Bank forms fail to eliminate joint account confusion
Bank forms fail to eliminate joint account confusion By Lisa Laredo, principal at Laredo Law. Joint bank accounts between parents and their children are often a recipe for estate litigation. …
POA must reimburse estate for $320k in unauthorized withdrawals
For those acting under a power of attorney for property, one duty stands above all others: the fiduciary duty. Attorneys for property are granted extraordinary power under Ontario’s Substitute Decisions Act.…
Beneficiaries go to war over ring with ‘no monetary value’
The most valuable assets in the estate are not always the ones that would fetch the biggest price. Over my many years of estates law practice, I have seen plenty…
Court validates notebook entry as a will
Can a notebook entry be considered a will? In Ontario, the answer is “yes,” as a recent decision demonstrates. But it’s not an example you should follow if you want…
Continuity plans a must for small and solo businesses
If there’s one disruption sure to give small business owners nightmares, it’s the death of the proprietor. But it’s a prospect that they need to consider if they intend to properly…
Stepdaughter inherits father’s RRSP despite faulty beneficiary designation
Beneficiary designations are a way for testators to make major changes to their estate with minimum effort. Although they’re often forgotten by testators, the beneficiary designations on things like RRSPs,…
Deceased’s partner ordered to turn his dog over to estate trustee
Anyone with a pet knows that they are much more than property. But as the recent case of Rocco Jr. shows, that’s not how the law views them. According to…
Litigation costs mount as joint attorneys feud over mother’s care
Appointing multiple attorneys multiplies your risk of legal trouble. While it is possible for feuding siblings to come together in a family crisis such as a parent’s major health episode,…
Partial intestacy allows woman’s abuser to inherit from her estate
Drafting a will is just the first step towards a successful estate plan. In order for your wishes to actually be carried out after your passing, you need to check…
Police campaign targets POA theft
A police service in Alberta is doing its bit to raise awareness of thefts by power of attorney. Following a recent spate of elder abuse cases, the Edmonton Police Service…
