One of the more common reasons people tell me they don’t want a will is that it’s a “waste of money." But a recent ruling delivers a powerful counter-argument, demonstrating…
Renting property to family can get awkward quickly, but things could get even messier for your heirs unless you’ve documented the arrangement. Pick an estate disputes at random from the…
Sharing property with your children has its pros and cons. On the one hand, there are very good estate planning reasons for owning property jointly with a beneficiary, since it…
It’s time to close the POA gap. That’s the name I give to the persistently lagging uptake levels for powers of attorney compared with wills. Surveys of Canadians consistently find…
If there’s anything worse than a do-it-yourself will, it’s one written in a rush. I understand the money-saving draw of will kits – a longtime staple at stationers across the…
Ontario estates law may have caught up with common sense on the property rights of separated spouses after a landmark amendment finally took full effect. Section 17 of the Succession…
Don’t let the power (of attorney) go to your head. Unless they’re in the business of wills and estates, appointees under a power of attorney for property are often surprised…
An Alberta widow has scored a big win for taxpayers and estate planners across the country after fighting off a claim by the Canada Revenue Agency against her deceased husband’s…
Nothing stirs up old sibling rivalries like the death of a parent. In my line of work, it’s not uncommon to see brothers and sisters in their 50s and 60s…
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, Canadians are finding it easier than ever to procrastinate on making a will. Parents and their children struggling with higher rents and rising inflation understandably…
