# Independent Legal Advice for a Reverse Mortgage in Toronto > Independent legal advice for a reverse mortgage in Toronto costs about $800 to $1,200. What happens, what to bring, how to find a lawyer. No sales pressure. URL: https://torontoreversemortgage.ca/guide/independent-legal-advice-reverse-mortgage-toronto/ Learn # What does independent legal advice for a reverse mortgage cost in Toronto? What the lawyer's appointment costs, what happens in it, and how to find an independent lawyer in Toronto, including the Law Society of Ontario's free referral service. Updated September 18, 2026 · 6 minute read · Published by Dominion Lending Centres Homestead Financial The short answer Independent legal advice for a reverse mortgage in Toronto usually costs about $800 to $1,200, billed by your own lawyer, not the $300 to $500 that lender paperwork often shows. Every reverse mortgage requires it. The appointment is usually one in-person meeting at the lawyer's office, often under an hour, and the mortgage can't close without the lawyer's signed certificate. [See what your own Toronto home could provide](/estimate/): a free estimate, no sales pressure. On this page 1. [What is independent legal advice, and why does a reverse mortgage need it?](#what-is-independent-legal-advice-and-why-does-a-reverse-mortgage-need-it) 2. [How much does independent legal advice cost in Toronto?](#how-much-does-independent-legal-advice-cost-in-toronto) 3. [What happens at the independent legal advice appointment?](#what-happens-at-the-independent-legal-advice-appointment) 4. [How do you find an independent lawyer in Toronto?](#how-do-you-find-an-independent-lawyer-in-toronto) 5. [What should you ask the lawyer?](#what-should-you-ask-the-lawyer) [TorontoReverseMortgage.ca](/) answers the most common question about the lawyer’s step: what independent legal advice for a reverse mortgage costs in Toronto, and what you get for the fee. Most people get to this step after the lender has approved the mortgage and the amount has been chosen. The challenge is not usually finding a lawyer. It is knowing the fair fee, what happens at the appointment, and which lawyer is allowed to give the advice. This page covers each one, with the Law Society of Ontario’s free referral service. ## What is independent legal advice, and why does a reverse mortgage need it? Independent legal advice is a meeting with your own lawyer, who acts only for you and never for the lender. Every Canadian reverse mortgage lender requires it, and the mortgage can’t close without the lawyer’s signed certificate. The lawyer confirms that you understand the mortgage and that you’re choosing it freely. A reverse mortgage uses two lawyers where a regular refinance often uses one. On a refinance, one lawyer or closing company usually acts for both the lender and the borrower; on a reverse mortgage, the lender’s lawyer completes the closing and your own lawyer acts only for you. Independent legal advice is step six of the seven steps, after the appraisal and before closing. ## How much does independent legal advice cost in Toronto? Budget about $800 to $1,200 in Ontario, Toronto included, billed by your own lawyer. Reverse mortgage commitment letters (the lender’s approval paperwork) and lender marketing often show $300 to $500 for this line. The lender doesn’t set this fee, so its figure is only an estimate. Each lawyer sets their own fee, so ask for the total, all in, before you book. ### Two legal bills, not one Your independent legal advice is separate from the lender’s own legal costs for the closing, which lenders handle in one of two ways: | The lender’s closing costs | What it means for you | | --- | --- | | Included in the set-up fee | One legal bill: your own lawyer, for the advice | | Billed separately | About $700 through a title insurance closing service, or about $1,200 to $1,500 through a lawyer, plus your own lawyer’s bill | The lowest advertised set-up fee isn’t always the lowest total once these are added, so count them in when you compare [what a reverse mortgage costs in Toronto](/guide/reverse-mortgage-cost-toronto/). ## What happens at the independent legal advice appointment? The appointment is usually one meeting, often under an hour, at the lawyer’s office. Lenders generally want this meeting held in person; if travel to the office would be very hard for you, some lenders will agree to a video call, agreed in advance. Bring government photo ID, as many firms ask for two pieces. Everything else with Richard Hopkins, Mortgage Broker, happens by email, phone or video call, so the lawyer’s office is usually the one appointment you travel to. ### What the lawyer checks and explains In Ontario, being able to sign a contract means understanding what the contract is and how it will affect you ([Law Society of Ontario](https://lso.ca/lawyers/practice-supports-and-resources/topics/the-lawyer-client-relationship/guide-to-navigating-client-capacity-concerns)). The lawyer checks exactly that by going through: - The interest rate, the term, and what happens when the term ends - How interest is added to the balance and compounds twice a year - What makes the mortgage become due: a sale, the last borrower moving out permanently, or the last borrower passing away - What you must keep up: property taxes, home insurance, upkeep, and living in the home at least six months of the year - The charge for paying the mortgage off in the first years - What is typically called the no negative equity guarantee: you never owe more than the home’s fair market value on the day the mortgage comes due, as long as taxes, insurance and upkeep are kept up The lawyer also checks that you’re choosing freely, because Ontario lawyers must consider whether a client is being pressured by someone else. Then the lawyer signs the certificate, which the lender needs before closing. ### Family and the appointment A son or daughter can help book the appointment and get you there, but the advice is for you. When a client seems afraid of someone, or unable to decide alone, the [Law Society of Ontario’s guidance](https://lso.ca/lawyers/practice-supports-and-resources/topics/the-lawyer-client-relationship/guide-to-navigating-client-capacity-concerns) suggests the lawyer ask direct