Ontario Business Incorporation

Incorporation Lawyer in Ontario

Basic Ontario or federal incorporation starts at $1,500 + HST, inclusive of disbursements and your minute book. Timing depends on the details of your filing, but many standard incorporations are completed within 3-5 business days of receiving the required information.

★★★★★ 5.0 Google Serving Ontario Since 2012

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Tell us what you need. We'll respond within 1 business day.

What do you need help with?

We focus on non-contentious, document-driven legal work for businesses and entrepreneurs. We do not handle disputes, litigation, or court matters. If your matter is dispute-related, we can help point you toward the right next step. You can also search the Law Society directory.

You'll hear from Madaline's team within 1 business day.

Law Society of Ontario

Nearly 20 Years in Legal

5.0 Google Rating

NOTL + Greater Niagara Chamber Member

What We Do

Ontario Business Incorporation, Done Right

Getting incorporated is the foundation. Online incorporation platforms may file your articles for less, but they do not replace tailored legal support when you need help setting up your company properly. A basic Ontario or federal incorporation at Zannes Law starts at $1,500 + HST and includes core filing work, disbursements, and your minute book. If you need additional help with ownership structure, founder terms, or a shareholder agreement, we can scope that separately based on your situation. Whether you need a lawyer to incorporate your business in Ontario for the first time, or you're moving from sole proprietorship to incorporation, we handle the filing and the setup so your corporate structure is documented correctly from the start.

Ontario Business Incorporation

We handle your Articles of Incorporation, corporate name search, registered office, initial resolutions, and all CRA and provincial registration requirements. If you are looking for an articles of incorporation lawyer in Ontario, this is the work we do.

Shareholder Agreements

If your business has more than one shareholder, a shareholders' agreement is often an important next step. Where needed, we draft them clearly to address ownership, decision-making, buyout rights, and what happens if the business relationship changes.

Post-Incorporation Setup

After incorporation, we set up your minute book, issue shares, and prepare your organizational resolutions, so there are no ownership questions when you bring on investors or sign your first major contract.

Why Zannes Law Firm?

Online platforms will file your articles. They won't do the rest.

Feature	Online Platform	Other Law Firms	Zannes Law Firm
Articles of Incorporation
Government fees included
NUANS Business Name Search
Corporate minute book		Extra cost
Post-incorporation structure advice		Rarely
Business lawyer after incorporation
Price	~$499	$2,000–$4,000+	Starting at$1,500 + HST

Starting at

$1,500 + HST

Flat-fee basic Ontario or federal incorporation

What the base package includes:

Articles of Incorporation filed with the province or federally
Required filing and disbursement handling
Corporate minute book prepared and delivered
Initial organizational documents and share issuance
CRA and registration guidance
Access to a business lawyer who knows your company

Additional structuring, shareholder agreement drafting, and other custom corporate work can be scoped separately where needed.

Timing depends on the details of the filing and how quickly we receive the required information, but many standard incorporations are completed within 3-5 business days. Scope and fees confirmed before we start.

Practice area note: We focus on non-contentious, document-driven legal work for businesses and entrepreneurs. We do not handle disputes, litigation, or court matters. If your matter is dispute-related, we can help point you toward the right next step.

Client Reviews

What Ontario Clients Say

★★★★★

“Madaline and the team at Zannes Law were exceptional. They helped me navigate a complex business matter with professionalism and care. I felt supported every step of the way. I highly recommend Zannes Law to any business owner in the Niagara region.”

Kathy Weiss

Executive Director, NOTL Chamber of Commerce

★★★★★

“Working with Madaline was an incredible experience. As a business owner, I needed someone knowledgeable about contracts and IP. She was thorough, approachable, and made what felt overwhelming very manageable.”

Britt Holmes

Founder, Merit Media

★★★★★

“For the past two years I have had an excellent experience working with Zannes Law for my business contract needs. Madaline is very detailed and an expert in her field. She has been a valuable legal advisor for all of my business and IP matters.”

Affan Imran

Founder, Fantastic Day

An hour with a lawyer before you incorporate is cheaper than restructuring a year in.

Join the Niagara business owners who trust Zannes Law Firms.

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Our Process

Simple. Transparent. Yours.

Working with a lawyer shouldn't be complicated. Here's exactly what happens when you reach out.

Reach Out

Send us a short message through the form, or pick a time on our intake calendar. No pressure, no commitment. We'll confirm this is the right fit and outline your options.

We Build Your Legal Plan

Our team reviews your inquiry and confirms the appropriate next step, scope, and fee options in writing before substantive work begins.

Protect Your Business

We execute on your legal needs efficiently, keeping you informed every step, whether in-person, virtual, or mobile.

