the conclusion of their work for you -- those monies may have been paid to the Law Society's Unclaimed Trust Fund.

    The names of parties entitled to Unclaimed Trust Funds and their last known city of residence are published annually in the Ontario Gazette for funds received in the past year. (Visit https://www.ontario.ca/search/ontario-gazette and search for “unclaimed trust funds.”)

  • How do I make a claim?

    Please complete a Claimant Application Form for consideration by the Law Society. 

    Following receipt of your application form you will be invited to register for LSO Connects, the Law Society’s secure online communication channel, to provide documents, including identification. All correspondence regarding your claim will be available through LSO Connects.

  • What are trust monies?
    Money paid to lawyers and licensed paralegals is usually held in their trust accounts and is therefore referred to, for the purposes of the Unclaimed Trust Fund, as "trust monies.”
  • Am I entitled to interest?
    No. Payments are limited to the amount paid to the Society by the lawyer or paralegal on behalf of the person entitled.
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