questions with that person out of the room. ## How do you find an independent lawyer in Toronto? Any independent Ontario lawyer can give the advice: one your family already uses, or one near your home. The lender’s lawyer never can. The Law Society of Ontario’s Referral Service can also give you a name, with a free first consultation of up to 30 minutes. ### The Law Society Referral Service The service is online at [findlegalhelp.ca](https://www.findlegalhelp.ca), 24 hours a day, for Ontario residents ([Law Society of Ontario](https://lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal/law-society-referral-service)). You get a lawyer’s name, phone number and a referral number. Call the office with that number, and someone should call you back within three business days to book the free consultation, by phone or in person. The free half hour is for questions about your rights and options, including what the lawyer charges; the independent legal advice itself is paid. You can ask for a lawyer who speaks a certain language, or whose office can accommodate a disability. The Law Society’s [Lawyer and Paralegal Directory](https://lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal/lawyer-and-paralegal-directory) shows whether a lawyer is licensed and practising, searchable by city, postal code or language. Choose an office that’s easy to get to, because the appointment is normally in person. A referral to an independent lawyer also comes free with a reverse mortgage arranged by Richard, anywhere in [the six parts of Toronto](/service-areas/). ## What should you ask the lawyer? Start with the fee and the appointment, then ask about the mortgage itself. Questions about the rate, the amount or which lender fits belong with the broker; questions about what you’re signing belong with the lawyer. Bring a written list covering: - The total fee, all in, for independent legal advice on a reverse mortgage - Whether they have given this advice on a reverse mortgage before - Whether they act for the lender on this mortgage in any way (the answer should be no) - Where the appointment is, how long it takes, and which ID to bring - What makes the mortgage become due, and what your family can do then - What paying it off early would cost in each of the first five years - What happens if you or your spouse moves into long-term care ([reverse mortgages and long-term care in Toronto](/guide/reverse-mortgage-long-term-care-toronto/)) The [printable reverse mortgage checklist](/resources/) lists the papers to gather and the questions to ask before you sign. ## The bottom line Budget about $800 to $1,200 for independent legal advice in Toronto, and expect one short appointment at the office of a lawyer who acts only for you. Any independent Ontario lawyer can give it, and the [Law Society Referral Service](https://lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal/law-society-referral-service) gives Ontario residents a free first consultation of up to 30 minutes. [Get a free estimate for your Toronto home](/estimate/). It's free, and there's no sales pressure. ## Questions people also ask **Can the lender's lawyer give you independent legal advice?** No. The lender's lawyer acts for the lender, so the advice has to come from a lawyer of your own. Any independent Ontario lawyer can give it, including one your family already uses. **When can independent legal advice be done by video call?** Only where getting to a lawyer's office is genuinely difficult, and only when it's agreed in advance. Lenders generally want this meeting held in person, so the normal appointment is a short visit to the lawyer's office. Say so early if travel is a problem. **Is the Law Society Referral Service free?** Yes. The online request, the referral and a first consultation of up to 30 minutes are free, according to the [Law Society of Ontario](https://lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal/law-society-referral-service). The consultation is for questions about your rights and options. The independent legal advice itself is paid, usually about $800 to $1,200, so ask the lawyer for the total fee. [ Related service Toronto reverse mortgage help How a reverse mortgage works for a Toronto home, what it costs, and why a broker who compares all four lenders costs you nothing. Read more → ](/) ## More guides for Toronto homeowners - [How much does a reverse mortgage cost in Toronto?](/guide/reverse-mortgage-cost-toronto/) - [What happens to a reverse mortgage if you move into long-term care in Toronto?](/guide/reverse-mortgage-long-term-care-toronto/) - [What are the alternatives to a reverse mortgage in Toronto?](/guide/alternatives-to-reverse-mortgage-toronto/) - [How much can a 70-year-old borrow with a reverse mortgage in Toronto?](/guide/how-much-can-a-70-year-old-borrow-toronto/) [Email this page to a family member](mailto:?subject=What%20does%20independent%20legal%20advice%20for%20a%20reverse%20mortgage%20cost%20in%20Toronto%3F&body=I%20thought%20you'd%20want%20to%20read%20this%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Ftorontoreversemortgage.ca%2Fguide%2Findependent-legal-advice-reverse-mortgage-toronto%2F) · or print it with your browser's Print button ## Sources Figures checked September 18, 2026. 1. [Law Society of Ontario, Law Society Referral Service](https://lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal/law-society-referral-service) 2. [Law Society of Ontario, Lawyer and Paralegal Directory](https://lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal/lawyer-and-paralegal-directory) 3. [Law Society of Ontario, Guide to navigating client capacity concerns (updated April 6, 2026)](https://lso.ca/lawyers/practice-supports-and-resources/topics/the-lawyer-client-relationship/guide-to-navigating-client-capacity-concerns) --- Free reverse mortgage estimate (no sales pressure): https://torontoreversemortgage.ca/estimate/ Operated by Dominion Lending Centres Homestead Financial, a mortgage brokerage licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, brokerage licence #11711. Independently Owned and Operated. TorontoReverseMortgage.ca is a website of Dominion Lending Centres Homestead Financial, not a separate brokerage. Richard Hopkins, Mortgage Broker, licence M16000896.