Flat-fee and monthly billing options available.

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Tell Us What You Need

We'll match you with the right service and respond within 1 business day.

What do you need help with?

It sounds like you may need litigation or dispute support, which falls outside our practice area. We focus on transactional business law. We suggest using the Law Society of Ontario online directory, and select “search for a paralegal or a litigation lawyer”. These are the legal professionals who would be able to help with this type of matter.

The reason why this is the best step is because you would need to share the entire situation over again with a litigation lawyer potentially later, so it's best to start your matter at the firm that may potentially deal with your dispute directly and save money and time.

Please check their online reviews to decide which person is the right fit. For potentially lower costs, reach out to a paralegal first to see if they can handle this matter for you and at what cost. Visit Law Society of Ontario directory of paralegals and lawyers.

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★★★★★

“Madaline is knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely cares about her clients' success. She took the time to understand my business and provided tailored legal advice that made a real difference. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Zannes Law to any entrepreneur in the Niagara region.”

Emily

Niagara Artist & Musician

5.0

★★★★★

5.0 Star Google Reviews

Madaline Zannes

Principal Lawyer & Founder

Madaline graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and has advised Ontario businesses since 2012. Most of her work happens at the founding stage, when two people decide to start something together and need to agree on who owns what before the money or the disagreements show up. The clients who settle their share structure and shareholder agreement early are the ones who avoid renegotiating ownership later, when a co-founder leaves or an investor wants terms.

Osgoode Hall J.D. Law Society of Ontario Since 2012 Greek America 40 Under 40 Metaverse Bar Association

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does incorporation cost?

Basic Ontario or federal incorporation starts at $1,500 + HST. That starting price includes the core incorporation filing work, disbursements, and your minute book. If you need additional work such as a shareholder agreement or more customized structuring support, we confirm that scope and pricing separately before we begin.

How long does it take to incorporate a business in Ontario?

Timing depends on the details of the filing and how quickly we receive the required information. For many standard incorporations, we can complete the filing within 2-3 business days.

What is the difference between a federal and provincial incorporation in Ontario?

An Ontario incorporation is often a practical choice for businesses operating primarily in Ontario. A federal incorporation may make sense if broader name protection or a wider national footprint is important. Once we understand your plans, we can confirm which option is the better fit for your situation.

What is included in a basic incorporation package?

A basic incorporation package typically includes the core incorporation filing work, disbursements, your minute book, and the initial organizational documentation needed to get the corporation set up properly. If you need additional work beyond that base setup, we can scope it separately.

Is a shareholder agreement included?

Not always. A shareholder agreement is often an important next step for companies with more than one owner, but it is not automatically part of every basic incorporation. If you need one, we can scope and price that work separately.

What is the difference between a sole proprietorship and incorporation in Ontario?

A sole proprietorship is simpler to set up but offers no separation between you and your business. If the business is sued or has debts, your personal assets are at risk. Incorporating creates a separate legal entity, which limits that personal liability and can offer tax advantages as your income grows. Most of our clients incorporate when they start taking on contracts, hiring people, or bringing in a business partner. That is usually the point where the protection matters.

How do I incorporate a small business in Ontario?

The basic steps are choosing a name or number company, filing Articles of Incorporation with the province or federally, setting up your corporate minute book, issuing shares, and registering with the CRA. We handle all of that for you. Most clients come to us with a business name and a general idea of their ownership structure, and we take it from there. Basic Ontario or federal incorporation starts at $1,500 + HST.

Do I need a lawyer to incorporate in Ontario?

You are not legally required to use a lawyer, but the legal setup around incorporation often matters most at the beginning. A properly structured incorporation can help avoid ownership, governance, and documentation problems later on.

Can I meet virtually or do I need to come to your office?

Both work. We can meet in person, by video, or by phone depending on what is most convenient for you.

What if my issue involves a dispute or lawsuit?

We focus on non-contentious, document-driven legal work and do not handle litigation or dispute matters. If the issue is dispute-related, we can help point you toward the right next step.

Ready to incorporate? The first step is a 15-minute call.

No obligation. Flat-fee options available.

Get In Touch

Monday–Friday · 242 Mary St, Unit 8, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Get In Touch

Incorporation Lawyer in Ontario

Get In Touch

Ontario Business Incorporation, Done Right

Ontario Business Incorporation

Shareholder Agreements

Post-Incorporation Setup

Why Zannes Law Firm?

What Ontario Clients Say

An hour with a lawyer before you incorporate is cheaper than restructuring a year in.

Simple. Transparent. Yours.

Reach Out

We Build Your Legal Plan

Protect Your Business

Tell Us What You Need

About Madaline Zannes

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to incorporate? The first step is a 15-minute call.