Bare trust reporting rules in flux
Bare trusts are getting a reporting reprieve. Beneficiaries of this common form of trust (and their lawyers) will be breathing a sigh of relief after the Canada Revenue Agency announced…
Sibling rivalry lands mother’s estate in court
Independence is a virtue when it comes to administering an estate. Considering the heavy weight of responsibility that comes with the job of executor, it’s understandable that testators reach out…
Digital asset controversy outrages online gamers
Users of a popular gaming platform are getting an introduction to the complex world of estates law and digital assets after discovering that they may not be able to pass…
Check title to avoid estate administration surprises
Performing a title search on your property as part of your estate plan could save your heirs both money and hassle. Title searches are more commonly performed as part of…
Beneficiaries duel over dual wills
Drafting one will is hard enough for most people. But for some testators, a secondary will may actually be worth the extra effort. For several decades, Ontario testators have been…
Will-making and wellness
Making a will is good for your mental health as well as your financial health. I get why so many people push estate planning to the back of their priority…
Litigation over lost will depletes ‘very modest’ estate
If you think losing your keys is frustrating, spare a thought for the children of an Ontario woman who are still fighting over their mother’s missing will, years after her death. …
Judge imposes ‘moral’ duty on estate to support deceased’s estranged son
An estate’s legal obligations are not the end of the story when it comes to supporting the deceased’s surviving children. As a recent decision demonstrates, Ontario judges can enforce a parent’s…
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.…