Deceased’s common-law spouse wins joint account battle against step-children
October 5, 2023
Testators should document their intentions when they set up joint bank accounts if they want to avoid a future estate battle
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Stepfamily growth calls for estate planning action
September 26, 2023
Estate planning should be a priority for Canada’s growing stepfamily population. With more and more people finding relationship success at
Will ambiguity fuels estate litigation between siblings
September 22, 2023
Testamentary ambiguity is often the spark that ignites a court battle after the death of a loved one. Across the
Over-55s lagging on estate plans
August 30, 2023
There’s no need to wait until retirement to get a will in place. According to a new poll by Angus
Pre-death will challenge is premature
August 25, 2023
In my long career in estates law, I have learned to spot which wills are most likely to end up
Specific, not standardized language best for revoking beneficiary designations
August 3, 2023
Testators need to get specific if they want their will to revoke their beneficiary designations, according to Ontario’s Court of Appeal.
Age no barrier to a dependant’s support claim from children
July 27, 2023
When it comes to your estate, your kids don’t need to be minor to be dependants. Ontario’s Succession Law Reform
Lost will forces family to go to court for probate
July 21, 2023
Drafting your will is just the first step in the estate planning process. The second, (often-overlooked) stage involves keeping the
Overcoming taboos with advance care planning
July 4, 2023
Advance care planning can help people break the silence around end-of-life care. While societal attitudes towards sex and money have
Rare POA theft charge highlights potential for abuse
June 30, 2023
The recent arrest of a Thunder Bay man shows there are limits to the authority granted by a power of attorney
$1.9-million estate goes unclaimed in B.C.
June 16, 2023
Normally when I write about a multi-million-dollar estate, it’s in the context of an ugly fight between the beneficiaries of
Court allows son to pay 1985 price for farmland set in mother’s will
May 26, 2023
Anyone who has been shopping for groceries has had a recent reminder of the powerful effect of inflation. The purchasing